Christo Iesu (continued)
John Calvin
Philippians 3:12-17
Philippians 3:12-17
12. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
12. Non quod iam apprehenerim, aut iam perfectus sim; sequor autem, si ego quoque appreehendam, quemadmodum 361 et apprehensus sum a Christo Iesu.
13. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
13. Fratres, ego me ipsum nondum arbitror apprehendisse, unum autem, eq que retro sunt oblitus, ad ea quae ante sunt me extendens,
14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
14. Secundum scopum sequor ad palmam supernae vocataionis Dei in Christo Iesu
15. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
15. Quicunque perfecti sumus, hoc sentiamus: et si quod aliter sentitis, etiam hoc vobis Deus revelabit.
16. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
16. Caeterum quo perveniamus, ut idem sentiamus, eadem procedamus regula.
17. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
17. Simul imitatorres mei estote, fratres, et considerate eos qui sic ambulant: quemadmodum nos habetis pro exemplari.
12 Not as though I had already apprehended Paul insists upon this, that he may convince the Philippians that he thinks of nothing but Christ --- knows nothing else --- desires nothing else --- is occupied with no other subject of meditation. In connection with this, there is much weight in what he now adds --- that he himself, while he had given up all hinderances, had nevertheless not attained that object of aim, and that, on this account, he always aimed and eagerly aspired at something further. How much more was this incumbent on the Philippians, who were still far behind him?
It is asked, however, what it is that Paul says he has not yet attained? For unquestionably, so soon as we are by faith ingrafted into the body of Christ, we have already entered the kingdom of God, and, as it is stated in Ephesians 2:6, we already, in hope, sit in heavenly places. I answer, that our salvation, in the mean time, is in hope, so that the inheritance indeed is secure; but we never-
361"Comme, ou, pour laquelle cause;" —"As, or, for which cause."