Philippians 3:11

Philippians 3:11

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

a. NLT: So that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

b. NIV: And so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

c. YLT: If anyhow I may attain to the rising again of the dead.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].

e. Worrell Translation: If by any means I may attain to the out-resurrection from the dead.

f. Wuest Translation: If by any means I might arrive at the goal, namely, the out-resurrection from among those who are dead.

 

1. “If by any means…”

a. If [Strong: 1487 ei i a primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.:--forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in 1489, 1490, 1499, 1508, 1509, 1512, 1513, 1536, 1537.]

b. by any means [Strong: 1513 ei pos i poce from 1487 and 4458; if somehow:--if by any means.]

1). Institute Creation Research Daily Devotional 1/8/12 The usage of this seemingly insignificant phrase, "if by any means" (Greek ei pos), follows a significant order of development in the New Testament. Occurring only four times, it is used to express the urgency of an object sought, and the background needs and means for its attainment.  The context of the first occurrence is the presumed need for physical comfort and security. "Because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter" (Acts 27:12). This particular goal, however, was never attained. The second is a more noble object, that of reaching an area of spiritual ministry. "Without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers," Paul said. "Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you . . . that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift" (Romans 1:9-11).  The next occurrence speaks in even greater urgency, the object being the conversion of Paul's Jewish brethren. "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles. . . . If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them" (Romans 11:13-14). The final occurrence is in today's verse, speaking of the supreme importance of a Christ-centered life: "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead" (Philippians 3:10, 11). By all means, therefore, we should, like Paul, seek to live for Christ, minister to others, and win souls for Him. HMM

2.  “…I might attain unto…”

a. I might attain [Strong: 2658 katantao kat-an-tah'-o from 2596 and a derivative of 473; to meet against, i.e. arrive at (literally or figuratively):--attain, come.] [Thayer: to come to, arrive, to come to a place over against, opposite another, metaph. to attain to a thing.][Strong: to meet against, i.e. arrive at (literally or figuratively):--attain, come.]

b. unto [Strong: 1519 eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

3. “…the resurrection of the dead.”

a. the resurrection [Strong: 1815 exanastasis ex-an-as'-tas-is from 1817; a rising from death:--resurrection.] [Thayer: a rising up, a rising again, resurrection.] [Zodhiates: This resurrection may very well refer to the one experienced by those resurrected first from among the dead, 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:16.] [D.C:Two of the three references he gives refer to the 

rapture.]

1). Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary: “The oldest manuscripts read, "the resurrection from (out of) the dead," namely, the first resurrection; that of believers at Christ's coming (1Co 15:23; 1Th 4:15; Re 20:5,6). The Greek word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament.”

b. of the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

c. dead [Strong: 3498 nekros nek-ros' from an apparently primary nekus (a corpse); dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun):--dead.

1). What Paul is referring to is the resurrection of the dead and the rapture which occurs at the coming of Christ.

a). 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

b). 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

2). Some teach that this verse is one of more than a few that reveal that not all Christians will go in the rapture. The belief is there is a “firstfruit rapture” that will only include the most sincere and consecrated believer, the nominal and carnal believers will be left behind. These are the “foolish virgins” of Matthew 25:1-13. The teaching itself involves a lot of study and cannot be covered here. Gordon Lindsay’s book, “Will Christians Go Through The Great Tribulation” covers it extremely well. I am not 100% on board on this but do lean toward it.