SEV Biblia, Chapter 3:16
Pero en aquello a que hemos llegado, vamos por la misma regla, sintamos una misma cosa.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:16
Verse 16. Whereto we have already attained] Let us not lose that part of the race which we have already run, let us walk by the same rule - let us keep the white line continually in view, let us mind the same thing, always considering the glorious prize which is held out by God through Christ Jesus to animate and encourage us. The MSS., versions and fathers of the Alexandrian recension or edition, and which are supposed by Griesbach and others to contain the purest text, omit the words kanoni, to auto pronein, and read the verse thus: Whereunto we have already attained let us walk; or, according to what we have already attained, let us regulate our life, There is so much disagreement about the above words in the MSS., &c., that most critics consider them as a sort of gloss, which never made an original part of the text. Dr. White says, Certissime delenda; "Most certainly they should be obliterated."
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained , etc.] Whatever degree of knowledge of Christ, and the truths of his Gospel, is attained to, let it be retained, and not departed from: let us walk by the same rule ; either the doctrine of justification by Christ's righteousness in particular, which is a rule of judgment concerning other things; for so far as they agree or disagree with this, they are to be received or rejected; or the Scriptures of truth, which are the rule of faith and practice, and the standard and test, to which all are to be brought and tried: let us mind the same thing ; be of one heart and affection to each other, ( Romans 12:10), and of the same judgment in the doctrines of the Gospel, ( 1 Corinthians 1:10), and pursue the same measures; particularly press towards the same mark, and for the same prize the apostle did, ( Philippians 3:14), and be followers of him, as is exhorted to in ( Philippians 3:17).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 12-21 - This simple dependence and earnestness of soul, were not mentioned a if the apostle had gained the prize, or were already made perfect in the Saviour's likeness. He forgot the things which were behind, so a not to be content with past labours or present measures of grace. He reached forth, stretched himself forward towards his point; expression showing great concern to become more and more like unto Christ. He wh runs a race, must never stop short of the end, but press forward a fast as he can; so those who have heaven in their view, must stil press forward to it, in holy desires and hopes, and constan endeavours. Eternal life is the gift of God, but it is in Christ Jesus through his hand it must come to us, as it is procured for us by him There is no getting to heaven as our home, but by Christ as our Way True believers, in seeking this assurance, as well as to glorify him will seek more nearly to resemble his sufferings and death, by dying to sin, and by crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts. I these things there is a great difference among real Christians, but all know something of them. Believers make Christ all in all, and set their hearts upon another world. If they differ from one another, and are no of the same judgment in lesser matters, yet they must not judge on another; while they all meet now in Christ, and hope to meet shortly in heaven. Let them join in all the great things in which they are agreed and wait for further light as to lesser things wherein they differ. The enemies of the cross of Christ mind nothing but their sensua appetites. Sin is the sinner's shame, especially when gloried in. The way of those who mind earthly things, may seem pleasant, but death an hell are at the end of it. If we choose their way, we shall share their end. The life of a Christian is in heaven, where his Head and his hom are, and where he hopes to be shortly; he sets his affections upo things above; and where his heart is, there will his conversation be There is glory kept for the bodies of the saints, in which they wil appear at the resurrection. Then the body will be made glorious; no only raised again to life, but raised to great advantage. Observe the power by which this change will be wrought. May we be always prepare for the coming of our Judge; looking to have our vile bodies changed by his Almighty power, and applying to him daily to new-create our soul unto holiness; to deliver us from our enemies, and to employ our bodie and souls as instruments of righteousness in his service __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
πλην 4133 εις 1519 ο 3739 εφθασαμεν 5348 5656 τω 3588 αυτω 846 στοιχειν 4748 5721 κανονι 2583 το 3588 αυτο 846 φρονειν 5426 5721
Vincent's NT Word Studies
16. Nevertheless. Rev., only. Notwithstanding the minor points in which you may be otherwise minded.
Whereto we have already attained (eiv o efqasamen). Whatever real christian and moral attainment you may have made, let that serve as a rule for your further advance. The character of this standard of attainment is illustrated by the words in ver. 15, be thus minded, and by those in ver. 17, as ye have us for an example. The individual variations are not considered. He regards rather the collective development, and assumes the essentials of christian attainment on the part of his readers. For attained, see on we are come, 2 Cor. x. 14.
Let us walk by the same rule (tw autw stoicein) The idea of a regulative standard is implied, but rule kanoni must be omitted from the Greek text. Rev. brings out the antithesis better: whereunto we have already attained, by that same rule let us walk. Omit let us mind the same thing.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
3:16 {By that same rule let us walk} (t"i autwi stoichein) Aleph A B do not have kanoni (rule). Besides stoichein is the absolute present active infinitive which sometimes occurs instead of the principal verb as in #Ro 12:15. Paul means simply this that, having come thus far, the thing to do is to go "in the same path" (t"i autwi) in which we have been travelling so far. A needed lesson for Christians weary with the monotony of routine in religious life and work.
