Devine Scripture

Philippians 3:13

What does Philippians 3:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Philippians 3:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Philippians 3:13 means

Paul reiterates his unfinished state and then reduces his life to one focus: forgetting what lies behind and stretching forward to what lies ahead. Forgetting does not mean erasing memory but refusing the past—successes or failures—to control the present. Stretching forward implies strenuous effort, eyes fixed on the goal. This is a picture of concentrated discipleship: no divided loyalties, no living off yesterday’s gains, no paralysis from yesterday’s wounds. The Christian race is run by looking ahead to Christ and His promises, not backward to personal history. Such focus keeps the heart teachable and the steps purposeful.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Brothers, it is clear to me that I have not come to that knowledge; but one thing I do, letting go those things which are past, and stretching out to the things which are before,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

brethren, I do not reckon myself to have laid hold; and one thing--the things behind indeed forgetting, and to the things before stretching forth--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended. But one thing I do: Forgetting the things that are behind and stretching forth myself to those that are before,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Brethren, I do not count to have got possession myself; but one thing — forgetting the things behind, and stretching out to the things before,

Context

Verse 13 follows verse 12’s denial of perfection with practical posture. It prepares directly for verse 14, where the goal and prize are named. The flow helps the reader grasp Paul’s spiritual psychology: recognizing incompletion, refusing distraction, and engaging in forward movement. This mindset counters both legalist pride (boasting in past performance) and defeatist despair (being trapped by past sins). The coming verse will anchor this striving in God’s upward call, keeping effort rooted in grace and aimed at glory.

v.12Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.

v.13This passage

v.14I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 12:1

    Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

  • Philippians 3:12

    Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.

  • Luke 10:42

    but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

  • Philippians 1:18

    What then? only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and therein I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

  • 2 Peter 3:8

    But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:24

    Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain.

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