Philippians 3:11 · Bible study
Philippians 3:11 Commentary: The Resurrection from the Dead
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why does Paul say 'if by any means' about the resurrection?
Research Summary
- Meaning: Paul expresses intense devotion and humble effort to obtain the unique resurrection of the righteous, not doubting God's promise but actively participating in Christ's death and life.
- Key words: ἐξανάστασιν (exanastasin, resurrection from among), καταντήσω (katantēsō, attain, aorist subjunctive), εἴ πως (ei pōs, if by any means, expressing conditionality and earnestness).
- Main debate: Whether the resurrection Paul seeks is a special 'first resurrection' (premillennial view) or the resurrection of the righteous in general (most Reformed view), and whether the conditional language implies uncertainty or holy striving.
- Theological theme: Already/not yet of salvation; resurrection as both present power (v.10) and future goal; the necessity of perseverance as part of God's grace.
- Best use: In sermons on perseverance, the Christian's hope, and the cost of discipleship; in small groups examining the nature of assurance and effort.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
WEB World English Bible 2000
if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
KJV King James Version 1769
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
if anyhow I may attain to the rising again of the dead.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
if any way I arrive at the resurrection from among [the] dead.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
If by any means I may attain to the resurrection which is from the dead.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Si en alguna manera llegase á la resurrección de los muertos.
para que, de alguma maneira, eu alcance a ressurreição dos mortos.
si je puis, à la résurrection d’ entre les morts.
damit ich gelange zur Auferstehung der Toten.
Of ik enigszins moge komen tot de wederopstanding der doden.
per giungere in qualche modo alla risurrezione dei morti.
Owabym jakimkolwiek sposobem doszedł do powstania z martwych.
чтобы достигнуть воскресения мертвых.
或者 我也得以 從 死裡 復活。
If in any way I may have the reward of life from the dead.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Philippians 3:11
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Paul's conditional language does not express doubt about his salvation or the certainty of the resurrection. The Cambridge Bible calls it 'the earnestness of the struggle of faith,' and Vincent's Word Studies notes that it is 'not an expression of doubt, but of humility.' On the nature of the resurrection, nearly all recognize that Paul uses the rare word ἐξανάστασιν (exanastasin) to distinguish this resurrection as from among the dead, a select resurrection for the righteous. Barnes and Gill see it as the 'resurrection of the just' or 'the better resurrection,' while Clarke suggests it may denote the resurrection of those who die in the Lord, perhaps especially martyrs. The compound noun, found only here in the New Testament, emphasizes a rising out of the realm of death. Thus, the consensus holds that Paul aims for the full experience of the resurrection life that belongs to believers in Christ, and his language reflects holy urgency, not uncertainty.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Resurrection of the Righteous (General): Paul's phrase refers to the resurrection of all believers at Christ's coming, as in Luke 14:14 and John 11:24; the rare word simply underscores the blessing of being raised from the dead.
- Special First Resurrection (Premillennial): The compound ἐξανάστασις and the repeated 'from the dead' imply a resurrection out from among the dead, a select group before the general resurrection, supported by Luke 20:35 and Rev 20:5-6.
What is clear: Paul is not doubting his salvation but expressing urgent pursuit of the full experience of resurrection life in Christ, a resurrection he will certainly receive through grace, yet which requires faithful perseverance.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Conditional language | Paul is not doubting his salvation; the phrase conveys urgency and humility. | Some traditions see this as an example of the believer's need for perseverance and self-watchfulness; others emphasize that the language reflects the tension between present grace and future glory. |
| Nature of the resurrection | Paul refers to a bodily resurrection for believers, distinct from the general resurrection of all people. | Some interpreters (premillennial) see this as the 'first resurrection' of Revelation 20, a select raising of saints before the final judgment. Others see it as the resurrection of all the righteous at Christ's return. |
| Rare word ἐξανάστασις | The word is unique in the NT and emphasizes a resurrection 'out from among' the dead. | Whether this compound simply reinforces the idea of resurrection (not different from anastasis) or specifically denotes a select group (the righteous among the dead). Clarke and Cambridge favor the select view; Vincent and others note that compound words do not always strengthen meaning. |
| Paul's perfectionism | Paul does not claim to have already attained perfection (v.12). | How to reconcile this statement with his earlier assertion of having perfect righteousness in Christ (v.9). Some see it as a distinction between positional holiness and progressive sanctification; others as a humility of expression. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Paul writes this letter from prison, probably Rome. Philippi is a Roman colony with a strong civic pride, and the church there faces suffering. In chapter 3, Paul warns against Judaizers (v.2) who trust in fleshly credentials. He counters by listing his own impeccable Jewish pedigree but counts it all loss for the sake of knowing Christ (vv.7-8). The verses surrounding 3:11 form one of Paul's most passionate statements of personal devotion: he wants to know Christ, the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming like him in death (v.10). Then comes verse 11, expressing his hope to attain the resurrection from the dead.
Bodily resurrection was a dividing line between Pharisees and Sadducees (Acts 23:6). But Paul's language here goes further. The phrase 'from the dead' (ἐκ νεκρῶν) suggests a resurrection that lifts believers out from among the dead, not merely a general rising. Cross-references such as Luke 20:35, where Jesus speaks of those 'considered worthy to attain to the resurrection from the dead,' reinforce this select aspect. In a Roman colony steeped in Greco-Roman views of the afterlife, where the soul was freed from the body at death, Paul's hope for a transformed body was radical. His 'if by any means' does not question God's faithfulness; it underscores the cost of discipleship. Paul's own path includes imprisonment, beatings, and daily risks. He sees these hardships as means by which he is conformed to Christ, and thus as part of the process that leads to the resurrection. The historical context of suffering gives the conditional language a weight it would otherwise lack.
Textual Notes
The main textual variation involves whether the phrase reads 'the resurrection of the dead' (KJV) or 'the resurrection from the dead' (most modern translations). The latter, supported by the best manuscripts, uses the compound Greek noun ἐξανάστασις (exanastasis) and the preposition ἐκ, emphasizing a resurrection out from among the dead. The Cambridge Bible notes this reading as the better supported. The standard word for resurrection, ἀνάστασις (anastasis), is replaced here with a stronger form that highlights a select resurrection. No other significant variants are noted in the supplied sources.
Reception History
In the early church, Tertullian connected this passage to a select resurrection of believers, linking it to the millennium in Revelation 20 (as noted by the Cambridge Bible). The verse was used to support the idea of a distinct 'first resurrection' for the righteous. During the Reformation, writers such as Matthew Henry and John Gill read the verse as the resurrection of the just, emphasizing the holy ambition of the apostle. They saw Paul's conditional language not as doubt but as an expression of the strenuous effort required to walk the path of discipleship. In modern scholarship, the rare vocabulary continues to draw attention to Paul's unique expression of hope, with many noting the 'already/not yet' tension in his theology. The verse remains central in discussions of perseverance, assurance, and the nature of the believer's final hope.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Resurrection Paul Seeks, Not a general event but a prize requiring wholehearted pursuit: the resurrection from among the dead, reserved for those found in Christ.
- The Conditionality of Grace, Paul's 'if by any means' shows holy urgency, not doubt. It reflects the tension between God's promise and the believer's need to persevere.
- The Conformity Required, To attain this resurrection, one must share in Christ's sufferings and become like him in death. The path to glory passes through the cross.
Five-point outline
- Paul's Singular Goal, The resurrection from the dead as the climax of salvation, the full realization of life in Christ.
- The Rare Word (ἐξανάστασις), A resurrection that lifts believers out from among the dead, distinct from the general resurrection of all people.
- The Earnest Striving, 'If by any means' reflects both human effort and dependence on grace. Paul runs as if everything depends on him, knowing everything depends on God.
- The Shared Fellowship, Knowing the power of Christ's resurrection entails sharing his sufferings. Suffering is not an obstacle but a means of conformity.
- The Future Hope, This resurrection is already at work through the Spirit (v.10) but awaits consummation. The Christian life presses forward toward that final goal.
Illustration hooks
- Athletic pursuit: An Olympic sprinter does not doubt the finish line exists, but she strains every muscle to reach it. The prize is certain, but the effort is real.
- Academic exam: A student preparing for a competitive test does not question whether they will pass, but they put in long hours of study to maximize their chances. The goal is worth the sacrifice.
- Medical treatment: A cancer patient undergoing aggressive therapy does not know if the treatment will succeed, but they press through side effects with hope. Paul faces his own 'fiery trials' with similar resolve.
Questions your congregation is asking
- If I'm saved, why do I need to strive for the resurrection? Isn't it guaranteed?
- What does it mean to 'attain' the resurrection when I already believe in the resurrection?
- How do I know if I am truly pressing toward this goal, or just going through the motions?
Leading a Discussion
This verse reveals the apostle's personal ambition, not for earthly gain, but for the resurrection life. His language invites us to examine our own pursuit of Christ. Is our hope passive or active? Do we treat the resurrection as a distant certainty or as a prize that shapes how we live today?
Discussion questions
- What does Paul mean by 'if by any means'? How does this phrase shape your understanding of assurance and effort?
- Why does Paul use the unique word 'exanastasis' instead of the common word for resurrection? What nuance does it add?
- Read verses 10-11 together. How does knowing Christ, the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings connect to attaining the resurrection?
- How does Paul's previous list of credentials (vv.4-6) color his statement in v.11? What has he renounced to pursue this?
- Becoming conformed to his death sounds grim. Why does Paul see suffering as a means to the resurrection?
- In what ways might we be tempted to settle for a lesser hope than 'the resurrection from the dead'? What competes for our attention?
- How can the church encourage one another to press toward this goal without falling into either despair or presumption?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Psalms 49:7 | none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give God a ransom for him. |
| Luke 14:14 | and you will be blessed, because they don’t have the resources to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous.” |
| Luke 20:35 | But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. |
| Luke 20:36 | For they can’t die any more, for they are like the angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. |
| John 11:24 | Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” |
| Acts 23:6 | But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!” |
| Acts 26:7 | which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa! |
| Acts 27:12 | Because the haven was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised going to sea from there, if by any means they could reach Phoenix and winter there, which is a port of Crete, looking southwest and northwest. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke draws attention to a rare Greek word Paul uses here, exanastasis, which appears nowhere else in the New Testament. He argues it refers specifically to the resurrection of the blessed only, not the general resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. Paul's aspiration, in Clarke's reading, is for this unique and glorious resurrection.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes notes that Paul's "if by any means" shows his strenuous effort toward a specific goal. The resurrection Paul seeks is not the general resurrection of all people, but the resurrection of the righteous, a blessed object worth any sacrifice to attain.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
If by any meanes I might attaine vnto the resurrection of the dead:
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill insists Paul is not speaking of the general resurrection of all people, which even the wicked will experience. Rather he refers to the special, glorious resurrection of the righteous that comes at Christ's personal return. Paul's "if by any means" expresses his earnest desire and the difficulty of reaching it through suffering, not any doubt about his salvation.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes the Greek phrase Paul uses is unique in the New Testament. It means "resurrection from out of the dead," referring specifically to the first resurrection of believers at Christ's coming. The power of Christ's own resurrection guarantees that faithful believers will attain this.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry draws two vivid pictures from Paul's words: a runner who presses every muscle to win the prize, and a manslayer who finds safety in the city of refuge. For Henry, being found in Christ means having a righteousness that can stand before God's judgment
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent distinguishes two resurrection phrases in the Greek text. "Resurrection of the dead" is a general term for all people, while "resurrection from the dead" appears only twice in the New Testament and specifically means resurrection to life. He also notes that "if by any means" expresses humility, not doubt.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley reads "the resurrection of the dead" as a specific reference to the resurrection that leads to glory, not a general raising. For him the phrase directly points to the glorious, eternal state that awaits believers.