Philippians 3 · Verse 16

Philippians 3:16

Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Philippians 3:16, King James Version

Philippians 3:16 in other translations

BSBNevertheless, we must live up to what we have already attained.
WEBNevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let’s walk by the same rule. Let’s be of the same mind.
ASVonly, whereunto we have attained, by that same rule let us walk.
YLTbut to what we have come--by the same rule walk, the same thing think;
DARBYBut whereto we have attained, let us walk in the same steps.
BBEOnly, as far as we have got, let us be guided by the same rule.
WebsterNevertheless, to what we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

What does Philippians 3:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
16. The expectation of a new revelation is not to make you less careful in walking according to whatever degree of knowledge of divine things and perfection you have already attained. God makes further revelations to those who walk up to the revelations they already have (Ho 6:3). rule, let us mind the same thing--omitted in the oldest manuscripts. Perhaps partly inserted from Ga 6:16, and Php 2:2. Translate then, "Whereunto we have attained, let us walk on (a military term, march in order) in the same (the measure of knowledge already attained)."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 16. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. This is a most wise and valuable rule, and a rule that would save much difficulty and contention in the church, if it were honestly applied. The meaning is this--that though there might be different degrees of attainment among Christians, and different views on many subjects, yet there were points in which all could agree; there were attainments which they all had made, and in reference to them they should walk in harmony and love. It might be that some had made much greater advances than others. They had more elevated views of religion; they had higher knowledge; they were nearer perfection. Others had had less advantages of education and instruction, had had fewer opportunities of making progress in the divine life, and would less understand the higher mysteries of the Christian life. They might not see the truth or propriety of many things which those in advance of them would see clearly. But it was not worth while to quarrel about these things. There should be no angry feeling, and no fault-finding on either side. There were many things in which they could see alike, and where there were no jarring sentiments. In those things they could walk harmoniously; and they who were in advance of others should not complain of their less informed brethren as lacking all evidence of piety; nor should those who had not made such advances complain of those before them as fanatical, or as disposed to push things to extremes. They who had the higher views should, as Paul did, believe that God will yet communicate them to the church at large, and in the mean time should not denounce others; and those who had less elevated attainments should not censure their brethren as wild and visionary. There were common grounds on which they might unite, and thus the harmony of the church would be secured. No better rule than this could be applied to the subjects of inquiry which spring up among Christians respecting temperance, slavery, moral reform, and the various doctrines of religion; and, if this rule had been always observed, the church would have been always saved from harsh contention and from schism. If a man does not see things just as I do, let me try with mildness to "teach" him, and let me believe that if he is a Christian, God will make this known to him yet; but let me not quarrel with him, for neither of us would be benefited by that, nor would the object be likely to be attained. In the mean time, there are many things in which we can agree. In them let us work together, and strive, as far as we can, to promote the common object. Thus we shall save our temper, give no occasion to the world to reproach us, and be much more likely to come together in all our views. The best way to make true Christians harmonious is, to labour together in the common cause of saving souls. As far as we can agree, let us go and labour together; and where we cannot yet, let us "agree to differ." We shall all think alike by-and-by.

(e) "rule, let us" Gal; 6:16

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
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 κανονι, το αυτο φρονειν, 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., etc., 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."

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Philippians 3:12-21

This simple dependence and earnestness of soul, were not mentioned as 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 as not to be content with past labours or present measures of grace. He reached forth, stretched himself forward towards his point; expressions showing great concern to become more and more like unto Christ. He…

Read the full comment on Philippians 3:12-21 →

Philippians 3:16 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

πλὴνplēnNeverthelessG4133
εἰςeistoG1519
ὃhothat whichG3739
ἐφθάσαμεν,ephthasamenwe have attained,G5348
τῷtōby theG3588
αὐτῷautōsameG846
στοιχεῖνstoichein[we are] to walkG4748
κανόνι,kanoniruleG2583
τὸto[and] by theG3588
αὐτὸautosameG846
φρονεῖν.¶phroneinreasoning.G5426

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Philippians 3:16

  • Colossians 2:6

    As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

  • Revelation 3:3

    Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

  • Revelation 2:4-5

    Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

  • Hebrews 10:38-39

    Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

  • Romans 15:5

    Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

  • Philippians 1:27

    Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

  • Galatians 6:16

    And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

  • Philippians 4:2

    I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

  • Philippians 2:2

    Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

  • Romans 12:16

    Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

  • Ephesians 5:2-8

    And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. …

  • 2 Peter 2:10-20

    But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
whereto.
Ga 5:7; Heb 10:38,39; 2Pe 2:10-20; Re 2:4,5; 3:3
let us walk.
Ro 12:16; 15:5; Ga 6:16; Eph 5:2-8; Col 2:6
let us mind.
1:27; 2:2; 4:2

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Philippians 3:15

    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.

  • Philippians 3:16

    Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

  • Philippians 3:17

    Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Read all of Philippians 3

Philippians 3:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Empero en aquello á que hemos llegado, vamos por la misma regla, sintamos una misma cosa.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		cependant, dans les choses auxquelles nous sommes parvenus, marchons dans le même sentier.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Doch wozu wir gelangt sind, laßt uns in denselben Fußstapfen wandeln.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Verumtamen ad quod pervenimus ut idem sapiamus, et in eadem permaneamus regula.