Philippians 3:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

“Nevertheless, to what we have attained.” What does this mean? It means: meanwhile, let us hold fast to what we have accomplished, namely love, unanimity, and peace. This we have accomplished. “Nevertheless, to what we have attained, let us think the same thing and walk by the same rule.” “Nevertheless, to what we have attained,” that is, this we have already accomplished. Do you see that he wants to set his teaching forth as a rule? A rule permits neither addition nor subtraction; otherwise it ceases to be a rule. “And by the same rule,” that is, by the same faith and the same instruction.

What we have done up to now, he says, we must also hold fast, that is, unanimity and peace. We must live by the same rule, that is, by the same faith and for the same goal. For a rule allows neither addition nor subtraction. Therefore do not transgress the commands of the Holy Spirit.

And lest they suddenly rush into the arms of seducers, who wished to tear them away from the faith by promising true knowledge, the Apostle immediately added something.

He did so also lest they think that he had spoken of this true knowledge when he said: "God will reveal even this to you."

He immediately added: "Nevertheless, to what we have attained, in that we must live" (cf. Phil 3:16).

So then, if you have understood something that does not contradict the rule of the catholic faith, on which you have stood as upon the road leading you to the homeland, build further.

If you have understood it so that you do not doubt it at all, build further, but do not remove the foundation.

Nevertheless, to what we have attained, namely the works of the Spirit that we have begun to do, in these let us be perfected, and let us not be found returning to the works of the law.

So that no prejudice would arise here, and no one would think that this was not in the revelation of God, Paul added the words: “Nevertheless, to what we have attained. Let us think the same thing and walk by the same rule.” This means not transgressing the rule of teaching in understanding, but accepting the common and humble understanding of the truth of the Gospel.

Again the Apostle speaks with them about concord. By “rule” he means the evangelical preaching. A rule is a determination of rightness that lacks nothing. Therefore he commands them not to tolerate those who mix into the Gospel what was established by the law. Then he presents himself as a kind of example.

“Let us think the same thing, and let us walk by the same rule.” Christian truths are not only fruits of reflection, but also of life. Therefore they must be not only subjects of reasoning, but also rules of life.

"Nevertheless, to what we have attained, let us think the same and live by the same rule" (Phil 3:16), or, as in the Russian translation, "Nevertheless, to what we have attained, so we must think and live by that rule."

In everything one must follow this. As conscience recognizes something as true or obligatory, one must harmonize one's deeds and life with it.

The Apostle speaks as though saying: I have told you that if you understand something otherwise, God will enlighten you.

Yet even apart from this, you surely know the rule that one must follow what has been recognized as true and good.

I have clearly explained to you that you must not consider yourselves perfect, but must keep striving only forward, as those who have not yet attained what is due.

Therefore you need not wait for special enlightenments from the Lord. Receive into your conscience what I have clearly handed down and impressed upon you, and act accordingly (Bishop Theophan).

Teaching the right way of thinking to Christians who strive toward perfection, the Apostle urges them to keep in mind the comparative degrees of perfection.

He urges hope for the revelation of higher spiritual wisdom. Until receiving it, they must remain firm in the perfection already attained and not deviate from the basic rules of faith and life.

For this they must use living guidance, first from the Apostle himself, and afterward from his faithful followers.

"The mark of the perfect is not to consider himself perfect," says St. John Chrysostom.

"In any society of persons, all are never on the same level. Some are always better, others worse, and some are very good and stand out from the rest.

It would be better for those who too early began to consider themselves perfect to think of themselves apostolically.

Yet the Apostle does not demand that they at once stand on the same height of understanding that he has attained.

In certain particular points they may decide in their own way, differently from the Apostle. In time God will enlighten them in everything.

The Apostle desires only one thing: that the knowledge of Christ and Christian perfection attained by the Philippians should not remain dead capital for them, but become the guiding principle of their life.

It will be best if they look at how Paul and his helpers act.

This passage too is somewhat obscure. Our Russian translation gives this thought: "Nevertheless, to what we have attained, let us so think and live by the same rule."

Let us at least stand in what we have attained, on the degree to which we have come, in the way of thinking in which we have been established.

Let us remain also in the rules of life in which we have been confirmed.

It is as though this were a condescending concession. If it is too much for you to go ever forward with no end in sight, then at least do not move backward.

Remain as you have been formed. Do not turn aside either to the right or to the left. Be faithful to yourselves.