We now take one further step forward and discover a reference that is nearer to the form found in Philippians 3.

Tes anastaseos tes ek nekron, in Luke 20:35.

`But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection, that which is out from the

dead ones'.

Here it will be observed, we not only have words similar to those used in Philippians 3:11, `accounted worthy to

obtain', but a similar context. Believers can be accounted worthy to obtain that age at the out-resurrection, they may

be accounted worthy to escape the dreadful things that are coming on the earth and to stand before the Son of Man,

they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name : and the persecutions which they endured were a manifest

token of the righteous judgments of God, that they may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which they

suffered (Luke 20:35; 21:36; Acts 5:41; 2 Thess. 1:5).

The word `obtain' in Luke 20:35 is used by the apostle in 2 Timothy 2:10, `that they may also obtain the

salvation which is ... with eternal glory', where the context associates `suffering' with `reigning', and in

Hebrews 11:35 `that they might obtain a better resurrection', which is an obvious parallel with the `out-resurrection'

of Philippians 3:11.

While Paul was sure of the `Hope' of his calling, he could not be sure of attaining unto the `Prize' of this same

calling, and associated with that prize is the special resurrection, the out-resurrection and the desire for conformity

unto the death of Christ which we have been considering. In the verse following the apostle makes it very clear that

this uncertainty is legitimate, and one or two added words are employed in making this fact clear.

`Not as though I had already attained' (`Not that I have already obtained', R.V.), `either were already perfect' (`or am

already made perfect', R.V.), `but I follow after' (`but I press on, R.V.), `if that I may apprehend that for which also I

am apprehended of Christ Jesus' (`if so be that I may apprehend that for which also I was apprehended by Christ

Jesus', R.V.) (Phil. 3:12).

The Authorized Version, by repeating the word `attain' in Philippians 3:12, gives a continuity to the apostle's

argument, but as two very different words are employed, katantao in verse 11 and lambano in verse 12, the Revised

Version is preferable. The change from `attaining' to `obtaining' moreover, reveals a change in the apostle's

objective. He sought first to `attain' to the out-resurrection and then subsequently to `obtain' the prize. This comes

out clearly when we remember that lambano, `obtain', occurs in 1 Corinthians 9:24,25, `one receiveth the prize',

`they do it to obtain a corruptible crown'.

It is moreover evident from the apostle's language, that one who `obtained' the prize, could be considered as

`perfect'. Here the Greek reading teteleiomai `I have been perfected' anticipates the triumphant teteleka `I have

finished' of 2 Timothy 4:7, where once again we have the race course, the conflict, and the crown.

The reader will recognize that in both of these Greek words, there is the common root tel which means that the

`end' has been reached, the race run. Telos `end' (Phil. 3:19), gives us teleo `to reach an end, or finish' (2 Tim. 4:7);

and so teleioo `to make perfect' (Phil. 3:12); and teleios `perfect' (Phil. 3:15).

The apostle said `I follow after', and what he sought for was that he might `lay hold of' that for which he had

been `laid hold of' by Christ. The apostle's `confidence' in chapter 1 and his `diffidence' in chapter 3 show the two

aspects of truth that present a perfect whole, two aspects which are expressed in Ephesians by the words `the HOPE

of His calling' and in Philippians by the words `the PRIZE of the high calling'.

The figure of a race, a conflict with a crown or prize at the end, is used by the apostle in more places than one. If

this `prize' is something for which we have been apprehended by Christ, then if for no other reason than to please

Him, we should get to know what it is and how it may be obtained.

It is right for every believer to sing :

`Not for weight of glory, not for crown or palm,

Enter we the army, raise the warrior's psalm,