Philippians 3:12–4:1

¹²Not that I have already received this,^* or have already been made perfect, but I press on if indeed I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ.^{h 13}Brothers, I do not consider myself to have laid hold of it.^* But I do one thing, forgetting the things behind and straining toward the things ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Imitate Paul

¹⁵Therefore as many as are perfect, let us hold this opinionⁱ, and if you think anything differently, God will reveal this also to you. ¹⁶Only to what we have attained, to the same hold on. ¹⁷Become fellow imitators of me, brothers, and observe those who walk in this way, just as you have us as an example. ¹⁸For many live, of whom I spoke about to you many times, but now speak about even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ, ¹⁹whose end is destruction, whose God is the stomach, and whose glory is in their shame, the ones who think on earthly things. ²⁰For our commonwealth exists in heaven, from which also we eagerly await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹who will transform our humble body to be conformed to his glorious body, in accordance with the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Appeal for Unity

4So then, my beloved and greatly desired brothers, my joy and crown, thus stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.