15. therefore--resuming
Php 3:3.
"As many of us then, as are perfect," that is, full grown (no
longer "babes") in the Christian life
(Php 3:3,
"worshipping God in the Spirit, and having no confidence in the
flesh"),
1Co 2:6,
fully established in things of God. Here, by "perfect," he means one
fully fit for running [BENGEL]; knowing and
complying with the laws of the course
(2Ti 2:5).
Though "perfect" in this sense, he was not yet "made perfect"
(Greek) in the sense intended in
Php 3:12,
namely, "crowned with complete victory," and having attained
absolute perfection.
thus minded--having the mind which he had described,
Php 3:7-14.
otherwise minded--having too high an opinion of yourselves as to
your attainment of Christian perfection. "He who thinks that he
has attained everything, hath nothing" [CHRYSOSTOM]. Probably, too, he refers to those who were
tempted to think to attain to perfection by the law
(Ga 3:3):
who needed the warning
(Php 3:3),
"Beware of the concision," though on account of their former piety,
Paul hopes confidently (as in
Ga 5:10)
that God will reveal the path of right-mindedness to them. Paul taught
externally God "reveals" the truth internally by His Spirit
(Mt 11:25; 16:17;
1Co 3:6).
unto you--who sincerely strive to do God's will
(Joh 7:17;
Eph 1:17).
JFB.
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