By by any means possible
Paul expresses
expectation for the future resurrection;
self-mistrust and a humble attitude; or
doubt.
Paul says that he shares in Christ’s suffering and conforms to his death, that by any means possible
he might attain the resurrection of the dead. The phrase by any means possible
suggests Paul expresses some uncertainty about attaining the resurrection, but is that right?
It’s important to notice that the phrase can be used to denote uncertainty, but can also be used to denote eager expectation. Likely, this is how Paul uses the phrase in Philippians 3:11. That is, Paul is saying that he eagerly awaits the resurrection, confident that he will attain it, but not sure whether he will die soon or if Christ will return. That is, if there is any uncertainty, it has to do with whether resurrection will be attained by death or Christ’s return.
Some contend that while Paul was confident that he would attain the resurrection, he expresses uncertainty in order to convey a level of self-mistrust and humbleness. That is, Paul is certain that the object of his faith, Christ, will save him, but he is uncertain of his own ability to remain in the faith.
The problem with this view is that Paul in many places expresses certainty that he will be with Christ, including in this same letter. For example, in Philippians 1:27 he says he would like to die and be with Christ, and in Philippians 3:20–21 he reflects on their citizenship in heaven and the fact that they will be transformed with Christ in the future. Now, if this view has it that Paul is confident that he will be saved, but uses rhetoric to encourage humbleness, this is a plausible interpretation.
Finally, some think that Paul expresses actual doubt that he will be saved. Unfortunately, this view is unlikely, given the confidence Paul expresses elsewhere that he will be saved.
Thus, Paul is confident he will attain resurrection, but wonders, with eager expectation, whether he will die as a martyr or Christ will soon return.
Contents
Interpretation 1:
Paul expresses expectation for the future resurrection.
Summary:
Paul is certain that he will attain the resurrection of the dead, but he is uncertain about the route that will get him there. He is not sure whether he will die as a martyr or if Christ will return while he is still alive. Thus, he eagerly anticipates the resurrection of the dead.
As believers in Christ, we can rest our hope on the resurrection from the dead, when we will join Christ on the new earth for eternity. Still, we do not know precisely when we will participate in the resurrection, so we wait with eager expectation.
Advocates:
Gordon Fee
Peter O’Brien
Minor differences:
Our authors agree that Paul is not expressing any doubt that he will attain the resurrection of the dead. That is, Paul is confident that he will be resurrected, but he is not sure which route his life will take for resurrection to result.
Peter O’Brien explains the view clearly. He says that the phrase by any means possible
can be taken in the sense of doubt or of expectation.1 In the case of Philippians 3:11 we ought to take it as expectation because Paul expresses elsewhere that he is confident in his salvation. So what sort of expectation does Paul express with the phrase? O’Brien contends that while the goal of resurrection is certain, the way or route by which the apostle will reach it is unclear.
2 In other words, will Paul reach the resurrection after being martyred or will Christ return while he is still alive?
Gordon Fee seems to hold a similar view, but the way he explains it is less clear. Fee says that for Paul, there is no doubt that his future will involve resurrection. Still, what is uncertain is whether his certain future is to be realized by resurrection or by transformation.
3 Fee seems to be suggesting something similar to O’Brien. That is, Paul is not sure whether he will die and be raised or will be alive and therefore transformed when Christ returns. Still, Fee's view is confusing because he says Paul is certain about his future resurrection, but he is not sure whether he will attain it by resurrection. It would have been clearer if Fee said Paul is certain about his future resurrection, but he is not sure if he will be alive or dead when Christ returns.
Arguments
Possible weaknesses
Interpretation 2:
Paul expresses self-mistrust and a humble attitude.
Summary:
Paul has no doubt that he will be raised from the dead and spend eternity with Christ. Still, when he says he suffers for Christ so that by any means possible
he might attain resurrection, he expresses humility and self-mistrust.
Advocates:
Michael Bird
Walter Hansen
Frank Thielman
Bonnie Thurston
Marvin Vincent
Minor differences:
Our authors agree that Paul does not doubt that he will be raised from the dead, but he expresses humility in Philippians 3:11.
For Michael Bird and Walter Hansen, when Paul says by any means possible
he might attain resurrection, he expresses humility.8 That is, he does not want his audience to think that because he suffers for Christ, he thinks he has earned his salvation, so he includes a level of humility so that the Philippians will understand that he must continue suffering and conforming to Christ.9
Marvin Vincent explains things slightly differently. For him, Paul is not only being humble but also expressing self-mistrust.10 Thus, Paul is saying that on the divine side, things are certain, but on the human side, Paul must be cautious not to lapse in his faith or trust in his own efforts.
Arguments
Possible weaknesses
Interpretation 3:
Paul expresses doubt.
Summary:
Paul is not a perfect human, and sometimes he doubted his own salvation. Thus, in Philippians 3:11 he expresses his doubts concerning his own resurrection.
Advocates:
Moisés Silva
Arguments
Possible weaknesses
11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.