“F. F.” desires to know the meaning of Philippians 3:12. It is probable that our correspondent finds difficulty in understanding the force of the word “perfect.” We believe it refers to the time when Paul, in common with all true Christians, shall be conformed in body, soul, and spirit, to the glorious image of Christ. The word “perfect” is used in various ways in the New Testament. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). Here it refers to the principle of our dealing with others. We should act towards men on the same principle as our Father adopts in His actings with them. He is kind to all; so should we be. This is to be “perfect” in the sense of Matthew 5:48.
Again: “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect” (1 Cor. 11:9). Here the word refers to the “spiritual” in contrast with the “carnal.” Then, again, we read of being “perfect as pertaining to the conscience” (Heb. 9:2). The blood of Christ gives a perfect conscience. It could not do less. According to the dignity of the sacrifice is the condition of the conscience. This is a point of immense value. So also in Philippians 3:15, we read, “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded.” Here, we apprehend, the word refers to those who have Christ as their exclusive object, just as Paul could say, “One thing I do.” A single eye is perfection, according to this passage. Oh, for the grace of a single eye! To have the conscience purged, and the eye single, are two distinct perfections of the Christian life. May we all enjoy them.
Our correspondent will, we trust, find help from a careful comparison of all the above passages. He will see that the sense of the word “perfect” in Philippians 3:12, is quite distinct, and that it refers to perfection in glory. The believer should enjoy the perfection of a purged conscience; the perfection of a kindly spirit toward all men; the perfection of a spiritual mind; the perfection of a single eye; and, while enjoying all these perfections, we should cultivate the hope of perfection in glory.
We are deeply thankful for the blessing and profit which our correspondent has received from those volumes to which he refers. We can say, with a full heart, to the Lord alone be all the praise! We would earnestly entreat our dear friend to join us in prayer to God, that He would be graciously pleased to vouchsafe a still more abundant blessing upon the circulation and perusal of those little books.