What Does Philippians 3:11 Mean in the King James?

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Philippians 3:11 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

“Resurrection” names an out-rising: the hope is to stand up from among the dead into life.

THE MEANING

This verse speaks to the reader in the tension of hope: resurrection is a destination still longed for, with death named plainly along its horizon. Its image is life emerging from among the dead.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It dissolves the belief that death is the final boundary of the reader’s story: the verse names an emergence from among the dead as the awaited destination.

THE ROOT

ἐξανάστασις

exanastasis

GROWS FROM

⁨στη-⁩/⁨στα-⁩ (from ⁨ἵστημι⁩, histēmi)

To stand or set upright.

“resurrection” in this verse is exanastasis. The word combines ⁨ἐξανάστασις⁩ (exanastasis, “rising out”) with the sense of standing up carried by its root. Beneath English’s single noun is a vivid movement: rising out from among the dead.

ALSO GROWS

anistēmi: To raise or rise up.

ἀνίστημι

This verb makes the upward movement in “resurrection” audible: the dead rise.

anastasis: A rising or resurrection.

ἀνάστασις

This related noun names the same rising, linking the verse’s “out-rising” to resurrection as standing up.

THE PATTERN

Resurrection appears as the dead being awakened and brought into life.

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Daniel 12:2 · KJVThe sleepers in the dust awaken, making resurrection an emergence from death.

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

John 5:29 · KJVThose in the graves come forth, and the verse names resurrection as the outcome.

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Romans 6:5 · KJVResurrection is joined to the likeness of death, as in Philippians’ surrounding thought.

THE THREAD

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Philippians 3:10 · KJV

In 3:10, ⁨ἀνάστασις⁩ (anastasis, “rising” or “resurrection”) names the power of his resurrection; here, ⁨ἐξανάστασις⁩ (exanastasis, “rising out”) carries the same standing and rising root outward from among the dead. The connection keeps resurrection joined to knowing him and sharing in suffering.

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