Philippians 3:10
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Original Language Analysis
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γνῶναι
That I may know
G1097
γνῶναι
That I may know
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
2 of 19
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δύναμιν
the power
G1411
δύναμιν
the power
Strong's:
G1411
Word #:
6 of 19
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀναστάσεως
resurrection
G386
ἀναστάσεως
resurrection
Strong's:
G386
Word #:
8 of 19
a standing up again, i.e., (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive case or by implication, (its author)), or (figuratively) a (mor
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κοινωνίαν
the fellowship
G2842
κοινωνίαν
the fellowship
Strong's:
G2842
Word #:
12 of 19
partnership, i.e., (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παθημάτων
sufferings
G3804
παθημάτων
sufferings
Strong's:
G3804
Word #:
14 of 19
something undergone, i.e., hardship or pain; subjectively, an emotion or influence
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
συμμορφούμενος
being made conformable
G4833
συμμορφούμενος
being made conformable
Strong's:
G4833
Word #:
16 of 19
to render like, i.e., (figuratively) to assimilate
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Galatians 2:20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.Romans 8:17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.Philippians 3:8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,Colossians 3:1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.1 John 2:3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.Colossians 1:24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:2 Corinthians 1:5For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.2 Corinthians 13:4For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.1 Peter 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,John 17:3And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Historical Context
Ancient philosophy pursued knowledge (gnōsis) through reason and contemplation. Paul's 'knowledge' is relational union producing conformity to Christ's death-resurrection pattern. Gnostics later claimed secret knowledge; Paul's knowledge is public gospel embraced by faith and lived through suffering. Resurrection power isn't triumphalism but cruciformity—dying and rising with Christ (Rom 6:1-11).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you experience 'the power of His resurrection' in daily life?
- What does 'fellowship of His sufferings' look like practically in your context?
- How are you being 'conformed to His death'—dying to self and sin?
Analysis & Commentary
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death (τοῦ γνῶναι αὐτὸν καὶ τὴν δύναμιν τῆς ἀναστάσεως αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν κοινωνίαν παθημάτων αὐτοῦ, συμμορφιζόμενος τῷ θανάτῳ αὐτοῦ, tou gnōnai auton kai tēn dynamin tēs anastaseōs autou kai tēn koinōnian pathēmatōn autou, symmorphizomenos tō thanatō autou)—Tou gnōnai ("to know," infinitive of purpose) is Paul's consuming passion. Threefold knowing:
Knowing Christ is experiential, costly, transformative—not mere intellectual assent.