Philippians 3:16
 
Philippians 3:16
(KJV) Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
(1611 KJV) Neuerthelesse, whereto wee haue alreadie attained, let vs walke by the same rule, let vs minde the same thing.
(1526 Tyndale) Neverthelesse in that wher vnto we are come let vs procede by one rule yt we maye be of one acorde.
(1384 Wycliffe) Netheles to what thing we han comun, that we vndurstonden the same thing, and that we perfitli dwelle in the same reule.
 
Counterfeit Versions
(CSB) In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained.
(NIV) Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
(NASB) however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
(THE MESSAGE) Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.
(NLT) But we must be sure to obey the truth we have learned already.
(ESV) Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
(CEV) But we must keep going in the direction that we are now headed.
(1901 ASV) only, whereunto we have attained, by that same rule let us walk.
(NLV) So let us keep on obeying the same truth we have already been following.
(HCSB) In any case, we should live up to whatever [truth] we have attained.
(TNIV) Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
(NCV) But we should continue following the truth we already have.
(RSV) Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
(NAB-Roman Catholic) Only, with regard to what we have attained, continue on the same course.
(NWT-Jehovah’s Witnesses) At any rate, to what extent we have made progress, let us go on walking orderly in this same routine.
 
Textus Receptus - Traditional Text
plhn eiV o ejqasamen tw autw stoicein kanoni to auto jronein
 
Hort-Westcott - Critical Text
plhn eiV o ejqasamen tw autw stoicein
 
Corrupted Manuscripts
This verse is corrupted in the following manuscripts:
Aleph 01 - Sinaiticus - Nineteenth Century Counterfeit (original)
A 02 - Alexandrinus - Fifth century
B 03 - Vaticanus - Fourth century
P 16 - Third/fourth century
P 46 - About 200 A.D.
33 - Ninth century (Minuscule)
 
Manuscripts which agree with the Textus Receptus for this verse
Byzantine Text (450-1450 A.D.)
Aleph 01 - Sinaiticus - Nineteenth Century Counterfeit (corrected)
K 018 - Ninth century
L 020 - Ninth century
P 025 - Ninth century
 
Published Critical Greek Texts with Corruptions
Omit “let us mind the same thing”
Greisbach, Johann - 1805
Lachmann, Karl - 1842
Tischendorf, Constantine - 1869
Tregelles, Samuel - 1857
Alford, Henry - 1849 revised in 1871
Westcott and Hort - 1881
Weiss, Bernhard - 1894
Nestle - 1927 as revised in seventeenth edition in 1941
Nestle-Aland - 1979 - Twenty Sixth Edition
Nestle-Aland - 1993 - Twenty Seventh Edition
United Bible Societies - 1983 - Fourth Edition
Von Soden, Freiherr - 1902
 
Affected Teaching
One of the most precious teachings of Scripture is that Christians be of the same mind. That is what this portion of the Scripture is teaching. Christians do not attain unity by just following rules and regulations but the idea of unity begins in the mind.
 
(Phil 3:15 KJV) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
 
(Phil 2:2 KJV) Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
 
Paul uses the terms for Christians to be like minded seven times in the book of Philippians because being likeminded is a major theme permeating this book. Paul does not stop at Christians walking by the same rule which is the rule of equality among Christians because of the new birth.
 
(Gal 6:15-16 KJV) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. {16} And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
 
Paul teaches us that equality begins in the mind and true understanding of Scripture begins in the mind because Christians have the mind of Christ, we need to be in unity not in disunity. By the modern version editors leaving off the part of Scripture which deals with being likeminded, they have cut off the source whereby a person can walk in the rule of equality. If a person thinks him or herself to be better than others, then they violate the rule of equality among Christians. This principle is taught in Romans 12:3:
 
(Rom 12:3 KJV) For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
 
Christians may be at different spiritual levels in their walk but none is more equal than the other and that is why this portion of Scripture is very important. When we separate the regenerated mind from actions, we will fall into all kinds of sin. That is why Paul stresses the fact that we must be likeminded as we walk in our Christian walk.

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