Philippians 3:15 says, “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.”  We often say that when we see the word ‘therefore’, we need to find out what it’s there for!  Verse 15 refers us back to verse 3 which says, “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”  It is the true believer who is the true circumcision (the circumcision of the heart – read Romans 2:29), who worship God in the spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in our own abilities.  The Apostle Paul uses the word ‘us’ to include himself in his teaching to us as he calls us to follow in his footsteps of Christian growth.

Who is he writing to?  He is writing to those who are perfect.  Who is perfect?  Who can stand and say they are truly perfect?  No one.  However, this word is not referring to those who have attained sinlessness in their lives…for no one has.  Even Paul admitted he was not perfect in verse 12, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”  The Greek word for perfect in verse 15 is ‘téleios’ and is defined as: growth, mental and moral character, of full age.  The New King James version translates that word as ‘mature’ as do many other translations.  He is speaking of those who are spiritually mature.

So, Paul is instructing the mature believers to be thus minded.  He is telling us that we should have the same mind as he described in verses 7-14, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea 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, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”  Oh, what a noble calling to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”  Indeed, may we who seek to please and honor the Lord have the same mind as described in verses 7-14.

“…and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded…”  Now then, it was possible that there were some among them who did not share these views and aims, who had not yet been brought to see that such high achievements were possible. There might be those among them who had been very imperfectly instructed in the ways of the Lord; those who entertained ideas which hindered their progress and maturity. Paul had laid aside every obstacle; renounced all the Jewish customs which had hindered his progress and had now one single aim…that of securing the prize.  May we follow that example.

“…God shall reveal even this unto you.”  Paul is saying that the Lord will correct the flawed opinions of the true followers and reveal to them the importance of making this effort for the prize. To those who were sincere and true Christians, God would yet give them a greater understanding and appreciation of Himself and would lead them on so that they would fully understand.  The Lord will teach and guide them (and us) until they shall have a fuller understanding of divine things.  (417.4)