In today’s lesson, we dive into a short but profound expression of spiritual humility through New Testament Greek grammar: ἀδελφοί, ἐγὼ ἐμαυτὸν οὔπω λογίζομαι κατειληφέναι from Philippians 3:13. This small segment of Paul’s letter reveals striking insights into aspect, voice, and perspective — showing how even a few words in Greek can capture a complex inner journey of striving toward spiritual maturity.
The Greek Text in Focus
ἀδελφοί, ἐγὼ ἐμαυτὸν οὔπω λογίζομαι κατειληφέναι (Philippians 3:13)
“Brothers, I do not yet consider myself to have taken hold.”
Grammatical Highlights
This powerful statement includes important grammatical elements that deserve close attention:
- ἀδελφοί — vocative plural, directly addressing the audience (“brothers”).
- ἐγὼ — emphatic nominative pronoun (“I”), stressing personal reflection.
- ἐμαυτὸν — accusative reflexive pronoun (“myself”), emphasizing self-assessment.
- οὔπω — adverb meaning “not yet,” indicating incompleteness.
- λογίζομαι — present indicative middle/passive, first person singular (“I consider, I reckon”).
- κατειληφέναι — perfect infinitive active (“to have taken hold, to have attained”).
Aspectual Nuances: Present and Perfect
The key tension in the verse lies between the present and perfect aspects:
- λογίζομαι (present) — a continuous, reflective process. Paul is actively and currently considering himself.
- κατειληφέναι (perfect) — a completed action with present consequences. The perfect tense suggests a state of achievement — but Paul denies that he has entered into that state.
Greek allows Paul to express a dynamic humility: while actively examining himself (λογίζομαι), he refuses to declare (κατειληφέναι) that the journey is finished.
Reflexive Focus: Self-Evaluation
The phrase ἐμαυτὸν shows Paul’s inward focus. In Greek, reflexive pronouns add intensity: the subject and the object are the same. Here, Paul is not evaluating others; he is judging himself. True spiritual growth, this grammar suggests, demands honest self-assessment rather than comparison with others.
The Power of οὔπω: A Gospel of “Not Yet”
The adverb οὔπω (“not yet”) signals an important theological insight: growth is ongoing. In Greek, οὔπω doesn’t deny eventual success; it simply asserts that the final goal is still ahead. For Paul, the “already” of salvation does not cancel the “not yet” of sanctification.
| Word | Form | Function | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἀδελφοί | Vocative Plural Masculine | Addressing audience | Brothers |
| ἐγὼ | Nominative Pronoun, 1st Singular | Emphatic subject | I |
| ἐμαυτὸν | Accusative Reflexive Pronoun, 1st Singular | Object of self-reference | Myself |
| λογίζομαι | Present Indicative Middle/Passive, 1st Singular | Main verb of thought | I consider |
| κατειληφέναι | Perfect Infinitive Active | Infinitive of completed action | To have taken hold |
Running, Not Resting: The Grammar of Pursuit
In Philippians 3:13, Greek grammar becomes a mirror of the Christian life: full of effort, reflection, but also honest admission that the race is not yet won. The present tense λογίζομαι shows continual striving, while the perfect infinitive κατειληφέναι marks a goal still ahead. Even the small word οὔπω carries a mighty load, teaching readers to live in holy dissatisfaction — grateful for grace already received, but eager for completion yet to come.
