Matthew Poole and continuators on Philippians 3:15

15 Let us therefore as many as be perfect , be thus minded : and if any thing ye be otherwise minded , God shall reveal even this unto you .

From the instance of himself imitating Christ, in lo[illegible: 1 letter]ing condescension, and lowliness of mind, ch. 2.3, 5. Worshipping God in the Spirit, and not having confidence in the Flesh, ch. 3.3. in the fellowship of Christ's sufferings, v. 10. pressing forward to absolute perfection, he here doth with himself encourage as many Rulers and Ruled who were setled in the fundamentals of Christianity, and who had made progress in Holiness, to mind that main business of Religion, for the prevention of what might ensue upon exasperating differences; whereupon he stiles them comparatively perfect in the way, not in the Heavenly Countrey, 1 Cor. 13.10. which doth not disagree with what he said before, if we further distinguish of a perfection. 1. Of integrity and sincerity, which some call of parts; as a perfect living Child that hath all the parts of the Parent, so upon the new birth every real believer receiving grace, for grace, Ioh. 1.13, 16. 2. Of maturity, proficiency or degrees where grown to a full stature in Christ; here relatively and comparatively to others, who are more rude, ignorant and weak brethren, sith in regard of their progress in godliness, they are not took up with childish things, 1 Cor. 13.9, 10, 11. with 1 Cor. 14.20. but are grown more adult, and no more Children, 1 Cor. 2.6. Eph. 4.13, 14. Heb. 5.13, 14. & 6.1. which he doth elsewhere in regard of their experimental knowledge call spiritual, Gal. 6.1. who here worship God in the spirit, v. 3. As many as are sincere of whatsoever stature (whether Bishops, Deacons, or private Christians.)

He would have to be so minded, as he himself was in renouncing all carnal confidence, acknowledging there gradual imperfection, and still to be striving and contending, to a fuller measure of holiness, till they come to be consummate in Christ.

And if any through ignorance of Christ and themselves, conversing with those ready to mislead them should be of any other perswasion in some things onely, considering the different attainments of the strong and weak, and thereupon the variety of sentiments, whence would spring some differences not onely in opinions but practices amongst them (which yet hindred not their agreement in what they were attain'd to.)

He hoped Christ who had already called, or apprehended those sincere ones would in due time rescue them from so dangerous an error, 1 Ioh. 2.20, 27. if they would attend upon him in the use of means to come to the knowledge of the truth, with faith and prayer, yielding up themselves to be taught of him.

A Learned Man reads it from the Greek to this purpose. As many therefore as are perfect let us think this; and if ye think any thing otherwise, even this also, God will or may reveal to you, (besides what we have attained to) to walk by the same rule, to think the same thing: conceiving it not congruous to the sense, or syntax, but aliene from all manner of speaking, to translate it Imperatively, Let us walk by the same rule; but following our own Translation.

Marginal references: 1 Cor. 14.20.