That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

PHILIPPIANS 3:10KJV
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Philippians 3:10 (KJV)

What does Philippians 3:10 mean?

Philippians 3:10 expresses Paul’s deep desire to personally know Christ, to experience the power that raised Jesus from the dead, and to share in Christ’s sufferings, even to the point of becoming like Him in His death. Paul is describing a longing for a close, transformative relationship with Jesus that involves both resurrection power and suffering.

Paul is writing this letter to the Christians in Philippi, sharing his own spiritual goals and what he values most. He is not just talking about knowing facts about Jesus, but about a lived, personal experience with Him. Paul’s words come in the context of explaining that all his past achievements are worthless compared to truly knowing Christ and being united with Him, even if that means hardship.

The Greek behind Philippians 3:10

  • "know" (γινώσκω, ginōskō): This Greek word often means more than just intellectual knowledge; it can refer to a deep, personal, and experiential knowing. Paul is aiming for a relationship, not just information.
  • "power" (δύναμις, dynamis): This word refers to strength or miraculous power. Paul wants to experience the same power that brought Jesus back to life, not just hear about it.
  • "fellowship" (κοινωνία, koinōnia): This word means sharing or partnership. Paul is talking about sharing in Christ’s sufferings, not just observing them from a distance.
  • "conformable" (συμμορφίζω, symmorphizō): This word means to be made similar or to share the same form. Paul is saying he wants his life to be shaped by the pattern of Jesus’ death, showing a willingness to follow Jesus even in suffering.

Why Philippians 3:10 matters

  • Philippians 3:10 clears up the idea that knowing Christ is just about beliefs or traditions; Paul is describing a relationship that changes a person’s life from the inside out.
  • The verse highlights that following Jesus involves both joy and hardship—Paul does not separate the power of resurrection from the reality of suffering.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage where Paul explains that everything else is loss compared to knowing Christ, showing the depth of his commitment and the central place of Christ in his life.

Where else these words appear

“sufferings” Greek G3804 · used in 16 verses

  • Romans 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
  • Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
  • Hebrews 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

“fellowship” Greek G2842 · used in 18 verses

  • Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
  • Philippians 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

“resurrection” Greek G386 · used in 40 verses

  • Matthew 22:23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
  • John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
  • Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

“death” Greek G2288 · used in 106 verses

  • Matthew 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
  • Acts 28:18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ?(I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.