Paul lists his impeccable Jewish credentials — circumcision, tribe of Benjamin, Pharisee, blameless — and then declares them rubbish compared to knowing Christ. His deepest ambition is not achievement or reputation but personal knowledge of Jesus, in both His resurrection power and His suffering.

From the writers we read together

Dallas Willard

Philosopher and Spiritual Formation Teacher

Willard argued that the modern church has settled for information about Jesus when Paul was burning for knowledge of Jesus — the intimate, experiential knowing that transforms the whole person. 'That I may know him' (tou gnōnai auton) uses a Greek infinitive that encompasses experiential acquaintance, not just intellectual data. Paul had more theological data than almost anyone alive; what he wanted was deeper intimacy.

The pairing of resurrection power and shared suffering is deliberately jarring. We want the power without the suffering. Paul insists they come together — you cannot enter into the power of the resurrection without also accepting the fellowship of His sufferings. Suffering in Paul is not a problem to be solved but a school of conformity to Christ's likeness. What suffering in your life have you been refusing rather than entering into as a place of knowing Christ more deeply?