Paul wanted to know Christ, His power and His companionship during suffering, but how is that related to his hope of resurrection? Was his eternal destiny hanging in the balance, depending on the level of his commitment to know Christ? If only the immediate verse is considered, that would seem to be the case. However, the connection is found in the trilogy of purposes that the apostle had for leaving his old way of life behind (vs. 8). He did this “…that I may gain Christ” (8), “and may be found in him” (9) and “I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (11). He clearly understood the “stakes” when he became a follower of Christ.

As a Pharisee in his former life, Paul would have believed there would be a resurrection, as opposed to the Sadducees who did not believe in a resurrection (Mark 12:18). However, it is clear from his testimony in Philippians that it had been only an academic adherence to the concept of a resurrection. He had not had personal assurance of it, for he listed his desire to have that as one of the reasons for leaving the old way behind.

What point is there in being a follower of Christ if there will be no resurrection? Paul makes that point in his letter to the Corinthians: “If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied” (1 Cor 15:19). Why is that put on the level of significance with knowing Christ? It seems so self-serving. For Paul the resurrection meant spending eternity with Christ, the One he loved and faithfully served! He looked forward to no longer seeing “in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known” (1 Cor 13:12). The struggle with the flesh will be finally over (Romans 7). As part of the beloved church he surely looked forward to that day when Christ would, “present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless” (Eph 5:27). Eternity for Paul would be unending fellowship with the lover of his soul.

The prospect of resurrection is what keeps the Christian going during times of struggle and suffering. “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison…” (2 Cor 4:17). It is the final graduation from this life, promotion to glory, a complete transformation into the full realization of the likeness of God in Christ. We rejoice now, “knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you” (2 Cor 4:14).