Philippians - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

preposition “ek” added as a prefix to “anastasis” should be translated as “out resurrection” or
even better, “exit resurrection.” Paul hopes (Potential Subjunctive mood) he will cross the finish
line, his life on earth, in ultra-supergrace status. He hopes he will be allowed more time on earth
to attain to this spiritual status, but it is possible in his own mind that he may be executed. There
is also the possibility (in his mind) that the rapture might occur before he reaches ultrasupergrace.
The “out” or “exit” resurrection is distinct from the general resurrection; there will
be no unbelievers in the “exit” resurrection.
The way I see it, there are three possibilities for the exit-resurrection. It is either a reference to
the rapture, a special resurrection for supergrace believers, or both. The rapture is an “exit
resurrection” and it is a separate event from the general resurrection. It’s also possible that
believers are resurrected by rank, with supergrace believers going before reversionistic believers.
Paul could be looking forward to the rapture, or he could be hoping to be in the first crowd of
resurrected believers, a privilege according to rank. In order to come to a conclusion, we first
need to identify “the dead ones.” They could be unbelievers, loser believers, or both. Next, we
need to see what is behind “attaining” or “crossing the finish-line.” Nobody “attains” the general
resurrection, either believer or unbeliever. What kind of resurrection is it that we “attain?” I like
Jody Dillow’s concept of “a resurrection out from among the resurrected ones,” sort of being
“first in line” when the rapture occurs.
There must also be a connection between this exit-resurrection and the experiential sanctification
mentioned in verse 10, part of the same sentence. The only kind of resurrection that can be
“attained” by “crossing a goal-line” is an experiential type of resurrection. In my opinion, that
eliminates the idea of a “general” rapture as being the exit-resurrection, since the rapture itself is
not earned or attained by anyone. At the same time, if there is an exit-resurrection by spiritual
rank, Paul would definitely want to be in the first wave of that resurrection, the resurrection of
ultra-supergrace believers. Finally, there is the phrase “in some way.” What does Paul mean by
this? It could refer to death, the rapture, a special resurrection, or by any means possible. It might
also be a reference to his attaining ultra-supergrace while in a state of freedom or imprisonment.
I believe Paul wants to attain ultra-supergrace either before he is raptured or before his death.
And if he lives to see the rapture, which he obviously didn’t, he wanted to be in the first ‘wave’
of the rapture – an honor of rank due to his obedience to the Lord’s divine plan.
REVELANT OPINIONS
This is an example of an omitted apodosis which expresses a possibility which is an object of hope
or desire ... close to an indirect question. (E.D. Burton) While the goal of resurrection is certain, the
way or route by which the apostle will reach it is unclear (i.e., martyrdom, rapture, or some other
kind of death) ... Most exegetes agree that Paul is not expressing doubt about his participation in this
bodily resurrection. The resurrection is certain; the intervening events are uncertain. (P.T. O'Brien)
Paul's use of the word "out" intensifies the idea of a particular and separate resurrection of the saints
from that of the unsaved. This participation in the out-resurrection from among the dead ones will
mean to Paul unbroken knowledge of and fellowship with Christ. (K. Wuest) Hapax legomena - Paul