Nevertheless, where to we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Nevertheless, having reached a measure of spiritual understanding, believers are to live faithfully by it, keeping to the same standard and sharing the same mind and holding firmly to their walk with God. This charge belongs to pressing onward toward the goal of the high calling in Christ, leaving the past behind and reaching for what lies ahead, being mature in mind and open to God's correction, following godly example together and refusing to encourage those who live as enemies of the cross. It requires unity of mind and purpose, walking together in the truth already gained in orderly cooperation without division, in harmony with those God is leading. That united walk advances step by step on the same lines and by the same principles, preserving the order God has established rather than changing it or striking out alone on feeling and impression apart from His word. Holding fast means watchful perseverance without standing still, turning back, or despairing, but continuing in faith and obedience, confessing sin, reaching for higher attainments, and trusting divine power and heavenly help through trial unto the crown of immortality.
Meaning and Context
Nevertheless, where believers have already attained, they are to walk by the same rule and mind the same thing, living consistently by the spiritual ground and progress already reached. To hold fast in faithful walk with God is to keep living in accord with what has been attained and to remain united in purpose and understanding and practice. Those who are mature are to follow this rule, with confidence that God will reveal what they do not yet understand rather than their turning aside from the instruction given in the chapter.
In its setting, the call belongs to pressing forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forth to what lies before. It belongs to being thus minded as mature, and to God revealing truth where any are otherwise minded. It belongs also to following together Paul and those who walk as his example, and to refusing encouragement to the many who walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.
The lesson of the verse is to be carefully studied and put into practice as part of cultivating healthy Christian life. By putting the lessons of the chapter into practice and cooperating with Christ, the soul rises continually toward the full stature of life in Him and grows in spiritual health. The third chapter is to be read and studied together with the whole second chapter, whose lessons are not to be disregarded, for together they form the best and clearest instruction for this time, to be thankfully obeyed by leading brethren and by all the people, leaving no excuse for walking contrary to the will of God.
Unity and Faithful Perseverance
Nevertheless, what has already been attained is to be lived out in full accord with that progress, with oneness of mind and purpose and united understanding and practice. Those who are mature are to follow this rule of walking together in the truth and spiritual ground already reached, holding to the same rule and purpose, and what is not yet understood will be revealed by God. This is a call to orderly cooperation in work with no division among believers, keeping step together rather than separating. It is harmony with those whom God is leading, keeping to what has been attained and following the same rule instead of moving out independently under feelings or impressions apart from guidance by the word of God.
That united walk is an advance step by step along the same lines, holding to the same principles already received. Those entrusted with God's work must preserve the order He has established rather than change it, so that the truth retains its sacred influence and is not dishonored. To walk by the same rule is therefore to refuse independent movement prompted by feeling or impression, and to remain guided by the word of God in harmony with those He is leading.
Holding fast means vigilant watchfulness without swerving to the right or left and without giving way to despair. It means never standing still and never turning back, but confessing every sin, reaching for higher and still higher attainments, and ever pressing toward the mark of the prize of the high calling in Christ. It means continuing in faith and obedience rather than losing strength through fellowship with the world, and persevering steadfastly through trials and tribulation. In that pressing forward there is trust in divine power to conquer in the strife with evil and in angelic help in danger, onward unto the crown of immortality.
Remaining faithful to the ground already reached is essential to continuing toward victory and eternal life. Here that truth includes the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, to be held fast without letting go. It calls for being strong in the Lord through strong and living faith, staying firmly united with one another and not easily tried, but firm and valiant for God and His cause as the truth triumphs more and more, for where there is union there is strength.
Nevertheless, having reached a measure of spiritual understanding, believers are to live faithfully by it, keeping to the same standard and sharing the same mind and holding firmly to their walk with God. This charge belongs to pressing onward toward the goal of the high calling in Christ, leaving the past behind and reaching for what lies ahead, being mature in mind and open to God's correction, following godly example together and refusing to encourage those who live as enemies of the cross. It requires unity of mind and purpose, walking together in the truth already gained in orderly cooperation without division, in harmony with those God is leading. That united walk advances step by step on the same lines and by the same principles, preserving the order God has established rather than changing it or striking out alone on feeling and impression apart from His word. Holding fast means watchful perseverance without standing still, turning back, or despairing, but continuing in faith and obedience, confessing sin, reaching for higher attainments, and trusting divine power and heavenly help through trial unto the crown of immortality.
Meaning and Context
Nevertheless, where believers have already attained, they are to walk by the same rule and mind the same thing, living consistently by the spiritual ground and progress already reached. To hold fast in faithful walk with God is to keep living in accord with what has been attained and to remain united in purpose and understanding and practice. Those who are mature are to follow this rule, with confidence that God will reveal what they do not yet understand rather than their turning aside from the instruction given in the chapter.
In its setting, the call belongs to pressing forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forth to what lies before. It belongs to being thus minded as mature, and to God revealing truth where any are otherwise minded. It belongs also to following together Paul and those who walk as his example, and to refusing encouragement to the many who walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.
The lesson of the verse is to be carefully studied and put into practice as part of cultivating healthy Christian life. By putting the lessons of the chapter into practice and cooperating with Christ, the soul rises continually toward the full stature of life in Him and grows in spiritual health. The third chapter is to be read and studied together with the whole second chapter, whose lessons are not to be disregarded, for together they form the best and clearest instruction for this time, to be thankfully obeyed by leading brethren and by all the people, leaving no excuse for walking contrary to the will of God.
Unity and Faithful Perseverance
Nevertheless, what has already been attained is to be lived out in full accord with that progress, with oneness of mind and purpose and united understanding and practice. Those who are mature are to follow this rule of walking together in the truth and spiritual ground already reached, holding to the same rule and purpose, and what is not yet understood will be revealed by God. This is a call to orderly cooperation in work with no division among believers, keeping step together rather than separating. It is harmony with those whom God is leading, keeping to what has been attained and following the same rule instead of moving out independently under feelings or impressions apart from guidance by the word of God.
That united walk is an advance step by step along the same lines, holding to the same principles already received. Those entrusted with God's work must preserve the order He has established rather than change it, so that the truth retains its sacred influence and is not dishonored. To walk by the same rule is therefore to refuse independent movement prompted by feeling or impression, and to remain guided by the word of God in harmony with those He is leading.
Holding fast means vigilant watchfulness without swerving to the right or left and without giving way to despair. It means never standing still and never turning back, but confessing every sin, reaching for higher and still higher attainments, and ever pressing toward the mark of the prize of the high calling in Christ. It means continuing in faith and obedience rather than losing strength through fellowship with the world, and persevering steadfastly through trials and tribulation. In that pressing forward there is trust in divine power to conquer in the strife with evil and in angelic help in danger, onward unto the crown of immortality.
Remaining faithful to the ground already reached is essential to continuing toward victory and eternal life. Here that truth includes the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, to be held fast without letting go. It calls for being strong in the Lord through strong and living faith, staying firmly united with one another and not easily tried, but firm and valiant for God and His cause as the truth triumphs more and more, for where there is union there is strength.