“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death”
— Philippians 3:10 (AMP)

This was not the cry of a new believer. It was not the excitement of one freshly converted or still dazzled by early signs and wonders. This was the burning, trembling longing of a seasoned apostle. A man weathered by persecutions, drenched in revelation, bloodied by beatings, and saturated with divine mystery.

Here is Paul, who had:

• Seen the risen Lord with blinding glory (Acts 9:3–6).
• Been caught up into the third heaven and heard “inexpressible words” (2 Corinthians 12:2–4).
• Raised the dead (Acts 20:10).
• Healed the sick and cast out demons.
• Been imprisoned, stoned, whipped, shipwrecked, and left for dead.
• Written much of the New Testament and birthed countless churches across nations.

And yet, near the end of his life, with all of this behind him, he does not say, “I have known Him.” He says, “That I may know Him…”

This is not the ambition of a carnal man seeking blessings. This is the holy ache of one apprehended by Christ, consumed by the Person of the Lord Jesus, and stripped of all other ambitions.

This phrase—“that I may know Him”—is not informational. It is relational. The Greek word here is ginōskō (γινώσκω)—a deep, experiential, intimate knowing, often used of the closest personal union, even of marital oneness.

Paul wasn’t asking for more facts about Jesus. He was crying out for deeper fellowship, fuller union, greater intimacy, and transforming conformity to Christ.

Contrast of Knowledge – Flesh vs Spirit #

This is the true apostolic hunger: not fame, not miracles, not thrones—but Christ Himself.

• Not to use Him, but to know Him.
• Not to build an empire, but to be built into Him.
• Not to visit His presence, but to dwell in union with Him.

Paul had been apprehended by Christ (Philippians 3:12)—and now, every fibre of his being groaned to apprehend the One who had seized him. Beloved, this is not just Paul’s ambition—this is the normal cry of every man and woman indwelt by the Spirit. For the Spirit always leads us into Christ, not just to serve, preach, or labour for Him—but to be fused into Him.

The hunger for Christ is the clearest proof that Christ lives in you.

“That I may know Him…” is not a prayer you graduate from—it is the journey of your life.

You can work for Christ and still not know Him.

Four-Fold Revelation of the Heart That Pursues Christ #

Paul’s cry in Philippians 3:10 unfolds in four interwoven layers—each a deeper participation in the life of Christ.

This is not a sequence of events, but a spiritual spiral. Each dimension feeds into the next, revealing a Christ whose depth cannot be exhausted.

That I May Know Him #

The phrase “that I may know Him” is the heartbeat of true Christianity. Not a career in ministry. Not outward piety. Not impressive works. But a personal, experiential, spiritual knowing of Christ Himself.

The Greek word Paul uses here is “ginōskō” (γινώσκω)—and it changes everything.

Paul does not want to know about Christ. He wants to be one with Him.

“For my determined purpose is that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him…]”
— Philippians 3:10a (AMP)

This knowing is progressive and relational—an ever-deepening walk of oneness, shaped by the Spirit, not the flesh. It’s not static, but growing. Not theoretical, but incarnational. Not surface-level, but soul-deep.

Paul wasn’t chasing sermons or pulpits. He wasn’t building a brand or launching a network. He had no hunger for religious platforms. His hunger was simple and pure: Christ formed in him (Galatians 4:19).

• Not religion, but relationship.
• Not information, but impartation.
• Not ministry, but mystical union.
• Not doctrine alone, but divine indwelling.

This is what it means to walk by the Spirit.

It is to be so consumed with Christ that the self has no more agenda. So inwardly joined to Him that your thoughts, words, and movements are not your own. It is to echo Paul’s testimony:

“It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…”
— Galatians 2:20 (AMP)

What This Knowing Is Not and What It Is #

To truly know Christ is to be reduced and remade. To love what He loves. To suffer what He suffers. To speak as He speaks. To be conformed to His death… so that His life may be fully manifest in you.

The Power of His Resurrection #

This is not merely a reference to the historical event of Jesus rising from the tomb. It is much more than that. It is the resurrection life of Christ—present, inward, and active—now dwelling in the believer. It is not something we just believe happened; it is something we walk in, daily, because He lives in us.

“And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.”
— Romans 8:11 (AMP)

This resurrection power is zoē life in Greek—eternal, indestructible, Spirit-generated life. The same life that conquered death now quickens us (Greek: zōopoieō — “to make alive, to vivify”).

So what is the power of His resurrection?

It is not just to raise the dead physically. It is to raise you spiritually—above sin, above fear, above the tyranny of the law, above the voice of guilt. Paul is not speaking here of outward miracles, but inward transformation.

What the Power of Resurrection Is Not vs What It Is #

What Happens When You Know This Power? #

When you know the power of His resurrection, you:

• Do not fear death, because death has already been defeated within.
• Do not serve sin, because sin no longer has dominion (Romans 6:14).
• Do not labour in your strength, but by the inner working of His Spirit (Colossians 1:29).
• Do not live under condemnation, because the Spirit of life has set you free (Romans 8:2).

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh conveys no benefit… the words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”
— John 6:63 (AMP)

To know this resurrection power is to live above the limitations of Adam. To be made new, not outwardly polished but inwardly recreated. To be transformed not by effort, but by union with Christ’s life.

The Journey of Resurrection Power #

The Fellowship of His Sufferings #

This is not a call to sadism or masochism. This is not a call to sadism or religious self-harm. It is not glorifying pain or pursuing sorrow for its own sake. No—this is a holy invitation into something far deeper.

This is koinōnia (Greek: κοινωνία)—fellowship, communion, participation, joint sharing.

Just as Christ shared in our humanity, we are now invited to share in His sufferings—not merely as observers of His pain, but as participants in His cross-shaped life.

“But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their intimidating threats, nor be troubled or disturbed [by their opposition].”
— 1 Peter 3:14 AMP

Koinōnia (κοινωνία) #

So when Paul prays:

“That I may know Him, and the fellowship of His sufferings…”
— Philippians 3:10 (AMP)

He is not asking for pain. He is asking for oneness—even in Christ’s agony.

What Does it Mean to Share in His Sufferings? #

To share in the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings means:

This is not to say we atone for anything. Christ alone bore sin. But now, as His body, we are invited to enter the same road—not for redemption, but for refinement and union.

A Crucified Fellowship #

The world offers comfort without cost. The Spirit calls us to communion through crucifixion. This suffering is not the result of disobedience, but of faithfulness:

• When you refuse to compromise, and suffer loss.
• When you walk away from sin, and feel isolated.
• When you obey God and are falsely accused.
• When you love deeply, and are wounded for it.

“Indeed, all who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be hunted and persecuted [because of their faith].”
— 2 Timothy 3:12 (AMP)

Pain with vs without Christ #

“If we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him…”
— 2 Timothy 2:12 (KJV)

Being Conformed to His Death #

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of Paul’s longing in Philippians 3:10. Many are eager to know “the power of His resurrection”, but hesitate at this final part:

“…being conformed to His death.”
— Philippians 3:10b (AMP)

This is not morbid. It is not defeatist. It is the very gateway to transformation, because life only comes through death.

Symmorphizō (συμμορφίζω) #

This word speaks of being moulded like soft clay, pressed into the form of Christ’s death—not physically, but spiritually and inwardly.

“I die daily [I face death and die to self every day].”
— 1 Corinthians 15:31 (AMP)

This is the journey of every true believer—daily crucifixion of the self-life.

What Does It Mean to Be Conformed to His Death? #

To be conformed to His death means:

This is not self-improvement, but self-denial. It is not behaviour change. It is nature exchange. The old Adamic man must be put off, so Christ—the new man—can be put on (Ephesians 4:22–24).

The Daily Death #

This shaping is not a one-time event. It is the daily dying to:

• Your own will and preferences
• Your right to be understood
• The desire to defend yourself
• The need to be first, seen, praised
• The fleshly appetite for control, comfort, and recognition

This is not self-hatred—it is Christ-love. We die, not to disappear, but so that Christ may appear in us.

“For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.”
— Colossians 3:3 (AMP)

Death Is Not the End—It’s the Door #

This death is not a punishment. It is a pathway.

In the world, death ends things. In the Spirit, death begins things. The cross is not a tragic event—it is a transforming process.

Summary #

In Christ,
Shaliach.