Albert Barnes Commentary Philippians 3:11

"if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead." — Philippians 3:11 (ASV)

If by any means. This implies that he intended to use the most strenuous exertions to obtain the goal.

I might attain unto. That is, I might reach, or I might secure, this goal.

The resurrection of the dead. Paul believed that all the dead would be raised (Acts 24:15; Acts 26:6–8), and in this respect, he would certainly attain to the resurrection of the dead, in common with all mankind. But the phrase, "the resurrection of the dead," could also be used in a more limited sense to denote the resurrection of the righteous as a most desirable goal, and this could be achieved through effort.

It was this that Paul sought—this for which he strove—this that was so radiant a goal in his view that it was to be secured at any sacrifice. To rise with the saints; to enter with them into the blessedness of the heavenly inheritance, was a goal that the apostle thought was worth every possible effort. The doctrine of the resurrection was, in his view, what distinguished the true religion and made it of such inestimable value (Acts 26:6–7; Acts 23:6; 1 Corinthians 15), and he sought to participate in the full honor and glory of such a resurrection.