Meaning, commentary and cross references
Philippians 3:14
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
NIV · New International Version
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
WEB · World English Bible
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
What does Philippians 3:14 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark,.... The allusion is to the white line, or mark, which the runners in the Olympic games made up to, and to which he that came first received the prize; and by which the apostle intends the Lord Jesus Christ, who is "the scope", or "mark", of all the thoughts, purposes, and counsels of God, to which they all aim, and in which they all centre; and of the covenant of grace of which he is the sum and substance, the Mediator, surety, and messenger, in whom are all the blessings and promises of it; and of the Scriptures of truth, the writings of the Old and New Testament, which all testify of him, and agree in him; and of both law and Gospel, he is the end of the law, and…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Philippians 3:9–14
(3.) The apostle's aim in these actings: I press towards the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, Phi 3:14. He pressed towards the mark. As he who runs a race never takes up short of the end, but is still making forwards as fast as he can, so those who have heaven in their eye must still be pressing forward to it in holy desires and hopes, and constant endeavours and preparations.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Philippians 3:12–17
14. Secundum scopum sequor ad palmam supernae vocataionis Dei in Christo Iesu 15. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 15. Quicunque perfecti sumus, hoc sentiamus: et si quod aliter sentitis, etiam hoc vobis Deus revelabit. 16.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Philippians 3:11–17 (WEB)
11if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do: forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you. 16Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let’s walk by the same rule. Let’s be of the same mind. 17Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.
Cross references
- 1 Corinthians 9:24
Don’t you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, so that you may win.
- 1 Peter 5:10
But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
- Revelation 3:21
He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
- 2 Timothy 4:7–8
I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
- Romans 8:28–30
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:12
to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory.
- 2 Peter 1:3
seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue,
- Hebrews 3:1
Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession: Jesus,