Monday, May 01, 2006

Philippians 3:14

Textus Receptus:
κατα σκοπον διωκω επι το βραβειον της ανω κλησεως του θεου εν χριστω ιησου

King James:
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Comments:
I press: Here is finally the one thing Paul says he does in verse 13. And he uses exactly the same word (same vocabulary and form) in verse 12, translated "I follow" in the King James. The picture is simple. While he is ignoring the starting line and stretching out toward the finish line Paul is faithfully pressing forward (taking the next step) in the race. He certainly has no interest in returning to the starting line. What could there be for him in a place he was so anxious to leave at his conversion? And simply anticipating the future goal does not bring it any closer to fulfillment. So it is consistently and diligently pressing on which makes his Christian life what it is, a model of Christian growth both in humility and confidence.

high calling: Paul's reference to the calling here is very similar to Ephesians 1:18 and Ephesians 4:1. The point is both that the believer's current condition is inferior to his true identity and that his true identity is heavenly.

Expanded Paraphrase:
Now focused on my future fulfillment in Christ, the one thing I do is press on both steadily and with perseverance. Motivating me is my ultimate goal in the race--what I will receive when the race is finished--the reward of the heavenly calling God has given me in Jesus Christ.

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