Philippians 3:14

Philippians 3:14

 

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

 

a. NLT: I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

 

b. NIV: I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. [THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.]

 

c. YLT: To the mark I pursue for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

 

d. Amplified Bible Classic: I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

 

e. Worrell Translation: I am pressing on toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [Copyright 1904 by A.S. Worrell. Copyright assigned to the Assemblies of God, Springfield, MO. This edition was published 1980 by the Gospel Publishing House, Springfield, MO 65802. Printed in the U.S.A.]

 

f. Wuest Translation: I am pursuing on for the prize of the call from above of God which is in Christ Jesus. [The New Testament: An Expanded Translation by Kenneth S. Wuest. ©️ Copyright Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 1961. All rights reserved.]

1. “I press toward the mark…”

 

a. I press [Strong: 1377 dioko dee-o'-ko a prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb dio (to flee; compare the base of 1169 and 1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute:--ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute(-ion), press forward.] [Zodhiates: To follow or press hard after, to pursue with earnestness and diligence in order to obtain, to go after with the desire of obtaining.] [Thayer: to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away, to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after, to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal, to pursue (in a hostile manner), in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one, to persecute, to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something, without the idea of hostility, to run after, follow after: someone, metaph., to pursue, to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire.]

 

b. toward [Strong: 2596 kata kat-ah' a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.]

 

c. the mark [Strong: 4649 skopeo skop-eh'-o from 4649; to take aim at (spy), i.e. (figuratively) regard:--consider, take heed, look at (on), mark.]  [Zodhiates: Goal, the mark at the end of a race.]

 

1). The goal we have our eyes fixed on is of course Christ Jesus.

 

a). Hebrews 12:1, 2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

2. “…for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

 

a. for [Strong: 1909 epi ep-ee' a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).]

 

b. the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

 

c. prize [1017 brabeion brab-i'-on from brabeus (an umpire of uncertain derivation); an award (of arbitration), i.e. (specially) a prize in the public games:--prize.] [Thayer: the award to the victor in the games, a prize, metaph. of the heavenly reward for Christian character.]

 

1). In another Scripture, the prize is an “incorruptible crown”.

 

a). 1 Corinthians 9:24, 25 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

 

2). This prize of an incorruptible crown matches the incorruptible body that will be received at the rapture.

 

a). 1 Corinthians 15:50-54 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.

15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

 

3). As we will see as we study these verses to the end of the chapter, it is not a coincidence that Paul, 7 verses later ends the passage with a verse about the glorious body that we will receive. The “prize” brothers and sisters is a glorified incorruptible body like Christ’s.

 

a). Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.