SEV Biblia, Chapter 3:14
prosigo al blanco, al premio del soberano llamamiento de Dios en Cristo Jess.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:14
Verse 14. I press toward the mark] kata skopon diwkw? I pursue along the line; this is a reference to the white line that marked the ground in the stadium, from the starting place to the goal, on which the runners were obliged to keep their eye fixed; for they who transgressed or went beyond this line did not run lawfully, and were not crowned, even though they got first to the goal. See the concluding observations on 1 Cor. ix. 27. What is called skopov, mark or scope, here, is called kanwn, the line, i.e. the marked line, Phil. iii. 16. When it was said to Diogenes, the cynic, "Thou art now an old man, rest from thy labours;" to this he answered: ei dolicou edramon, prov tw telei me aneinai, kai mh mallon epiteinai; "If I have run long in the race, will it become me to slacken my pace when come near the end; should I not rather stretch forward?" Diog. Laert., lib. vi. cap. 2. sec. 6.
For the prize of the high calling of God] The reward which God from above calls me, by Christ Jesus, to receive. The apostle still keeps in view his crown of martyrdom and his glorious resurrection.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 14. I press toward the mark , etc.] 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 skopov , 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 the substance of the Gospel; and of all the graces of the Spirit, in the hearts of his people, faith looks at him, hope is concerned with him, and love has him for its object; and of all the duties believers are concerned in, they all point at him, they are done in his name and strength, through faith in him, and from a principle of love to him, and with a view to his glory; and so he is of their thoughts, affections, and desires: and to this mark they press, or run, as the Syriac version renders it; they look to Jesus, while they are running their Christian race; they keep him in their view, and follow after him, because he is their forerunner, ( Hebrews 6:20), and the Captain of their salvation, ( Hebrews 2:10); they set him before them as their guide to direct them, according to whom they steer their course, that so they may not lose their way, nor move out of it, to the right hand or the left; and from whom they take great encouragement to go on, and press through the difficulties they do; and besides, they know that there is no coming at the prize, but through the mark, for there is salvation in no other, ( Acts 4:12); and that whoever comes up to the mark, or believes in Christ, shall enjoy the prize of eternal life, which is next mentioned: for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus : by which is meant, the incorruptible crown; the crown of life, righteousness, and glory, that fadeth not away, ( James 1:12 2 Timothy 4:8 1 Peter 5:4), styled the prize of the calling of God; because it is what God in the effectual calling calls his people to, even to a kingdom and glory, and to eternal glory and happiness; of which they have a sight, though but a glimmering view of it, and are blessed with hope in it; in which they rejoice, and see their right unto it, in the righteousness of Christ, and have a meetness for it: this is named the high calling of God, because God is on high, who calls them to it, in allusion to the judge in the Olympic games, who was placed in an exalted situation, near the mark, with the crown in his hand, which he gave to him that came first; and because the grace by which the saints are called is from above, as every good and perfect gift is, ( James 1:17); and because the prize they are called unto consists of things above, where Jesus is, and is the hope laid up in heaven, ( Colossians 1:5), and the inheritance reserved there, ( 1 Peter 1:4); and expresses the great honour and dignity of called ones, who are called to a crown and kingdom, are raised from the dunghill, to sit among princes, and to inherit the throne of glory, and are made kings and priests unto God: and may also denote, that the calling to such high honour is from above, and not below; and is owing to the special grace and favour of God, and not to any merits of men; nor is the prize to which they are called, of him that willeth and runneth, but of God's grace and mercy, ( Romans 9:16): and moreover, this calling is said to be in Christ Jesus; for both the purpose and grace, according to which men are called, are in him; the grace by which they are called, and which is implanted in them when called, is all in and from Christ; the blessings of grace, which they then in person enjoy, are spiritual blessings in him; and even the glory they are called unto is in his hands; not only the promise of eternal life, but that itself; the gift of it is with him, and it comes through him; yea, they are called by him, and said to be the called of Christ Jesus; now the prize of this calling, which is what God has prepared from all eternity, which Christ has in his hands, and will give to all his, and which is of immense richness and eternal duration, and shall be bestowed on all Christian runners, or true believers, is what the apostle was pressing for, pursuing after, with much difficulty, through great toil and labour, diligent searching of the Scriptures, frequent wrestling with God in prayer, and constant attendance on the means of grace, and ordinances of the Gospel.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 12-21 - This simple dependence and earnestness of soul, were not mentioned a if the apostle had gained the prize, or were already made perfect in the Saviour's likeness. He forgot the things which were behind, so a not to be content with past labours or present measures of grace. He reached forth, stretched himself forward towards his point; expression showing great concern to become more and more like unto Christ. He wh runs a race, must never stop short of the end, but press forward a fast as he can; so those who have heaven in their view, must stil press forward to it, in holy desires and hopes, and constan endeavours. Eternal life is the gift of God, but it is in Christ Jesus through his hand it must come to us, as it is procured for us by him There is no getting to heaven as our home, but by Christ as our Way True believers, in seeking this assurance, as well as to glorify him will seek more nearly to resemble his sufferings and death, by dying to sin, and by crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts. I these things there is a great difference among real Christians, but all know something of them. Believers make Christ all in all, and set their hearts upon another world. If they differ from one another, and are no of the same judgment in lesser matters, yet they must not judge on another; while they all meet now in Christ, and hope to meet shortly in heaven. Let them join in all the great things in which they are agreed and wait for further light as to lesser things wherein they differ. The enemies of the cross of Christ mind nothing but their sensua appetites. Sin is the sinner's shame, especially when gloried in. The way of those who mind earthly things, may seem pleasant, but death an hell are at the end of it. If we choose their way, we shall share their end. The life of a Christian is in heaven, where his Head and his hom are, and where he hopes to be shortly; he sets his affections upo things above; and where his heart is, there will his conversation be There is glory kept for the bodies of the saints, in which they wil appear at the resurrection. Then the body will be made glorious; no only raised again to life, but raised to great advantage. Observe the power by which this change will be wrought. May we be always prepare for the coming of our Judge; looking to have our vile bodies changed by his Almighty power, and applying to him daily to new-create our soul unto holiness; to deliver us from our enemies, and to employ our bodie and souls as instruments of righteousness in his service __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
κατα 2596 σκοπον 4649 διωκω 1377 5719 επι 1909 το 3588 βραβειον 1017 της 3588 ανω 507 κλησεως 2821 του 3588 θεου 2316 εν 1722 χριστω 5547 ιησου 2424
Vincent's NT Word Studies
14. One thing. I do is supplied. Some supply I count, which is less appropriate, since what follows is concerned with action rather than with thinking or reckoning.
Reaching forth (epekteinomenov). Only here in the New Testament.
Epi direction, after; ejk forth; teinw to stretch. Rev., stretching forward. The metaphor is that of the footrace. Bengel says: "The eye outstrips and draws onward the hand, and the hand the foot."
Robertson's NT Word Studies
3:14 {Toward the goal} (kata skopon). "Down upon the goal," who is Jesus himself to whom we must continually look as we run (#Heb 12:2). The word means a watchman, qen the goal or mark. Only here in N.T. {Unto the prize} (eis to brabeion). Late word (Menander and inscriptions) from brabeus (umpire who awards the prize). In N.T. only here and #1Co 9:24. {Of the high calling} (ts an" klesews). Literally, "of the upward calling." The goal continually moves forward as we press on, but yet never out of sight.
