Philippians 3:14

Philippians 3:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
• New International Version (NIV)I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
• New King James Version (NKJV)I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Context of Philippians 3:14

12Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. 13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude. And if in any respect you have a different attitude, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us stay true to what we have already attained.

Philippians 3:14 word by word

κατὰ σκοπὸν διώκω εἰς τὸ βραβεῖον τῆς ἄνω κλήσεως τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• I pressδιώκωdiōkō · to pursueG1377
• towardκατάkata · according toG2596
• the markσκοπόςskopos · goalG4649
• forἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• the prizeὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the prizeβραβεῖονbrabeion · prizeG1017
• of theκλῆσιςklēsis · callingG2821
• highἄνωanō · aboveG507
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424

Cross-references for Philippians 3:14

• Luke 16:16“The Law and the [writings of the] Prophets were proclaimed until John; since then the gospel of the kingdom of God has been and continues to be preached, and everyone tries forcefully to go into it.
• 2 Corinthians 4:17For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]!
• 2 Corinthians 5:1For we know that if the earthly tent [our physical body] which is our house is torn down [through death], we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
• 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error].
• Revelation 3:21He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne.
• Romans 8:28And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.
• Romans 9:23And what if He has done so to make known the riches of His glory to the objects of His mercy, which He has prepared beforehand for glory,
• 1 Thessalonians 2:12to live lives [of honor, moral courage, and personal integrity] worthy of the God who [saves you and] calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:13But we should and are [morally] obligated [as debtors] always to give thanks to God for you, believers beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through the sanctifying work of the Spirit [that sets you apart for God’s purpose] and by your faith in the truth [of God’s word that leads you to spiritual maturity].
• Hebrews 3:1Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, [thoughtfully and attentively] consider the Apostle and High Priest whom we confessed [as ours when we accepted Him as Savior], namely, Jesus;
• 1 Peter 1:3Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant and boundless mercy has caused us to be born again [that is, to be reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] to an ever-living hope and confident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
• 1 Peter 5:10After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making you what you ought to be].
• 2 Peter 1:3For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

Commentaries on Philippians 3:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14I press toward the mark - · 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 Corinthians 9:27. What is called , mark or scope, here, is…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14I press toward the mark - As he who was running a race did. The “mark” means properly the object set up at a distance at which one looks or aims, and hence the goal, or post which was set up at the end of a race-course, and which was to be reached in order that the prize might be won. Here it means that which is at the end of the Christian race - in heaven. For the prize - The prize of the racer was a crown or garland of olive, laurel, pine, or apple; see…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-21Verses 12-21 This simple dependence and earnestness of soul, were not mentioned as 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 as not to be content with past labours or present measures of grace. He reached forth, stretched himself forward towards his point; expressions showing great concern to become more and more like unto Christ. He who runs a race, must never…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13-14I press on toward the goal: Paul compares the Christian life to a race. Just as a runner keeps going to reach the finish line, Paul keeps following Christ with hope of the final reward (see study note on 2:16). Paul was ready to give up everything for the ultimate goal, the heavenly prize of eternal life.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. high calling--literally, "the calling that is above" (Ga 4:26; Col 3:1): "the heavenly calling" (He 3:1). "The prize" is "the crown of righteousness" (1Co 9:24; 2Ti 4:8). Re 2:10, "crown of life." 1Pe 5:4, "a crown of glory that fadeth not away." "The high," or "heavenly calling," is not restricted, as Alford thinks, to Paul's own calling as an apostle by the summons of God from heaven; but the common calling of all Christians to salvation in Christ…Read the comment

Topics related to Philippians 3:14

• Desire
• Diligence
• Games
• Grace of God
• Obedience
• Perfection
• Prize
• Righteousness
• Testimony
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• God
• Jesus
• Christ, Messiah
• Jesus, Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Christ, Jesus
• Belly
• Concision
• Count

Commentaries on Philippians 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings