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Selected Verse: Philippians 3:14 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Php 3:14 |
Strong Concordance |
I press [1377] toward [2596] the mark [4649] for [1909] the prize [1017] of the high [507] calling [2821] of God [2316] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424]. |
| |
King James |
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
| high calling--literally, "the calling that is above" (Gal 4:26; Col 3:1): "the heavenly calling" (Heb 3:1). "The prize" is "the crown of righteousness" (Co1 9:24; Ti2 4:8). Rev 2:10, "crown of life." Pe1 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, which coming from heaven invites us to heaven, whither accordingly our minds ought to be uplifted. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
I 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 the notes at Co1 9:24. The prize of the Christian is the crown that is incorruptible in heaven.
Of the high calling of God - Which is the end or result of that calling. God has called us to great and noble efforts; to a career of true honor and glory; to the obtainment of a bright and imperishable crown. It is a calling which is "high," or "upward" - (ἄνω anō) - that is, which tends to the skies. The calling of the Christian is from heaven, and to heaven; compare Pro 15:24. He has been summoned by God through the gospel of the Lord Jesus to secure the crown. It is placed before and above him in heaven. It may be his, if he will not faint or tire or look backward. It demands his highest efforts, and it is worth all the exertions which a mortal can make even in the longest life. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
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 (ἐπεκτεινόμενος)
Only here in the New Testament. Ἑπί direction, after; ἐκ forth; τείνω 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." |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Forgetting the things that are behind - Even that part of the race which is already run. And reaching forth unto - Literally, stretched out over the things that are before - Pursuing with the whole bent and vigour of my soul, perfect holiness and eternal glory. In Christ Jesus - The author and finisher of every good thing. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
I press toward the mark - Κατα σκοπον διωκω· 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 Co1 9:27.
What is called σκοπος, mark or scope, here, is called κανων, the line, i.e. the marked line, Phi 3:16. When it was said to Diogenes, the cynic, "Thou art now an old man, rest from thy labors;" to this he answered: Ει δολιχον εδραμον, προς τῳ τελει εδει με ανειναι, και μη μαλλον επιτειναι; "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. |
4 And [2532] when the chief Shepherd [750] shall appear [5319], ye shall receive [2865] a crown [4735] of glory [1391] that fadeth not away [262].
10 Fear [5399] none [3367] of those things which [3739] thou shalt [3195] suffer [3958]: behold [2400], the devil [1228] shall [3195] cast [906] some of [1537] you [5216] into [1519] prison [5438], that [2443] ye may be tried [3985]; and [2532] ye shall have [2192] tribulation [2347] ten [1176] days [2250]: be thou [1096] faithful [4103] unto [891] death [2288], and [2532] I will give [1325] thee [4671] a crown [4735] of life [2222].
8 Henceforth [3063] there is laid up [606] for me [3427] a crown [4735] of righteousness [1343], which [3739] the Lord [2962], the righteous [1342] judge [2923], shall give [591] me [3427] at [1722] that [1565] day [2250]: and [1161] not [3756] to me [1698] only [3440], but [235] unto all them [3956] also [2532] that love [25] his [846] appearing [2015].
24 Know ye [1492] not [3756] that [3754] they which run [5143] in [1722] a race [4712] run [5143] all [3956] [3303], but [1161] one [1520] receiveth [2983] the prize [1017]? So [3779] run [5143], that [2443] ye may obtain [2638].
1 Wherefore [3606], holy [40] brethren [80], partakers [3353] of the heavenly [2032] calling [2821], consider [2657] the Apostle [652] and [2532] High Priest [749] of our [2257] profession [3671], Christ [5547] Jesus [2424];
1 If [1487] ye [4891] then [3767] be risen [4891] with Christ [5547], seek [2212] those things which are above [507], where [3757] Christ [5547] sitteth [2076] [2521] on [1722] the right hand [1188] of God [2316].
26 But [1161] Jerusalem [2419] which is above [507] is [2076] free [1658], which [3748] is [2076] the mother [3384] of us [2257] all [3956].
24 The way [0734] of life [02416] is above [04605] to the wise [07919], that he may depart [05493] from hell [07585] beneath [04295].
24 Know ye [1492] not [3756] that [3754] they which run [5143] in [1722] a race [4712] run [5143] all [3956] [3303], but [1161] one [1520] receiveth [2983] the prize [1017]? So [3779] run [5143], that [2443] ye may obtain [2638].
16 Nevertheless [4133], whereto [1519] [3739] we have already attained [5348], let us walk [4748] by the same [846] rule [2583], let us mind [5426] the same thing [846].
27 But [235] I keep under [5299] my [3450] body [4983], and [2532] bring it into subjection [1396]: lest that by any means [3381] [4458], when I have preached [2784] to others [243], I myself [846] should be [1096] a castaway [96].