Philippians 3 · Verse 14

Philippians 3:14

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14, King James Version

Philippians 3:14 in other translations

BSBI press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.
WEBI press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
ASVI press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
YLTto the mark I pursue for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
DARBYI pursue, looking towards the goal, for the prize of the calling on high of God in Christ Jesus.
BBEI go forward to the mark, even the reward of the high purpose of God in Christ Jesus.
WebsterI press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

What does Philippians 3:14 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
14. 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, which coming from heaven invites us to heaven, whither accordingly our minds ought to be uplifted.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 14. 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. 1Cor 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 honour and glory; to the obtainment of a bright and imperishable crown. It is a calling which is "high," or upward ανω--that is, which tends to the skies. The calling of the Christian is from heaven, and to heaven. Comp. Prov 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 he 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.

(a) "press toward" 1Cor 9:24, Heb 12:1 (b) "high calling" Heb 3:1

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 14 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 1Cor 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Philippians 3:12-21

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…

Read the full comment on Philippians 3:12-21 →

Philippians 3:14 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

κατὰkatatowardG2596
σκοπὸνskopon[the] goalG4649
διώκωdiōkōI press onG1377
εἰςeisforG1519
τὸtotheG3588
βραβεῖονbrabeionprizeG1017
τῆςtēsof theG3588
ἄνωanōupwardG507
κλήσεωςklēseōscallingG2821
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦtheouof GodG2316
ἐνeninG1722
ΧριστῷChristōChristG5547
Ἰησοῦ.IēsouJesus.G2424

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Philippians 3:14

  • 1 Corinthians 9:24

    Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

  • 1 Peter 5:10

    But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

  • Revelation 3:21

    To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

  • 2 Timothy 4:7-8

    I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

  • Romans 8:28-30

    And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:12

    That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

  • 2 Peter 1:3

    According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

  • Hebrews 3:1

    Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

  • 1 Peter 1:3-4

    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

  • 1 Peter 1:13

    Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

  • Hebrews 6:1

    Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

  • 2 Corinthians 4:17-5:1

    For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
press.
Lu 16:16; 2Co 4:17,18; 5:1; 2Ti 4:7,8; Re 3:21
the high.
Ro 8:28-30; 9:23,24; 1Th 2:12; 2Th 2:13,14; Heb 3:1; 1Pe 1:3,4,13
1Pe 5:10; 2Pe 1:3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Philippians 3:13

    Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

  • Philippians 3:14

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

  • Philippians 3:15

    Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Read all of Philippians 3

Philippians 3:14 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Prosigo al blanco, al premio de la soberana vocación de Dios en Cristo Jesús.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		je cours droit au but pour le prix de l’appel céleste de Dieu dans le christ Jésus.
German
Elberfelder 1871		eines aber tue ich: Vergessend was dahinten, und mich ausstreckend nach dem, was vorn ist, jage ich, das Ziel anschauend, hin zu dem Kampfpreis der Berufung Gottes nach oben in Christo Jesu.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		ad destinatum persequor, ad bravium supernæ vocationis Dei in Christo Jesu.