Philippians 3:13-14

13. Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, 14. I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Translation and Paraphrase

13. Brothers, I do not count myself (yet) to have laid hold on (my goal). But one thing I (am doing): forgetting (disregarding) the things (that are) behind (in my past) and stretching forward (like a racer) to the things ahead,
14. I pursue (onward) toward the mark, unto the (great prize and) award of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus, (that prize which God, the great umpire, awards to all of those who press ever onward and upwardto all those who obey the calling of God, which comes to us in Christ, and leads us ever upward toward God.)

Notes

1.

Paul repeats in Philippians 3:13 the thought first stated in Philippians 3:12, that he did not yet count himself to have laid hold (perf. infin. of katalambano, the word used also in Philippians 3:12, meaning to lay hold on so as to make one's own). The goals Paul desired to lay hold on were stated in Philippians 3:10-11.

2.

Paul was dedicated to one thing. Neither past failures and persecutions, nor fears about the future kept him from seeking this. The one thing which Paul did was to keep reaching and stretching out further toward things ahead, toward his goal.

3.

Forgetting is a present tense, indicating continuous linear action. Forgetting here expresses the idea of disregarding, or refusing to be influenced by something.

4.

I press toward the mark, the goal. A goal is an object upon which the eye is kept fixed, so that it can be attained through constant attention and effort.

5.

Unto the prize. The prize referred to here is an award such as is given to a victor in athletic competition. Paul here compares his attainment of the fullest fellowship with Christ and his reward in heaven to a trophy such as an athlete might win.

Do you really desire this heavenly prize, or do you prefer the decaying award of this world?

6.

The prize is described as the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The term high calling may also be rendered as the upward calling. Everything about the services of Christ leads us upwardupward in service to others, upward in kindness, upward in joy, upward in helpfulness, etc.