Albert Barnes Commentary Philippians 3:14

"I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 3:14 (ASV)

I press toward the mark. This is as one who was running a race did. The "mark" properly means the object set up at a distance at which one looks or aims; and therefore, it is the goal, or post that was set up at the end of a racecourse, and which had to be reached so that the prize might be won. Here it means what 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 on 1 Corinthians 9:24).

The prize of the Christian is the crown that is incorruptible in heaven.

Of the high calling of God. This 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 that is "high," or upward (Greek: anō)—that is, it tends toward the skies. The calling of the Christian is from heaven and to heaven .

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, tire, or look backward. It demands his highest efforts, and it is worth all the exertions that a mortal can make, even in the longest life.