Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

Continuing the metaphor, Paul likens his Christian life to pressing onward to the goal so as to win the prize. In applying the figure, the goal and the prize are virtually identical, though viewed perhaps from different aspects. Paul’s goal was the complete knowledge of Christ, both in the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings (v.10). When the goal was reached, this prize would be fully his. The calling “heavenward” may relate to the summons to the winner to approach the elevated stand of the judge and receive the prize. The word “called” (GK 3104) is always used elsewhere by Paul to denote the effective call of God that brings people to salvation (1 Corinthians 1:26; 1 Corinthians 7:20; Ephesians 1:18; 4:1, 4; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; 2 Timothy 1:9).