I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Parallel translations
- WEB I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
- BSB I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.
- NKJV I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
- NASB I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
- NLT I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul presses toward the finish line to win the prize of God's heavenly calling in Christ. The whole Christian life aims at this God-given goal.
Overview
The racing image culminates: the 'goal' is the finish line and the 'prize' is the fullness of life with Christ, the upward call of God. This calling is 'in Christ Jesus,' meaning both its origin and its reward are found in him. The prize is not earned by striving but received by grace, yet it rightly motivates wholehearted pursuit.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- 1 Cor 9:24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
- 1 Pet 5:10But 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.
- Rev 3:21To 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 Tim 4:7–8I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
- Rom 8:28–30And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
- 1 Th 2:12That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
- 2 Pet 1:3According 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:
- Heb 3:1Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
- 1 Pet 1:3–4Blessed 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,
- 1 Pet 1:13Wherefore 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;
- Heb 6:1Therefore 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 Cor 4:17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
- 2 Th 2:13–14But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
- Rom 9:23–24And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
- Luke 16:16The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The one who, being in the form of God, emptied himself to the point of death on a cross and was exalted to the name above every name — the joy and prize of the believer.
How Philippians 3:14 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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