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The Red Zone

The Goal.

Do not fall short of the goal.

Where are your eyes fixed?

What distant mark are you looking at?

What is the goal or end you have in view?

Are you going to get the trophy?

Parallel Bible Versions

Philippians 3:14

Philippians 3:14

14 So I run straight towards the goal in order to win the prize, which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life above.

§ 3:14 the goal. The objective of Paul’s striving promises a splendid trophy—salvation in all its fullness (cf. 1:28; Rom. 13:11).^[1]

^28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but ⁶to you of salvation, and that from God. ^[2]

^11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time ^kto awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. ^[3]

GOAL :  skopos (σκοπός, 4649), primarily, “a watcher” (from skopeo, “to look at”; Eng., “scope”), denotes “a mark on which to fix the eye,” and is used metaphorically of an aim or object in Phil. 3:14, rv, “goal” (kjv, “mark”). See mark.

^[4]

4649 σκοπός [skopos /skop·os/] n m. From skeptomai (to peer about [“skeptic”], perhaps akin to 4626 through the idea of concealment, cf 4629); TDNT 7:413; TDNTA 1047; GK 5024; AV translates as “mark” once. 1 an observer, a watchman. 2 the distant mark looked at, the goal or end one has in view.

^[5]

cross references

14. press. Jsh +*14:8. Lk 16:16. 2 Co *4:17, 18. 5:1. 2 Ti *4:7, 8. Re 3:21. the prize. 1 Co +9:24. the high. Ro +*8:28-30. 9:23, 24. +11:29. Col 3:1, 2. 1 Th 2:12. 2 Th *2:13, 14. He 3:1. 1 P *1:3, 4, 13. *5:10. 2 P *1:3. ^[6]

 (3.) The apostle’s aim in these actings: I press towards the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, v. 14. He pressed towards the mark. As he who runs a race never takes up short of the end, but is still making forwards as fast as he can, so those who have heaven in their eye must still be pressing forward to it in holy desires and hopes, and constant endeavours and preparations. The fitter we grow for heaven the faster we must press towards it. Heaven is called here the mark, because it is that which every good Christian has in his eye; as the archer has his eye fixed upon the mark he designs to hit. For the prize of the high calling. Observe, A Christian’s calling is a high calling: it is from heaven, as its original; and it is to heaven in its tendency. Heaven is the prize of the high calling; to brabeion—the prize we fight for, and run for, and wrestle for, what we aim at in all we do, and what will reward all our pains. It is of great use in the Christian course to keep our eye upon heaven. This is proper to give us measures in all our service, and to quicken us every step we take; and it is of God, from whom we are to expect it. Eternal life is the gift of God (Rom. 6:23), but it is in Christ Jesus; through his hand it must come to us, as it is procured for us by him. There is no getting to heaven as our home but by Christ as our way.

^[7]

14. high calling—literally, “the calling that is above” (Ga 4:26; Col 3:1): “the heavenly calling” (Heb 3:1). “The prize” is “the crown of righteousness” (1Co 9:24; 2Ti 4:8). Rev 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.^[8]

^ Ga 4:26 ^ but the ^bJerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. ^[9]  

 Col 3:1     If then you were ^araised with Christ, seek those things which are above, ^bwhere Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.^[10]

1Co 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? ^lRun in such a way that you may ⁹obtain it. ^[11]

2Ti 4:8 ^ Finally, there is laid up for me ^othe crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous ^pJudge, will give to me ^qon that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. ^[12]

^ Rev 2:10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. ^pBe faithful until death, and I will give you ^qthe crown of life.^[13]

^1Pe 5:4, and when ⁱthe Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive ^jthe crown of glory that does not fade away.

^[14]

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