Philippians: Press on Toward the Goal
Philippians 3:12-16; 1 Corinthians 9:24 - Don’t be a benchwarmer! Let Jesus lay hold of you as you race towards the ultimate goal.
“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.”
Philippians 3:12-16 NASB1995
Boy, do I love this AI image of Paul that Steve requested from ChatGPT! Paul is walking towards a goal with joy on his face and his chains have been cut. He is “pressing on” so that he may lay hold of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let’s do some word studies!
Become perfect comes from the Greek verb τελειόω or teleióō (Strong’s G5048), with the following Biblical usages:
to make perfect, complete
to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end
to complete (perfect)
add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full
to be found perfect
to bring to the end (goal) proposed
to accomplish
bring to a close or fulfilment by event
of the prophecies of the scriptures
Paul’s journey towards perfection is still a work in progress in his earthly life. We do not become sinless or perfect, and pretending that you are sinless and perfect is a sin in and of itself, driven by pride! There is no hope for the self-satisfied sinner, and it does no good to compare yourself to other believers. Your race is YOUR race to accomplish!
Press on comes from the Greek verb διώκω or diṓkō (Strong’s G1377), with the following Biblical usages:
to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away
to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after
to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal
to pursue (in a hostile manner)
in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one
to persecute
to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something
without the idea of hostility, to run after, follow after: someone
metaph., to pursue
to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire
Obviously, the usages associated with harassment and persecution and an hostile pursuit are not valid in this case. Paul is seeking eagerly and running swiftly after the Lord.
I may lay hold comes from the Greek verb καταλαμβάνω or katalambánō (Strong’s G2638), with the following Biblical usages:
to lay hold of
to lay hold of so as to make one's own, to obtain, attain to, to make one's own, to take into one's self, appropriate
to seize upon, take possession of
of evils overtaking one, of the last day overtaking the wicked with destruction, of a demon about to torment one
in a good sense, of Christ by his holy power and influence laying hold of the human mind and will, in order to prompt and govern it
to detect, catch
to lay hold of with the mind
to understand, perceive, learn, comprehend
Paul wants to take possession of Christ by His holy power and influence. He wants to understand, perceive, learn, and comprehend with his mind the upward call of God through Christ Jesus. Legalisms will not get him to the goal, but only the grace of the Son of God.
The goal comes from the Greek noun σκοπός or skopós (Strongs G4649) with the following Biblical usages (this is the only usage of this noun in the NT):
an observer, a watchman
the distant mark looked at, the goal or end one has in view
Paul is looking towards the distant mark, the end of all things that are in view when he will finally stand before Jesus. He is looking past his audience before Caesar and his appointment with an executioner.
What are the goals that you are looking at? Could it be an upcoming appointment or a vacation, or a major meeting or conference at work? Could it be your participation in an athletic event? Are you looking only one day into the future at temporal goals or trying to see all the way to the end? None of us know when the end will come but having a long perspective for each today that we have left helps to minimize the distractions and problems of this life.
Prize comes from the Greek noun βραβεῖον or brabeîon (Strong’s G1017) with the following Biblical usages:
the award to the victor in the games, a prize
metaph. of the heavenly reward for Christian character
Paul is seeking the prize, the heavenly reward as a victor in this race of life. Interestingly, this race metaphor and the use of the word βραβεῖον is also found in 1 Corinthians 9:
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.”
1 Corinthians 9:24 NASB1995
So is Paul telling us that we first have to run a race and then race each other for the prize of our salvation? NO! Our race begins with our repentance and faith in Jesus as our salvation (and it is a race for each person alone). Jesus doesn’t save us just so we can sit on the bench and bide our time. The late John MacArthur is quoted on Precept Austin talking about the passage in 1 Corinthians 9:
Because I was athletic as a boy, I played on many different teams in various sports programs. I remember many boys with little or no athletic ability who would try out for these teams. Every once in a while, a coach would feel sorry for such a boy and place him on the team in spite of his performance. He would give the boy a uniform to make him feel that he was a part of the team even though he would never let the boy play in a game.
Fortunately, the opposite is true in the Christian life. The Lord doesn’t place us on the team just so we can sit on the bench. He intends to send us into the game. It is His grace that calls us to salvation, and it is His will that sends us into the world to witness for Him.
We are all like the boy who had no ability. God graciously puts us on the team, not because of our own ability, but purely by His sovereign grace. And He gives us the ability to play the game. So get in the game and give thanks for the holy privilege of serving Jesus Christ.
How can you serve Jesus today? You can pray for others, you can introduce people to Jesus, you can study scripture, you can go on missions to serve Him and other people, you can serve at a church, you can give generously of the blessings that you have, you can refocus on the long view of life with the end in mind and then make that view your life for today, as if it was the end.
He has given each of us certain talents and abilities to serve him well. You can have the Holy Spirit guide you into the Fruit of the Spirit in your everyday living. God never wants us to be content in our accomplishments for Him. The race of the soul can also spill over into our temporal lives, by making us trustworthy people of integrity within our families, in our jobs and in our communities. There are many hurdles in the race, including temptations, backsliding, personal detours that can be disheartening (illnesses and tragedies), and other distractions, but you don’t finish the race by staying the blocks. You also don’t win by looking behind!
I like this commentary from Enduring Word:
But I press on: Because Paul realized that he had not arrived, there was only one option open for him. He had to press on. There was no turning back for Him.
When Spain led the world (in the 15th century), her coins reflected her national arrogance and were inscribed Ne Plus Ultra which meant “Nothing Further” – meaning that Spain was the ultimate in all the world. After the discovery of the New World, she realized that she was not the end of the world, so Spain changed the inscription on her coinage to Plus Ultra meaning “More Beyond.” In the same pattern, some Christian lives say, “Nothing Further” and others say “More Beyond.”
This is where child-like faith meets real maturity. A child can’t wait to be bigger and always wants to be more mature.
But I press on meant that Paul had put his hand to the plow and refused to look back (Luke 9:62).
That I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me: Paul pressed on for what Jesus wanted. His effort was put forth to do God’s will, not his own.
When Paul said, “That I may lay hold,” he used strong language. “The word ‘apprehend’ is from the same Greek word translated ‘attained,’ but with a preposition prefixed which means in its local force ‘down.’ He wants to catch hold of it and pull it down, like a football player who not only wants to catch his man, but wants to pull him down and make him his own.” (Kenneth Wuest)
Paul began this verse with the idea that Jesus Christ had laid hold of him. This is an important idea; yet sometimes Christians react to that idea by being passive. They suppose, “Jesus got a hold of me; so that is it now. I am a Christian and I am going to heaven.” Paul showed a different attitude; he was determined to lay hold for that for which Jesus had laid hold of him. So one should ask, “Why did Jesus lay hold of Paul?”
Jesus laid hold of Paul to make him a new man (Romans 6:4) – so Paul would lay hold of that and wanted to see the converting work of Jesus completely carried out in himself.
Jesus laid hold of Paul to conform him into the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29) – so Paul would lay hold of that and wanted to see the nature of Jesus within himself.
Jesus laid hold of Paul to make him a witness (Acts 9:15) – so Paul would lay hold of both the experience of Jesus and to testify of that experience.
Jesus laid hold of Paul to make him an instrument in the conversion of others (Acts 9:15) – so Paul would lay hold of the work of bringing others to Jesus.
Jesus laid hold of Paul to bring him into suffering (Acts 9:16) – so Paul would lay hold of even that work of God in his life, wanting to know Jesus in the fellowship of His sufferings.
Jesus laid hold of Paul that so that the Apostle might attain to the resurrection from the dead (Philippians 3:11) – so Paul would lay hold of that heavenly hope.
The prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus: Paul was focused on one thing and would not let those things which are behind distract him from it. He pressed on for the prize.
We often let those things which are behind distract us, whether they be good things or bad things. Looking at what is in the past often keeps us from what God has for us in the future.
It is a deception to live either in the past or in the future; God wants us to press on in the present, because the present is where eternity touches us now. Paul knew that a race is won only in the present moment, not in the past or in the future.
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus: The prize is the upward call of God. The prize is the call itself, not the benefits that come from the call or any other thing. The prize is being able to run the race at all, working with God as a partner to do the work of His kingdom.
“It is a high calling because it comes from above, from God; the conception of it has emanated from His heart. It is a high calling because it is worthy of God. It is a high calling because it is so much above the ideals of men… And then this is a high calling because it summons us to where Christ sits at the right hand of God.” (F. B. Meyer)
Because it is such a glorious call, it is worth reaching forward for it. “The Greek word points out the strong exertions made in the race; every muscle and nerve is exerted, and he puts forth every particle of his strength in running. He was running for life, and running for his life.” (Adam Clarke)
The upward call of God in Christ Jesus: As everything else, this upward call of God is only in Christ Jesus. The legalists might say they followed the upward call of God, but they certainly didn’t do it in Christ Jesus; instead they did it in the efforts of their own flesh.
Really good commentary! Paul reminds the Philippians at the end of this passage to have this mindset (attitude) and be of one mind and live to the same standard that they have attained. He wants them to press for the goal with the same zeal! I’ll end this with a list of quotes I found on Precept Austin about this zeal to press on to the upward goal:
It's easier to cool down a fanatic than warm up a corpse. - Brother Andrew
Attempt great things for God; expect great things from God. - William Carey
As well a chariot without its steeds, a sun without its beams, a heaven without its joy, as a man of God without zeal. - C. H. Spurgeon
I cared not when or how I lived, or what hardships I went through, so that I could gain souls for Christ. - David Brainerd
It is better to wear out than to rust out. - Richard Cumberland
A zealous man in religion is a man of one thing. He only sees one thing, he cares for one thing, he is swallowed up in one thing; and that one thing is to please God. - J. C. Ryle
We need an outbreak of holy heartburn, when hearers shall be doers, when congregations shall go out from meetings to do things for God. - Vance Havner
One live coal may set a whole stack on fire. - John Trapp
Get on fire for God and men will come and see you burn. - John Wesley
I have one passion only: It is he! It is he! - Nicolas von Zinzendorf
If by excessive zeal we die before reaching the average age of man, worn out in the Master's service, then glory to God, we shall have so much less of earth and so much more of heaven. - C. H. Spurgeon
I am never better than when I am on the full stretch for God. - George Whitefield
O Lord, make me an extraordinary Christian. - George Whitefield
Zeal is like fire; in the chimney it is one of the best servants, but out of the chimney it is one of the worst masters. - Thomas Brooks
Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay,
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire.
Let me not sink to be a clod;
Make me thy fuel, Flame of God.
Amy Carmichael
Is your passion for Him? This picture says it all - We are in the valley and can always go further on our path to go up the mountain.
My next devotional examines Philippians 3:17-21 - Our citizenship is in heaven.
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord: Please help me to press on to the goal of the prize of the upward call of God through Christ Jesus! Amen.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
The Blue Letter Bible was accessed on 07/23/2025 to review the lexicon for become perfect, press on, I may lay hold, goal, and prize.
Precept Austin was accessed on 07/23/2025 to review commentary for Philippians 3:12-16.
Commentary from Enduring Word by David Guzik is used with written permission. Minor formatting changes have been made to improve readability.