“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead — the repetition of 'I do not consider myself to have attained' emphasizes humility. 'Forgetting what lies behind' (ta opisō) suggests relinquishing past achievements (and perhaps past failures: both pride and shame are obstacles). 'Straining forward' (epekteinomai, stretching oneself) is intense forward movement. The singular focus ('one thing I do') establishes Christ as sole goal.
Church Fathers on Philippians 3:14
Nothing so renders our real excellences vain and puffs them away, as to be remembering the good deeds we have done; for this produces two evils, it both renders us remiss, and raises us to haughtiness. Wherefore see how Paul, since he knew our nature to be easily inclined to remissness, though he had given great praise to the Philippians, now subdues their mind by many other things above, but chiefly by his present words. And what are they? “Brethren, I count not myself to…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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