Reaching forth (ézrexrewdpevos). Only here in the New Testament. "Ez direction, after; é« forth; reivw to stretch. Rev., stretching forward. The metaphor is that of the foot- race. Bengel says: “The eye outstrips and draws onward the hand, and the hand the foot.”
14. Toward the mark (xara cxordv). Rev., goal. Bear down upon (xatd). xomds mark, only here in the New Testa- ment. See on look, ch. ii. 4. Used in the classics of a mark for shooting at, or as @ moral or intellectual end. A some- what similar figure occurs 1 Tim. i. 6; vi. 21; 2 Tim. ii. 18, in the verb dotoyéw to miss the aim or the shot. A. V., swerved and erred.
Prize (SpaBetov). See on 1 Cor. ix. 24. Ignatius uses the word Jéua that which 7s deposited as a prize: a prize of money as distinct from the crown. ‘‘ Be temperate as God’s athlete. The prize is incorruption and eternal life” (to Polycarp, ii.). Chrysostom says: “He that runs looks not at the spectators, but at the prize. Whether they be rich or poor, if one mock them, applaud them, insult them, throw stones at them—if one plunder their house, if they see children or wife or anything whatsoever—the runner is not turned aside, but is concerned only with his running and winning the prize. He that runneth stoppeth nowhere; since, if he be a little remiss, all is lost. He that runneth relaxeth in no respect before the end, but then, most of all, stretcheth over the course.”
High calling (dvm «rjcews). Lit., wpward calling. A call- ing which is from heaven and to heaven. KaArjous calling, is
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habitually used in the New Testament of the act of calling. Compare Heb. iii. 1. The prize is bound up with the calling ; promised when the call is issued, and given when the call is fulfilled.
15. Perfect (rédevor). Mature Christians. See on 1 Cor. 21.6.
Be thus minded. Lit. think this, or have this mind, namely, to forget the past and to press forward.
16. Nevertheless. Rev., only. Notwithstanding the minor points in which you may be otherwise minded.
Whereto we have already attained (eis 36 éfIdcaper). Whatever real christian and moral attainment you may have made, let that serve as a rule for your further advance. The char- acter of this standard of attainment is illustrated by the words in ver. 15, be thus minded, and by those in ver. 17, as ye have us Sor an example. The individual variations are not considered. He regards rather the collective development, and assumes the essentials of christian attainment on the part of his readers. For attained, see on we are come, 2 Cor. x. 14.
Let us walk by the same rule (7 avt@é orovyeiv). The idea of a regulative standard is implied, but rule cavdve must be omitted from the Greek text. Rev. brings out the antithes- is better: whereunto we have already attained, by that same rule let us walk. Omit let us mind the same thing.
17. Followers together of me (cuppuyuntal pov). Only here in the New Testament. Rev., more correctly, ¢métators. Compare 1 Cor. xi. 1. Not «nitators of Christ in common with me, but be together, jointly, imitators of me.