COMMENTARYIn the Greco-Roman culture where the Philippians lived, sports were a big deal. This is demonstrated by the many stadiums and athletic statues that have been dug up by archaeologists throughout Greece. In Philippi itself, there was an athletic facility known as a palaestra where local citizens would train in athletics. Because of the prominent role sports played in this society, Paul frequently used athletic metaphors in his letter to illustrate the nature of Christian living. For example, in Philippians In today’s reading, we encounter Paul’s most famous and vivid athletic metaphor in this letter. He writes, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians This was an important message for Paul to share at this point in his letter. After emphasizing that “righteousness” comes by faith and not by works, Paul wanted to make sure that his readers didn’t draw the conclusion that their work on earth was now complete (Philippians The ancient stadium at DelphiThe ancient stadium at DelphiSCRIPTUREPHILIPPIANS 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.FOLLOWING PAUL’S EXAMPLE15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.REFLECTION1. Paul makes a somewhat paradoxical wordplay in this passage. In verse 12, he uses the Greek verb teleioo¯ to indicate that he has not yet “arrived at [his] goal.” Then in verse 15, he uses the related Greek word teleios to say that those who are “mature” should have this same view. In effect, he is saying that Christians who are mature understand that they are not mature. What do you think he means by this? What does Christian maturity look like and how do you gain it? 2. How do you need to press on in your own Christian race? What are some things you need to forget and leave behind so that you can move forward?