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Philippians 3:8,12
Yea doubtless, and I count all thingsbut loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count thembut dung, that I may win Christ, …

Philippians 1:18-21
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice…

Philippians 4:11-13
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,therewith to be content…

one.

Psalm 27:4
Onething have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

Luke 10:42
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

2 Peter 3:8
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one dayis with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

forgetting.

Psalm 45:10
Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;

Luke 9:62
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

2 Corinthians 5:16
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know wehim no more.

and reaching.

Philippians 2:12
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Romans 15:23-29
But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; …

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain…

But one thing I do:
Paul emphasizes focus and determination with the phrase "one thing I do." This singular focus is reminiscent of Jesus' teaching inLuke 10:42, where He tells Martha that only one thing is necessary, highlighting the importance of prioritizing spiritual matters. Paul's concentrated effort is a call to believers to prioritize their relationship with Christ above all else, avoiding distractions that can lead them away from their spiritual goals.

Forgetting what is behind
"Forgetting what is behind" suggests a deliberate choice to let go of past achievements, failures, and experiences that could hinder spiritual progress. In the context of Philippians, Paul had previously listed his credentials and accomplishments in Judaism (Philippians 3:4-6), but he now considers them as loss for the sake of Christ (Philippians 3:7-8). This act of forgetting is not about erasing memories but rather not allowing them to dictate one's present and future actions. It aligns withIsaiah 43:18-19, where God encourages His people to forget former things and embrace the new work He is doing.

and straining toward what is ahead,
The imagery of "straining" suggests an athlete in a race, exerting maximum effort to reach the finish line. This metaphor is consistent with Paul's use of athletic imagery in other epistles, such as1 Corinthians 9:24-27, where he compares the Christian life to a race requiring discipline and perseverance. "What is ahead" refers to the future hope and promises of God, including the resurrection and eternal life with Christ. This forward-looking perspective encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, as seen inHebrews 12:1-2, where Christians are urged to run with endurance, fixing their eyes on Jesus.

Paul begins with tender family language: “Brothers” (Philippians 3:13). The apostle is speaking to fellow members of God’s household, echoing the unity of passages likeActs 1:15 and1 Corinthians 12:27, where believers are addressed as one body in Christ. This reminder of shared identity sets a relational tone and invites every Christian—men and women alike—to lean in as siblings pursuing the same Lord.

Even the seasoned apostle confesses he has not reached full spiritual maturity. His words mirror1 Corinthians 9:24-27, where he urges believers to “run in such a way as to take the prize,” and1 Corinthians 13:12, where he admits he still sees “in a mirror dimly.” Paul’s humility illustrates that salvation’s past reality (Ephesians 2:8-9) leads to an ongoing process of growth (Philippians 2:12-13). The finish line will be crossed only when Christ “transforms our lowly bodies” (Philippians 3:21). Until then, we stay teachable, alert to the Spirit’s refining work (2 Peter 1:5-8).

Paul narrows life’s clutter to a single, ruling pursuit—similar to Mary choosing “the one thing” that mattered inLuke 10:42 and David longing for “one thing” inPsalm 27:4. Multi-tasking discipleship soon fragments focus; single-minded devotion simplifies it. The call is to concentrate heart, mind, and strength on following Christ, echoing the first commandment emphasis ofMatthew 22:37-38.

“Forget” here doesn’t mean erasing memory but refusing to be shackled by yesterday—whether guilt over past sin or pride over past success.Isaiah 43:18-19 urges, “Do not remember the former things… See, I am doing a new thing.” Because God has “removed our sins as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12) and “remembers them no more” (Hebrews 10:17), believers may lay down shame (2 Corinthians 5:17) and avoid resting on laurels (Galatians 6:14). Paul’s own résumé of religious achievements (Philippians 3:4-7) is now counted “loss.” He chooses daily amnesia toward anything that hinders present obedience.

The picture is an athlete stretching every muscle toward the finish.Hebrews 12:1-2 echoes the image: “Let us run with endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.” The “ahead” is both immediate—growing in holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16)—and ultimate—receiving the “crown of righteousness” at Christ’s return (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Setting mind “on things above” (Colossians 3:1-2) fuels persevering effort. Hope in future glory (Romans 8:18) energizes present discipline, keeping believers pressing forward, not drifting.

Philippians 3:13 invites every believer to live as a focused runner in God’s family: humbly acknowledging unfinished growth, discarding the shackles of yesterday, and stretching with undivided zeal toward the promised future in Christ.

Forgetting those things which are behind . . .--The precept is absolutely general, applying to past blessings, past achievements, even past sins. The ineradicable instinct of hope, which the wisdom of the world (not unreasonably if this life be all) holds to be a delusion, or at best a condescension to weakness, is sanctioned in the gospel as an anticipation of immortality. Accordingly hope is made a rational principle, and is always declared to be, not only a privilege, but a high Christian duty, co-ordinate with faith and love (as in1Corinthians 13:13;Ephesians 4:4). St. Paul does not scruple to say that, if we have it not, for the next life as well as this, we Christians are "of all men most miserable" (1Corinthians 15:19). Hence past blessing is but an earnest of the future; past achievements of good are stepping-stones to greater things; past sins are viewed in that true repentance which differs from remorse--"the sorrow of this world which worketh death" (2Corinthians 7:10)--in having a sure and certain hope of the final conquest of all sin. The "eternal life" in Christ is a present gift, but one test of its reality in the present is its possession of the promise of the future. . . .