I. Mastery of God’s Called
A. Following the prize (12)
1. Refutation of completion (12a)
2. Continuation of intention (12b)
B. Forgetting the past (13)
1. Repudiation of the past (13a)
a. Good
b. Bad
2. Concentration in the present (13b)
a. ‘Reaching forth’ - 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.
II. Mark of God’s Calling
A. Continual pursuit (14a)
1. ‘I press’ - I pursue along the line. This is a
reference to the white line that marked the
ground in the stadium, from the starting place
to the goal, on which the runners were obliged
to keep their eye fixed
B. Certain purpose (14b)
1. They who transgressed or went beyond this
line did not run lawfully, and were not crowned,
even though they got first to the goal.
2. Paul wanted to finish well
III. Maturity of God’s Commission
A. Like-minded (15a)
B. Led by the Spirit (15b)
C. Living up to present knowledge (16)
