Philippians 3:13

Philippians 3:13, in plain English

To keep moving forward spiritually, Paul does two things: he lets go of his past (both failures and achievements) and he fixes his attention completely on what's ahead—the goal of becoming like Christ and reaching home.

Why it's here

Paul understands human psychology. You can't run forward if you're constantly looking backward. He's not saying ignore your past or pretend it didn't happen; he's saying don't let it paralyze you or define you. Similarly, don't get stuck congratulating yourself on how far you've come. Keep your eyes on the finish line.

Who's speaking

Paul

Where it sits in the story

This mirrors Jesus telling His disciples that no one fit for the kingdom can keep looking back at the plow (Luke 9:62). It's also the pattern of every hero in Scripture—Abraham left Ur without looking back, Lot's wife looked back and perished, the Israelites had to stop dwelling on Egypt and move toward Canaan. Forward momentum matters.

The scholarly reading

Paul emphasizes his incomplete spiritual journey: he hasn't grasped perfection yet, but he practices singular focus—releasing the past and straining toward future attainments.

Language and setting

The image of 'forgetting what is behind' suggests Paul is not dwelling on his previous failures (his persecution, his initial stumbling faith) or successes (his missionary accomplishments), keeping psychological and spiritual momentum directed forward.

Voice

Paul, addressing the Philippian community with personal witness

Significance

This echoes the Letter to the Hebrews' image of running with endurance (Hebrews 12:1-2), framing Christian life as eschatological pursuit rather than achieved possession. It reflects the dynamic spirituality emphasized by medieval Rhineland mystics like Meister Eckhart.

11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

13Brothers, 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,

14I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.

15All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well.

Read all of Philippians 3 — Paul's credentials were flawless — and he counted them as garbage. Forgetting what's behind, he strains toward the prize with everything he has.