Philippians 3:13

CONTEXT-Contending together for the high calling with a view to the Christian's joy and crown 

Philippians 3:1-4:9

1 Now therefore, my brothers, rejoice in the lord. Writing you the same things you have heard before is not irksome to me because it
reinforces you. 2 Beware of dogs [backbiters]. Beware of destructively evil workers. Beware of those who mutilate the flesh. 3 We are the [true] circumcision who worship God by the spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh, 4 even though I myself had confidence in the flesh. (If anyone thinks he has a right to trust in the flesh, I have a greater right: 5 circumcised when I was eight days old; from the race of Israel; of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew, the son of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, I persecuted the Church; as to the law’s standard for righteousness, I became faultless.) 7 But I consider those things which were formerly a personal gain to be a loss on account of Christ. 8 Yea indeed, I consider all these things to be a loss on account of the exceedingly superior knowledge pertaining to Christ Jesus my lord. For his sake I lost all these things and I now consider them garbage and dung, so that I might gain Christ 9 and be discovered in him, not with my righteousness according to the law’s standard, but with the righteousness according to God’s standard, which is by the perfect believing of Christ. 10 So by it I know that I know that I know that I know him
experientially [as my savior] and the inherent power of his resurrection [by the new birth] and the fellowship of his suffering [identification with Christ], by being conformed to his death. 11 Thus, I shall reach out towards the out-resurrection from among the dead. 12 I have not yet received this final victory, nor am I yet made perfect [with a new body]; but I am pursuing the goal [running as an
athlete] in order to lay my hands on that prize for which Christ Jesus laid his hands on me.  13 My brothers, in no way do I myself reason that I have already taken hold of the prize. But this I do: Forgetting the things which lie behind me and stretching out
toward the things which lie before me, 14 I pursue [run toward] the goal [finish line] for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore, let as many of us as are fully initiated, mature believers think this thought [pursuing the goal for the prize]. If you entertain thoughts which are in any way different, God shall reveal even this to you. 16 In any case, let us conduct our walk in alignment and harmony with the standard of the standing at which we have arrived. Let us think the same thoughts. 17 My brothers, be imitators of
me and mark out for the goal of your conduct those who walk according to the example we set for you. 18 (For many are walking in
other ways, about whom I have told you many times and now I tell you with tears in my eyes, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ.
19 Their end is destruction. Their god is their belly [themselves]. Their glory is in things that are shameful. Their thoughts are on earthly things.) 20 Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for our savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to return from there. 21 He shall transfigure our humiliated bodies to become formed like his glorious body according to the energizing by which He [God] is able to subdue all things to Himself. CH 4  1 Therefore, my brothers whom I love and greatly desire to be with, my joy and crown, stand firm in the lord, my beloved. 2 I encourage Euodias and Syntyche to think the same thoughts in the lord. 3 Yea, I ask you also, my genuine yokefellow, get these [two] women together and help them, for they have contended together in the gospel with me, with Clement, and with the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the lord always. I repeat: Rejoice! 5 Learn by experience forbearance [active consideration, gentleness] toward all men. The lord is near. 6 Be anxious about nothing, but in everything let your requests be made known to God by prayer and petition for specific needs with thanksgiving. 7 Then the peace of God, which
extends beyond the mind’s ability to comprehend, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Now therefore, my brothers,
whatever is true, whatever is venerable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is amiable, whatever is graciously attractive, if there is any virtue or commendation, take into account these things as standards for moral conduct. 9 Make a practice of those things which you have learned and acknowledged and which you have heard and seen in me, and the God of peace shall be with you.

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The Structure of Philippians 

A. Salutation –Philippians 1:1,2
    B. Prayer for fellowship, fruit, and abounding love – Philippians 1:3-11
       C. Contending together in the face of conflict and strife with joy and rejoicing – Philippians 1:12-30
          D. Like-mindedness in the one Body with joy and rejoicing – Philippians 2:1-30
       C. Contending together for the high calling with a view to the Christian’s joy and crown –Philippians 3:1-4:9
    B. Desire for fellowship, care and concern, and abounding fruit – Philippians 4:10-20
A. Salutation – Philippians 4:21-23

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