8. Pressing Toward the Goal (Philippians 3:12-4:1) -- Inductive Bible Study Questions

Disciple Lessons from Philippians, Paul's Letter to the Church at Philippi

8. Pressing Toward the Goal (Philippians 3:12-4:1)
Inductive Bible Study Questions

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
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The urgency of God's call, citizenship in heaven This passage flows directly from last week's strong desire to know Christ intimately and passionately, and to share in his sufferings and resurrection.

Level 1: What Does the Text Say

1.1 Paul is using the language of athletic games in vss. 13-14. What words do you see which may have their origin in athletics?

1.2 Which words in our passage do you find which express urgency within Paul? (Cite word and verse in which you find it.)

Level 2: What Does the Text Mean?

2.1 What hasn't Paul attained to or obtained as yet? (Find your answer in vss. 9-11.) Comment: Vss. 12 and 13 use the Greek word katalambano three times. NIV translates it "take hold of", KJV uses "apprehended". Katalambano means "seize, win, attain, make one's own" (BAG 412d) Comment: In vss. 12 and 14 we also see the Greek word dioko repeated: NIV "press on," KJV "follow after" (vs. 12), "press" (vs. 14). It means "hasten, run, press on" (BAG 201b). This is the same word which elsewhere is translated "persecute, run after, pursue." It has a kind of dogged persistent and urgent flavor to it. Comment: The word "goal" or KJV "mark" is Greek skopos, from which we get our word "scope". It derives from the verb "to look at, observe, contemplate", and eventually comes to mean the distant "mark" looked at, the "goal" or "end one has in view" (Thayer, p. 579).

2.2 (Vs. 14) What is the "goal" (Greek skopos) for which Paul is striving? Okay, if that is the goal, what is the "prize"?

2.3 (Vss. 13-14) Why is it necessary to go all out to obtain this prize? Why is "forgetting" just as important as "straining toward"?

Comment: Paul talks a lot about God's "calling" him and others for divine purposes. Vs. 14 is unique, however, in the adverb which modifies it: Greek ano - "upward". Translators render is variously: NIV "called me heavenward", RSV "the upward call of God", KJV "the high calling of God". Whatever the exact translation, it speaks of the continuing beckoning of God beyond where we are to where he calls us to be. God's call is never static, but dynamic, and ever upward.

2.4 It sounds in vs. 15 that some in Philippi may not agree with Paul about pressing toward the heavenly prize. What view do you think they might have held?

2.5 In vss. 16-19 Paul makes it a point to differentiate some pseudo-believers from the true followers of Christ. What are the characteristics of these pseudo-believers?

2.6 (Vs. 18-19) What do these phrases mean: a. enemies of the cross b. their god is their stomach c. glory in their shame What kind of lifestyles do you think he is referring to here.

Comment: Vs. 20 uses a concept fostered in the ancient Greek city-state: "citizenship" (KJV uses "conversation"). The Greek word is politeuma "commonwealth, state" (BAG 686). You see the root word polis "city", from which we get our words "polity," "political," "policy". The verb from which this is derived, politeuomai, means "to be a citizen, to behave as a citizen" (Thayer 528).

2.7 (Vs. 20) What difference is it likely to make in our present conduct if we see ourselves as citizens of heaven, in the Greek city-state sense?

2.8 (Vs. 21) What is the theological word for this transformation of our bodies? How do you think this was this encouraging to Paul in his situation?

Level 3: What Does the Text Mean to Me?

3.1 (Vs. 13-14) What do you need to "forget" so you may go on? What do you need to push aside so you may "strain forward"?

3.2 Paul talks about stretching forward in 3:13 and "standing firm" in 4:1. In what areas do you need to "stand firm" and "live up to what you have already attained" (3:16)?

Disciple Lessons from Philippians

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