Philippians 3:13

Brethren A direct loving appeal, to restate and enforce what he has just said.

I count not myself "I" and "myself" are both emphatic in the Greek. Whatever others may think of themselves, this is hisdeliberate estimate of himself. He has in view the false teachers more clearly indicated below, Philippians 3:18-19.

butthis onething I do] "Onething" is perhaps in antithesis to the implied opposite idea of the "manythings," of experience or attainment, contemplated by the teacher of antinomian perfection.

forgetting Avoiding all complacent, as against grateful, reflection.

behind He does not say "around" or "present." The unwearied runner is already beyondany given point just reached.

reaching forth The Greek (one compound verb) gives the double thought of the runner stretching outhis head and body towardshis goal. Lightfoot remarks that the imagery might apply to the racing charioteer, bending, lash in hand, over his horses (Virgil, Georg. iii. 106); but that the charioteer, unlike the runner, would need often to look back, and that this, with the habitual use by St Paul of the simile of the foot-race, assures us that the runner is meant here.

those … before "more and more, unto the perfect day" (Proverbs 4:18). Each new occasion, small or great, for duty or suffering, would be a new "lap" (to translate technically St Chrysostom's word here) of the course; would give opportunity for "growth in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). "To increase more and more" (1 Thessalonians 4:10) was his idea of the life of grace for others; but above all, for himself.