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Philippians 3:15-17 towards the mark
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640


1. Philippians 3:15-17 towards the mark
Archery targetAfter putting the "works" that he had done "against" Christ behind him, Paul talks about moving forward, as usual, with double-meanings.

Verse routePhilippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [kjv]
Verse route3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. [kjv]
Verse route3:16 Nevertheless, where to we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. [kjv]

The Greek for "prize" is the word for the prize at the Olympics.

2. Running
The only running in Philippians is in 2:16.
Verse routePhilippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. [kjv]
Verse routeλογον ζωης επεχοντες εις καυχημα εμοι εις ημεραν χριστου οτι ουκ εις κενον εδραμον ουδε εις κενον εκοπιασα [gnt]

In ancient times, the Corinth games were second only to the Olympic games. Paul uses the running a race analogy.
Verse route1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. [kjv]
Verse routeουκ οιδατε οτι οι εν σταδιω τρεχοντες παντες μεν τρεχουσιν εις δε λαμβανει το βραβειον ουτως τρεχετε ινα καταλαβητε [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "τρέχω""run" as in a race and the English word "trek" and as the name of the bicycle company "Trek" or the "trek" in "Star Trek". This word is related to "δρόμος""run" and is part of the English words "palindrome", "syndrome" and "dromedary" as in a "camel".

Information sign More: Philippians 2:16-18 rejoicing

3. Philippians 2:16
 All 
KJV: Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Greek: λογον ζωης επεχοντες εις καυχημα εμοι εις ημεραν χριστου οτι ουκ εις κενον εδραμον ουδε εις κενον εκοπιασα

4. Persecute for the prize
Verse routePhilippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [kjv]
Verse routeκατα σκοπον διωκω εις το βραβειον της ανω κλησεως του θεου εν χριστω ιησου [gnt]

Wavy arrow 1 Archery target
The KJV (King James Version) translates as "press" the ancient Greek word "διώκω""pursue" in the sense of "going after" or, in context, "persecuting".

Saying: One person's "terrorist" is another person's "freedom fighter".
Analogy: Star Wars and Luke Skywalker.

Could Paul be hinting that he is now "persecuting" the "bishops", as false teachers, by pointing out the "truth" for the "high calling" of "Christ"?

5. Philippians 3:6

 All 
KJV: Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Greek: κατα ζηλον ζηλος διωκων την εκκλησιαν κατα δικαιοσυνην την εν νομω γενομενος αμεμπτος

6. Philippians 3:6,14 Pursing persecution
The ancient Greek word "διώκω""pursue" in the sense of "going after" or, in context, "persecuting". The Greek word "blameless" is "without spots".
Verse routePhilippians 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. [kjv]
Verse routeκατα ζηλος διωκων την εκκλησιαν κατα δικαιοσυνην την εν νομω γενομενος αμεμπτος [gnt]

Paul was "pursuing" in the wrong direction in a "physical" way according to man's "righteousness". The Greek for "zeal" is that of "competing with others for the same goal".

Paul is now "pursuing" (same word) in the right direction in a "non-physical" way.
Verse route3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [kjv]
Verse routeκατα σκοπον διωκω εις το βραβειον της ανω κλησεως του θεου εν χριστω ιησου [gnt]


7. Mark of the bishops
Verse routePhilippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [kjv]
Verse routeκατα σκοπον διωκω εις το βραβειον της ανω κλησεως του θεου εν χριστω ιησου [gnt]

Bishop in scopeThe Greek for "mark" is that of "scope" and is used by Paul to make allusions to the bishops whose title includes the word "scope".

8. A bishop to visit and oversee the flock
Chess pieces Chess pieces
The ancient Greek word "ἐπίσκοπος""oversee, visit" and become the Christian "bishop". A "bishop" as a "sheep dog" can be contrasted with a "wolf dog".

Thus a "bishop" is someone whose "purpose" or "objective" is "over" something - such as a church or group of churches. The "Episcopal" church from 1752 is governed by bishops.

Progression: "e-pi-sko-pos" to "pi-sko-pos" to "bi-skop" to "bi-shop" .

German pun: Refer to the "Bischof" as a "Biss Schaf" (sheep that bites)

Information sign More: Sheep dogs and wolf dogs
Information sign More: A bishop to visit and oversee the flock

9. Scope of the bishop
Chess pieces Chess pieces
The ancient Greek word "ἐπίσκοπος""oversee, visit" and become the Christian "bishop".
Bishop in scopePaul uses the Greek word for "scope" (and related words) often in the book of Philippians where he takes the "bishops" (church leadership) to task.

Information sign More: Philippians
Information sign More: Sheep dogs and wolf dogs
Information sign More: A bishop to visit and oversee the flock

10. Bravo fro a prize
Olympic ringsThe root «βραβει» as prize appears to have some connection to the prizes that were awarded for athletic performances such as the Olympic games - originated and popular in ancient Greece. It appears to have the sense of "elevated" is in elevating the event winners.

Since the word appears to be pre-Greek in origin, some thing the Olympics were an event before the Greeks.

Keep your eyes on the prize.
Verse route1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. [kjv]
Verse routeουκ οιδατε οτι οι εν σταδιω τρεχοντες παντες μεν τρεχουσιν εις δε λαμβανει το βραβειον ουτως τρεχετε ινα καταλαβητε [gnt]
Verse routePhilippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [kjv]
Verse routeκατα σκοπον διωκω εις το βραβειον της ανω κλησεως του θεου εν χριστω ιησου [gnt]


11. 1 Corinthians 9:24
 All 
KJV: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Greek: ουκ οιδατε οτι οι εν σταδιω τρεχοντες παντες μεν τρεχουσιν εις δε λαμβανει το βραβειον ουτως τρεχετε ινα καταλαβητε
Latin: nescitis quod hii qui in stadio currunt omnes quidem currunt sed unus accipit bravium sic currite ut conprehendatis

12. Strongs - prize

13. Usage - prize
Word usage per chapter Words: βραβειον=2 βραβευετω


14. Goals and cost
Determine the goal and the cost. It appears that Plutarch used the Greek term for prizes for military rather than athletic achievement. From this would come the idea of "bravery".

15. Root
The root «βραβει» appears three times in the Bible. Once above. Once in the following verse.
Verse routePhilippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [kjv]
Verse routeκατα σκοπον διωκω εις το βραβειον της ανω κλησεως του θεου εν χριστω ιησου [gnt]


16. Peace of God
The remaining Bible verse with the root «βραβει» is as follows.

Verse routeColossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι η ειρηνη του χριστου βραβευετω εν ταις καρδιαις υμων εις ην και εκληθητε εν ενι σωματι και ευχαριστοι γινεσθε [gnt]

Here, the Greek word «βραβευετω» is translated as "rule" in the KJV. Might the KJV phrase "rule in your hearts" be better translated as "be elevated in your hearts" on as "be prized in your hearts"?

17. Colossians 3:15
 All 
KJV: And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Greek: και η ειρηνη του θεου χριστου βραβευετω εν ταις καρδιαις υμων εις ην και εκληθητε εν ενι σωματι και ευχαριστοι γινεσθε
Latin: et pax Christi exultet in cordibus vestris in qua et vocati estis in uno corpore et grati estote

18. Calling
Verse routePhilippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [kjv]
Verse routeκατα σκοπον διωκω εις το βραβειον της ανω κλησεως του θεου εν χριστω ιησου [gnt]

The Greek for "calling" is related to the English word "clergy". That is, those who are called by God rather than calling themselves for their own benefit (belly).

19. Philippians 3:14
 All 
KJV: I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Greek: κατα σκοπον διωκω επι εις το βραβειον της ανω κλησεως του θεου εν χριστω ιησου
Latin: ad destinatum persequor ad bravium supernae vocationis Dei in Christo Iesu

20. Strongs - press

21. Usage - press
Word usage per chapter Words: δεδιωγμενοι διωκε=2 διωκεις=6 διωκετε=3 διωκομαι διωκομεν διωκομενοι=2 διωκοντα διωκονται διωκοντας διωκοντες διωκοντων διωκω=2 διωκων=3 διωκωσιν διωξατω διωξετε διωξητε διωξουσιν=2 διωξωσιν διωχθησονται εδιωκεν εδιωκον=3 εδιωξα=2 εδιωξαν=3 εδιωξεν


22. Revealed purpose
Verse routePhilippians 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. [kjv]
Verse routeοσοι ουν τελειοι τουτο φρονωμεν και ει τι ετερως φρονειτε και τουτο ο θεος υμιν αποκαλυψει [gnt]

The Greek for "perfect" is that of "having a purpose" as the final goal.

The Greek for "minded" is that of "gut feeling" where trade-offs need to be made. This is in contrast to "wisdom" or "head knowledge".

The Greek for "reveal" is that of "taking away the cover" and is the word used for the book of "Revelation".

23. Revealed purpose
Verse routePhilippians 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. [kjv]
Verse routeοσοι ουν τελειοι τουτο φρονωμεν και ει τι ετερως φρονειτε και τουτο ο θεος υμιν αποκαλυψει [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "τοῦτο""this" in a grammatically "neuter" sense. Interestingly, Aristotle reports that the "neuter" is often used, as a Solecism, where the "masculine" would otherwise be used.

Could the "this" being revealed by a "person" by way of a solecism?

The ancient Greek word "ἕτερος""one or other of two" and could be "one after the other". From this, comes the ancient Greek word "ἑτέρως""differently, otherwise".

Information sign More: Solecisms
Information sign More: Other similar differences

24. Philippians 3:15
 All 
KJV: Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Greek: οσοι ουν τελειοι τουτο φρονωμεν και ει τι ετερως φρονειτε και τουτο ο θεος υμιν αποκαλυψει

25. But
Verse routePhilippians 3:16 Nevertheless, where to we have already attained, let us walk …. [kjv]
Verse routeπλην εις ο εφθασαμεν τω αυτω στοιχειν [gnt]

The Greek for "nevertheless" is that of "but", as almost always translated elsewhere, and serves to separate two different aspects of what is being said.

The KJV uses "walk" but that is inferred in the Greek from the Greek word for "element" that means "one distinct thing in a series of the same distinct things". In some cases, this means taking similar and indivisible items "step by step", "in order", from start to finish, as in a "walk".

Jesus provides one such sequence: "ask", "seek", "knock".

26. Philippians 3:16
 All 
KJV: Nevertheless, where to we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Greek: πλην εις ο εφθασαμεν τω αυτω στοιχειν κανονι το αυτο φρονειν

27. One paraphrase
Verse routePhilippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [kjv]
Verse route3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. [kjv]
Verse route3:16 Nevertheless, where to we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. [kjv]

14. (as in the past I did to the true believers Christ) I now pursue (persecute) towards the mark (bishops) for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15. Therefore, as many as that have true purpose, be such-minded. If any are otherwise minded (such as the bishops), God will reveal this to you.
16. But (on the other side) where we have achieved the true purpose, let us take each element in sequence.

28. End of page

by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640