¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have laid hold^[a] of it, but one thing I have laid hold of: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,^(A)

⁶² And Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

The Example of Jesus

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,^[a] and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,^{(A) 2} looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of^[b] the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.^(B)

Pressing toward the Goal

¹² Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal,^[a] but I press on to lay hold of that for which Christ^[b] has laid hold of me.^(A)

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it.^{(A) 25} Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.^{(B) 26} So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air, ²⁷ but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.^(C)

⁸ More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ^(A)

The Peril of Falling Away

6 Therefore let us go on^[a] toward perfection,^[b] leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ and not laying again the foundation: repentance from dead works and faith toward God,^(A)

¹¹ Not that I am referring to being in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have.^{(A) 12} I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.^{(B) 13} I can do all things through him who strengthens me.^(C)