3:12–14 · Paul continues to stress the purpose toward which his whole life is oriented. One of the most striking aspects of this account of Paul’s life is that Paul sees “knowing Christ Jesus” (3:8) not only as something in which he already participates but also as a goal he continues to pursue. This double sense of purpose, Christ as both motivation and goal, is explained in these verses: Christ has grasped Paul, so Paul presses on to grasp Christ, the goal of his life. Paul is fully aware that he has not yet reached this goal, nor is he “perfect” (3:12; NIV “arrived at my goal”). The Greek word here translated “perfect” could also be translated “finished” and fits well with the metaphor Paul uses in these verses of running a race. He forgets all that lies behind. Those things he now cou…