Matthew Poole and continuators on Philippians 3:13

13 Brethren, I count not my self to have apprehended , but this one thing I do , forgetting those things which are behind , and reaching forth unto those things which are before .

He repeats in somewhat a different manner of expression what he had written in the former verse with a friendly compellation, gently and kindly to insinuate a caution against the false teachers suggestion about perfection in this state, from the instance of himself so eminently call'd to be an Apostle of Christ, 1 Cor. 10.12. who after all his labours and sufferings for his sake, did reckon, he had not yet arriv'd to the height of what he was call'd to.

But he would have them to understand that he was so intent upon this one thing, for which he was brought by the spirit into communion with Christ, as if there were not any thing else worthy of his thoughts (as Psal. 27.4. Luk. 10.42.)

Like a true spiritual racer not minding what he had received by grace from him who had took hold of him, or how much he had run of his Christian race, reckoning it was much short of the whole, or the main intended by Christ in taking hold of him.

But straining forward, as it were with all his force and skill, casting himself like a dart towards the mark, so running that he might obtain, 1. Cor. 9.24. all and the whole, that was his particular portion for ever, to be received from God, as the purchase of Christ, even the total, that God had in and by Jesus Chri[illegible: 2 letters] ▪ designed him, and in Christ bestow'd upon him, out of his rich grace as his special allotment.

Marginal references: Psal. 45.10. Luk. 9 62.