salvation through resurrection. Because presents the substance of Paul’s hope—the perfection of the resurrection. Pursue (cp. v. 12), goal, and prize use athletic imagery of the runner’s energy, focus, and reward. “The prize” is God’s heavenly call (to heaven), like a referee calling a winner to the platform to receive the prize. 3:15–16 Paul exhorted the mature (lit “perfect”). The use of the same root word in v. 12 reveals that Paul addressed the false teachers who claimed perfection. Think this