earlier reference to spiritual exercise, thus continuing the athletic metaphor (Fee, 105).91 The basis for striving follows.92 This clause is seen as a paraphrase of Col 1:28 by Roloff, 247. The strife is not for personal fulfilment and perfection but for the sake of the gospel. But this would be true for all believers and not just for apostles and other leaders. The perf. of ἐλπίζω (3:14; cf. Tit 1:1 note) conveys the thought of having fixed one’s hopes on somebody.93 God is the living God (3:15