John Chrysostom

But I am solely engaged on "one thing," says he, "in stretching forward to the things which are before." But "one thing," says he, "forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." For what made him reach forward unto the things which are before, was his forgetting the things that are behind. …

Homily on Philippians 12 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

I, he says, run not aimlessly, but fix my gaze upon the goal. And what is this goal? "The prize of the high calling," that is, of the incorruptible one, which is in the heavens; because the contest takes place below, but the crown is above, in the brightness of the saints. For even a king, bestowing greater honor upon the contestants, crowns them by summoning them to the heights. …

Commentary on Philippians ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Secondly, he shows what his destination is, namely, straining forward to what lies ahead, i.e., which pertains to faith in Christ or greater merits or heavenly things: "They go from strength to strength" (Ps. 84:7). He says straining forward, because a person who wishes to take anything must exert himself as much as he can. But the heart should stretch itself by desire: "The desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom" (Wis. 6:20). …

Commentary on Philippians ↗