Abstract
This essay explores how Paul uses athletic imagery to re-envision the Christian life in his letter to the Philippians. In order to explore how Paul is using athletic imagery I first examine some common associations with athletes in the ancient world. Then I discuss how someone contemporaneous with Paul, Epictetus, appropriated athletic language for his moral philosophical purposes. With this context in view I examine Paul’s usage of athletics, specifically focusing on Philippians 3.13–14. I argue that Paul uses the image of the runner in this passage to vividly portray his autobiography (3.5–11), which makes use of the common associations with the runner and is structured similarly to that of Epictetus’ usage of athletics. Given this imagery’s central position in chapter 3 and how it relates to other aspects of the letter, I then explore its connection to Paul’s overarching aim. I conclude that the athletic imagery in Philippians 3.13–14 actually encapsulates what Paul is aiming to do in this letter.
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