Note 1 at Phil. 3:17: The Greek word that was translated "mark" in this verse is SKOPEO, and it literally means "to take aim at (spy)" (Strong). Paul is telling the Philippians to separate themselves from the people who are not living according to the example Paul had set.

Note 2 at Phil. 3:17: Paul called upon the Philippians to imitate his own example and not that of the Judaizers or self-indulgent Christians (vv. 18-19). An "example" is one who serves as a pattern, model, illustration, or sample.

Paul had suffered the loss of all things for Christ (v. 7), accounted all things dung in comparison to knowing Christ (v. 8), shared in the fellowship of Christ sufferings (v. 10), forsaken his own righteousness and accepted Christ alone (v. 9), forgotten those things which were behind, and reached toward the prize which was heavenward in Christ Jesus (vv. 13-14), and was walking according to the light and understanding of God's Word which he had (vv. 15-16). He is now admonishing other Christians to follow that example (1 Cor. 11:1; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:1-3).