σκοπός (skopos)
skopos
goal
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun skopos refers to a distant mark or goal that fixes the eye and directs movement. In ancient usage, it described a watchman who observes from a height, but in the New Testament, Paul employs it as a metaphor for the Christian life. He envisions the believer not as wandering aimlessly, but as running a race with a specific target in sight.
This image appears only once in Scripture, in Philippians 3:14, where Paul describes pressing on toward the prize of God’s upward call. The word implies focused attention and purposeful effort. Just as an archer aims at a distant mark, the Christian life requires keeping one’s gaze fixed on Christ, ignoring distractions to reach the intended end.
Its root connects to the idea of watching or peering closely, linking it to the concept of skepticism in its original sense of inquiry. However, Paul transforms this observational term into an active pursuit. The goal is not merely to observe truth but to attain it through persistent faith and obedience, making the race meaningful and directed.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Life often feels like a series of distractions, pulling our attention in every direction at once. The Greek word skopos captures the idea of a distant mark that fixes the eye and directs movement. It is not about wandering aimlessly but keeping a specific target in sight. When we look at Philippians 3:14, Paul reminds us that the Christian life is a purposeful run toward a clear goal.
This image offers comfort when we feel lost or overwhelmed. It suggests that our efforts are not wasted if they are directed toward Christ. The focus is on the prize of God’s upward call, which anchors our daily steps. By keeping our gaze fixed on Him, we find direction and meaning in our journey.
May you find peace in knowing that your path has a clear end. Let this truth encourage you to keep moving forward with hope and steady faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] goal1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- σκοπὸν1×
Key Verses
-
Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
This is the only occurrence of the word in Scripture, where Paul uses it to describe pressing on toward God's high calling as a fixed target.