Run your Race with Strict Discipline

I Corinthians 9:24-27

I Cor. 8-10 deals with eating meat sacrificed to idols & participating in pagan temple feasts. Paul exhorted  them to give up their rights to win others to Christ & be a fellow partaker of the Gospel. The Olympic Games held every 4 years & the Isthmian Games held every 2 years at Corinth were big events to the  Corinthians. Paul likened life to running a race. It calls for:

1. Determination (v24): In the races there was many competitors, but only one would receive the prized. The point is not that we are in competition with one another, but that we compete with the same intensity of the one who would win. Sometimes we are not giving our best.

2. Preparation (v25a):

a) “competes” ἀγωνιζομαι implies agony. Self-control- preparation included 10 months of strict training with abstinence from unwholesome food, drink & other indulgences. There was rigid exercise & practice with judges (who could disqualif7) monitoring them.

b) He is not encouraging extreme asceticism (extreme denial of bodily appetites), but replacing unhealthy practices with healthy ones which put you at the top of your game. There are people to be won for Christ & others we can help grow spiritually.

3. Motivation (v25b)

a) perishable wreath – earlier parsley, then pine leaves which quickly shriveled. They were driven by fame & wealth that followed, but even that did not last.

b) Our reward is imperishable/incorruptible (I Peter 1:4, I Cor. 15:52). Its glory will not diminish with the passing of time. Our drive should be more than an exceptional athlete.

4. Concentration (v26)

a) “I” personal application, “running…without aim” A runner has his eyes & mind on the finish line & runs to maximize his effort without distraction. If we have our eyes on Jesus and what He has for us, we will not be preoccupied with others or difficulties.

b) “box”- the metaphor shifts to boxing. There was more brutal than ours, but still boxing. “beating the air”- shadow boxing as in practice OR swinging wildly & missing your opponent (matching running aimlessly). This wastes valuable energy & leaves you vulnerable. Each blow is calculated & important.

5. Subjugation (v27)

a) “discipline”- to strike under the eye & give a black eye. Now your opponent is your body. This does not mean your body & its desires are evil. This refers to your body as an instrument of sin. “make it. “make it my slave”- because of your sinful nature, if you do not control it, it will control you.

b) “preached” – used of the official herald in the public games, but probably here of his proclamation of the Gospel.

c) “disqualified”- rejected after failing the test. In the analogy, disqualified from the competition & winning the prize. One’s life becomes a detriment for the cause of Christ so God puts you aside. 10:1-5 cautions this happened to many Israelites who were delivered from Egyptian bondage. Warnings & assurance go together (10:13, 1:30, 6:11). God wants us confident but not complacent.