Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
This passage from 1 Corinthians 9 is often used in a variety of ways, often when in need of encouragement and perseverance. But it’s important to consider the context in which Paul wrote it, especially since he did not write with chapter numbers, verse numbers, and headings as we have in our Bibles today. Paul just came off a discussion on how he has rights as an apostle but doesn’t always choose to use them, and then he talked about the freedom he has in Jesus, which he uses however he needs to in order to bring more people to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Verse 23, right before today’s passage, says, “I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
While this passage is often interpreted as one of encouragement to keep going in the life of faith, Paul’s focus is more on denying oneself. He brings up images of sports and athletes which would have been very familiar to the first-century Corinthian believers. Every other year, they hosted the Isthmian athletic games. This competition featured athletic events and even musical competitions, and the events were wildly popular among people in ancient Greece (where Corinth was located). The main prize was literally a crown – first a wreath made of dried celery then changed to pine leaves in later years. The games honored a pagan god, so they died out once Christianity became the dominant religion in the 4th century AD. Just as Paul wrote previously that he becomes all things to all people, he was inspired by the Holy Spirit to use athletic analogies to connect with the Corinthians since athletics was a prominent theme in their culture.
Based on this culture, Paul can make the assumption in verse 24 that everyone knows that each runner runs in a race to try and win the prize. No one is running just for fun, or to try and lose! Every runner desires to win. Even though there may be lots of runners, only one will get the prize. That is the point of having a race; races wouldn’t be as entertaining for the spectators or as important for the competitors if everyone received the same prize regardless of their performance.
In verse 25, Paul shares how every competitor has strict training. The race is not just about the few moments that the race itself lasts; it is about the months or years leading up to the race. There is work and discipline involved, and the athlete must exercise great self-control to stick to a good diet and a rigorous exercise schedule. All that work is for a crown that won’t last very long. Even for today’s Olympic athletes, the “crown” is a medal that will physically last longer than the dried celery or pine leaves from ancient Greece, but the fame is still fleeting.
But the difference between runners competing in races and the believer in Jesus Christ “running the race” of life is that the believer’s victory crown will last forever! The believer will receive eternal life as their reward. John referred to this as a crown in Revelation 2:10 as well: “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”
Because of this greater reward, Paul shares in verse 26 how he does not run like one who doesn’t have a purpose. He then brings up another athletic analogy of boxing, comparing running aimlessly to a boxer beating the air. These images point to a lack of discipline and a lack of purpose. Paul definitely has a purpose – to preach nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-2).
Instead of running aimlessly or boxing the air, Paul says, “No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (verse 27). Ancient boxers were even more violent than the sport is today, pummeling one another with leather over their knuckles. Paul compares his Christian self-discipline to ancient boxing, showing how he needs to take his sinful desires under control in order to focus on the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
Paul not only preaches the gospel message but he needs to live it out in his own life as well. It is one thing to share the words of the gospel message with others; it is another thing to live it with your entire life! Paul knows that he doesn’t just need to preach the message but he needs to live it – both for his example to strengthen his preaching and so he, too, may receive that prize of eternal life.
While Paul was definitely a recipient of God’s grace and forgiveness, that did not give him an excuse to not be self-disciplined and strive toward living a life that honors God in all ways. While this passage can definitely be one of encouragement for believers, it is a call to discipline ourselves for God. Just as an athlete would take care of their body in order to prepare for an important race, so should the Christian take care of their spiritual health in order to prepare for the crown of eternal life that we will win.
While only one runner wins the crown in a physical race, every believer who has faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death and resurrection will win the crown of eternal life! Strive to be disciplined in your faith through prayer, reading the Bible, hearing the Word preached, and gathering with other believers to worship God. Be disciplined as Paul was in order to strive for that greatest prize of all!
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