I love this portion of 1 Corinthians, as it tells us that we need to "train" for our part in God's work here on Earth. Training is critical to being an effective minister for Christ. My purpose with this online Bible study is to instill some discipline in my own training.
24
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.
25
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.
26
Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.
27
No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary -- www.christnotes.org)
"Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
The apostle compares himself to the racers and combatants in the
Isthmian games, well known by the Corinthians. But in the Christian race
all may run so as to obtain. There is the greatest encouragement,
therefore, to persevere with all our strength, in this course. Those who
ran in these games were kept to a spare diet. They used themselves to
hardships. They practised the exercises. And those who pursue the
interests of their souls, must combat hard with fleshly lusts. The body
must not be suffered to rule. The apostle presses this advice on the
Corinthians. He sets before himself and them the danger of yielding to
fleshly desires, pampering the body, and its lusts and appetites. Holy
fear of himself was needed to keep an apostle faithful: how much more is
it needful for our preservation! Let us learn from hence humility and
caution, and to watch against dangers which surround us while in the
body."
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