Scripture of the Week
1 Corinthians 9: 24-27
As we continue our “Dust – the art of follower-ship” sermon series, we are looking at 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 this week. This passage talks about the need for training to win the prize.
As you read this passage, you might like to consider the following questions:
- When have you trained consistently for something that you wanted to achieve or develop in? What motivated you? What helped in those moments when you didn’t want to train?
- What is the place of training in the Christian life?
1 Corinthians 9: 24-27
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 for ever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 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.
In my opinion this is one of the least helpful passages in the epistles and is at odds with much of the other scriptures (e.g. take up my yoke…). I believe that Paul was influenced by his current culture, “circumstances and experiences” into believing a harmful doctrine of social position and of the physical body: Only the fastest wins (vs e.g. “come to me ALL who are weary…”); and “I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave” (vs e.g. “But the temple he had spoken of was his body.”). I’m looking forward to hearing what you’ll make of this… 🙂
Now I am worried!