Joel M Bradshaw

24Do 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. 25Everyone 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. 26Therefore I [Paul] do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27No, 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

1. The city of Corinth hosted the Isthmian Games, which were second in popularity only to the Olympics.
2. So Paul’s analogy about discipline, training, and competition would have landed well with the Corinthian audience.
3. The top prize or “gold medal” in the ancient games was the leafy crown. You sometimes see statues of Caesar wearing this crown. It symbolized victory.
4. That crown would eventually wither and die. The reward Paul is talking about is eternal.
5. Self-love is not a biblical concept. Self-denial, self-control, and self-discipline are.
6. Paul was concerned about being disqualified from a prize and it motivated him towards that self-discipline.
7. Is discipline a part of your life? Devotional Bible reading used to not be a daily discipline in my life. Now over 1200 straight days with this blog, it is. What part of your life needs discipline? What sinful, selfish matters should you be taking seriously as you run your race?–JMB