Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we imperishable. So, I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
If you are aware of the rules of golf, you know arriving later than five minutes after your designated tee time requires disqualification. Nobody wants the big “DQ.” Can you imagine a tour player spending all that time and money, only to be told—”I’m sorry, but according to Rule 5.3, you are disqualified.”
No doubt you’ve read stories about Sergio almost arriving late for his tee time at The Players Championship or Rory needing a police escort to make his tee time for his Ryder Cup match against Keegan. For a PGA Tour player, this experience must be harrowing.
In 2010, Doug Ferguson, writing for the PGA, reported the following, “Jim Furyk picked a bad time to sleep in. Furyk overslept Wednesday when his cell phone lost power overnight and the alarm didn’t go off, causing him to be late for his pro-am tee time in The Barclays.” Furyk was disqualified.
Scripture often uses athletic metaphors to depict our walk with Christ. In today’s verses, Paul compares our life in Christ to running and boxing. In each of those sports, then and now, there are rules that, if broken, require disqualification.
So, what are we to make of this portion of God’s word? Can someone who is a genuine follower of Christ be disqualified? As the previous eight chapters indicate, Paul is writing to warn against moral perversity and idolatry. His emphasis is not to discuss our eternal security; rather, he aims to motivate all Christians to run and box like the champion who has disciplined himself or herself to win.
Corinth was the home of the Isthmian games, second only in prestige to the Olympics. Since the Corinthians were familiar with athletic imagery, Paul uses these two metaphors appealing for self-discipline, especially as it relates to their bodies. In the first half of this section, Paul uses the second person “you.” But now, he pivots and uses the first person “I.” He writes, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified.”
Whatever conclusion we draw about this warning, we must receive it in the kind of seriousness with which Paul intended. On one reading, Paul might be saying that if my moral behavior resembles that of the unbeliever, then my calling to preach the gospel is jeopardized. If we read the passage this way, Paul is saying I’ve been disqualified as a preacher.
However, perhaps Paul is saying that if I live as some of you are living, then my apostolic credentials are rescinded, and I no longer would have authority to lead churches.
In light of all Paul has said in the previous chapters, he could be saying something like the following: If you are living in consistent rebellion against the moral demands of God’s law, then you have every reason to fear not receiving the prize of eternal life (see 1 Cor.6:9-11).
Many think Paul is arguing hypothetically. On this interpretation, Paul is using a hypothetical scenario in order to warn those who profess Christ to live as those who deeply desire the prize of an imperishable wreath—the wreath of immortality.
In the end, Paul’s is reminding us that the prize is so unspeakably amazing that it should transform how we live.
Dennis Darville
January 17, 2022
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