1 Coríntios 9
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Coríntios 9
Wiersbe has an interesting thought - "We do not have the right to give up our freedom, for that was purchased by Christ (Gal. 5:1+); but we do have the freedom to give up our rights." Liberty cannot be limited without self-control. -- John MacArthur
1 Coríntios 9
Wiersbe says, “Since oxen cannot read, this verse was not written for them.” The law about oxen stated a principle that had greater application. However, “We must not make the mistake of thinking that Paul means to explain that commandment allegorically; for some empty-headed creatures make this an excuse for turning everything into allegory, so that they change dogs into men, trees into angels, and convert the whole of Scripture into an amusing game.” (Calvin) YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING - Paul quotes the Septuagint of Dt 25:4. Muzzle is kemoo (used only here) and describes putting something over the mouth of an ox treading grain to keep them from eating. The picture is of an ox working and how foolish it would be to prohibit the ox nourishment lest he become weak and not be able to continue the job of threshing. Threshing (aloao) means to thrash, to tread or trample out. Sledges were drawn by teams of oxen and encircled the pile of grain heaped in the center of the threshing floor. Arnold - The ox was used in treading out the corn for threshing. The ox trampled the corn, shaking the grain loose from the husks. The mixture was then tossed up in the breeze and the wind blew the chaff away while the heavier grain fell straight down. The ox was not muzzled while he trod the grain which means he could eat some if he chose. The plowman and thresher do this in the confidence (hope) that they will eat, so the minister preaches with the confidence the people will give him support. God is not concerned (melo) about oxen, is He? - While God cares for His creatures, He cares even more for His new creatures in Christ (2 Cor 5:17YLT+)!
1 Coríntios 9
Wiersbe - NOT IN IT FOR THE MONEY It is unfortunate when the ministry of the Gospel is sometimes hindered by an overemphasis on money. The unsaved world is convinced that most preachers and missionaries are only involved in "religious rackets" to take money from innocent people. No doubt there are religious "racketeers" in the world today, people who "use" religion to exploit others and control them. We would certainly not agree with their purposes or their practices. We must make sure that nothing we do in our own ministry gives the impression that we are of their number. A wrong attitude toward money has hindered the Gospel from the earliest days of the church. Simon the magician thought he could buy the gift of the Spirit with money (Acts 8:18-24). Ananias and Sapphira loved money more than they loved the truth, and God killed them (Acts 5). For eighteen fruitful years, Dr. H.A. Ironside pastored Moody Church in Chicago. I recall the first time I heard him announce an offering. He said, "We ask God's people to give generously. If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ, we do not ask you to give. We have a gift for you—eternal life through faith in Christ!" He made it clear that the offering was for believers, lest the unsaved in the congregation stumble over money and then reject the Gospel. (Pause for Power) 1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. Amplified - For although I am free in every way from anyone’s control, I have made myself a bond servant to everyone, so that I might gain the more [for Christ]. NET 1 Corinthians 9:19 For since I am free from all I can make myself a slave to all, in order to gain even more people. NLT 1 Corinthians 9:19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. ESV 1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. NIV 1 Corinthians 9:19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. GNT 1 Corinthians 9:19 Ἐλεύθερος γὰρ ὢν ἐκ πάντων πᾶσιν ἐμαυτὸν ἐδούλωσα, ἵνα τοὺς πλείονας κερδήσω· KJV 1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. YLT 1 Corinthians 9:19 for being free from all men, to all men I made myself servant, that the more I might gain; ASV 1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. CSB 1 Corinthians 9:19 Although I am a free man and not anyone's slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people. MIT 1 Corinthians 9:19 For although I am independent of all people, I made myself a servant to all that I might win even more. NKJ 1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; NRS 1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. NAB 1 Corinthians 9:19 Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. NJB 1 Corinthians 9:19 So though I was not a slave to any human being, I put myself in slavery to all people, to win as many as I could. GWN 1 Corinthians 9:19 Although I'm free from all people, I have made myself a slave for all people to win more of them. BBE 1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I was free from all men, I made myself a servant to all, so that more might have salvation. I am free from all men: 1Co 9:1 Ga 5:1 made: 1Co 10:33 Mt 20:26-28 Joh 13:14,15 Ro 1:14 15:2 2Co 4:5 Ga 5:13 that: 1Co 9:20-22 7:16 Pr 11:30 Mt 18:15 Ro 11:14 1Ti 4:16 2Ti 2:10 Jas 5:19,20 1Pe 3:1 1 Corinthians 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Galatians 5:1+ It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Corinthians 4:5+ For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. PAUL'S EXAMPLE OF A BONDSERVANT Keep the context in mind for "Paul is writing against the Corinthians who were demanding their rights. He is showing how he laid aside his rights for the sake of others. He had a right to support in the ministry (1Cor 9:1-14), but he laid aside that right so as not to be a hindrance to the gospel (1Cor 9:15-18). Here he is arguing that he had a right to be free from the social customs of others in non-moral areas, but he laid aside that right and enslaved himself to all, becoming all things to all men that by all means he might save some. We need to understand that to win others to Christ, we must share the content of the gospel (1Cor 9:18). People will not be converted by watching our lives alone, without hearing the good news about Christ. But what Paul tells us here is that we should remove all cultural barriers that would needlessly distract or offend those we are trying to reach. We don’t want our outward appearance or political views to be the issue. We want the gospel to be the issue." (Steven
1 Coríntios 9
Wiersbe - What a paradox: free from all men, yet the servant of all men! “Ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor. 4:5). Because he was free, Paul was able to serve others and to set aside his own rights for their sake. Utley on slave to all - This is the emphasis on proper Christian responsibility (cf. Rom. 14:1–15:13; 2 Cor. 4:5). Because Paul was a slave of Christ, he was a slave of all who Christ came to serve and save, both the believer and the unbeliever.
1 Coríntios 9
Wiersbe - It is unfortunate that the phrase “all things to all men” (1 Cor. 9:22) has been used and abused by the world and made to mean what Paul did not intend for it to mean. Paul was not a chameleon who changed his message and methods with each new situation. Nor was Paul a compromiser who adjusted his message to please his audience. He was an ambassador, not a politician! It is worth noting that our Lord followed the same approach. To the highborn Jew, Nicodemus, He talked about spiritual birth (John 3); but to the Samaritan woman, He spoke about living water (John 4). Jesus was flexible and adaptable, and Paul followed His example. Neither Jesus nor Paul had an inflexible “evangelistic formula” that was used in every situation. It takes tact to have contact. When the people I witness to tell me about their experience of confirmation, I tell them that I too was confirmed. I express my appreciation for the pastor who taught me and prayed for me. Then I tell them, “A year after I was confirmed, I met Jesus Christ personally and was born again.” A good witness tries to build bridges, not walls. Arnold - Paul also said, “that by all possible means I might save some.” He was for different methods in evangelism. Methods may vary from one generation to another, one locality to another or one country to another, but the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified for sinners must never change. Any means is acceptable to God--friendship evangelism, mass evangelism, door-to-door evangelism, media evangelism through TV and radio. The means change but the message never changes. We must never compromise the full gospel of Jesus Christ. What are the essentials of the gospel or good news? Jesus Christ died for sinful people to deliver them from eternal judgment. All those who believe Christ died for their sins and rose from the dead to give them eternal life and bow to Christ as Lord, acknowledging His right to rule over them, will be forgiven for every sin n they have ever committed, given eternal life, granted the Holy Spirit and be guaranteed a place in heaven. Every one of us should be personally involved by one means or another in reaching people for Christ. Brian Bell on all things to all people - I have become all things to all men – doesn’t mean Paul had no convictions. It means he used his convictions to build bridges, not walls! Which do you build? Bridges or Walls? Bridges: with a Jehovah's Witness this morning. We both love Jesus, but we both see Him as Someone completely different. With the Yoga lady Kim I met on plane - we are both spiritual. With anyone from India I meet, “Hey, I love your country, food, people.” Walls: Can you think of a wall you erected while witnessing to someone before? Time I got frustrated with a Jehovah's Witness. lady and told her she was going to hell! (wall or bridge) [I went back and apologized later].. We should witness with tact! Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy! Paul would “come-alongside” but not “compromise”! What barriers do you find difficult to cross...so as to win a friend of yours to Christ? THOUGHT - Paul was willing to do anything and everything (legal and not sinful) to see people come to Christ. We would call that zealous passion! How would you describe your passion for the salvation of the lost in your sphere of influence? Save (4982)(sozo) has the basic meaning of rescuing one from great peril. Additional nuances include to protect, keep alive, preserve life, deliver, heal, be made whole. Sozo is sometimes used of physical deliverance from danger of perishing (see Mt 8:25; Mt 14:30; Lk 23:35; Acts 27:20, 27:31), physical healing from sickness (Mt 9:21, 22; Mk 5:23, Acts 4:9), and deliverance from demonic possession (Lk 8:36). More often sozo refers to salvation in a spiritual sense to rescue or preserve from eternal death, from judgment, sin, bring salvation, bring to salvation (active sense = Mt 18:11; Lk 7:50; Jn 12:47; Ro 11:14; 1 Cor 1:21; 7:16; Titus 3:5; Hb 7:25; Jas 4:12; 5:20; 1 Pet 3:21 or passive sense = be rescued or saved, attain salvation = Mt 24:13; Mk 10:26; Lk 13:23; 18:26; Jn 3:17; Jn 5:34; Acts 11:14; 15:1, 11; Ro 8:24; 11:26; 1 Cor. 3:15; 5:5; Eph 2:5, 8; 1 Ti 2:4). Jesus' very Name speaks of His primary purpose to save men from their sin - "She (Mary) will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save (sozo) His people from their sins." (Mt 1:21+) In Mt 1:21 sozo is equated with deliverance from sins (guilt and power of) with Jesus' Name being a transliteration of Joshua meaning "Jehovah is salvation". Sozo in the Corinthian letters - 1 Co. 1:18; 1 Co. 1:21; 1 Co. 3:15; 1 Co. 5:5; 1 Co. 7:16; 1 Co. 9:22; 1 Co. 10:33; 1 Co. 15:2; 2 Co. 2:15 Related Resources: Should a church be seeker sensitive? | GotQuestions.org - Excerpt - "Short sermons (typically 20 minutes at most) are usually focused on self-improvement. Supporters of this movement will say that the single reason behind all the expense, state-of-the-art tech gear, and theatrics is to reach the unsaved with the gospel; however, rarely are sin, hell, or repentance spoken of, and Jesus Christ as the exclusive way to heaven is rarely mentioned. Such doctrines are considered “divisive.”.....Further, the seeker-friendly gospel presentation is based on the idea that if you will believe in Jesus, He will make your life better. Should churches be seeker-friendly? | GotQuestions.org What is Willow Creek? | GotQuestions.org (INTERESTING ARTICLE ON ONE OF THE LARGER SEEMINGLY "SUCCESSFUL" CHURCHES IN AMERICA IN PAST COUPLE OF DECADES). (SEE ALSO SUMMARY "WILLOW CREEK REVEAL STUDY") What is an attractional church? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean to be missional? Should Christians be missional? | GotQuestions.org Question: What does it mean to become all things to all people (1 Corinthians 9:22)? Answer: To understand what the apostle Paul meant when he wrote, “I have become all things to all people,” we must keep the statement in context. Paul was explaining to the Corinthian church his motivation for submitting himself to a hard life. He had relinquished his rights to be married (verse 5) and to draw a salary from the church (verses 6–12). Paul had completely abandoned himself to the purposes of Christ and bore the marks of that decision in his own body (see Galatians 2:20; 6:17). Part of Paul’s calling was to preach to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:8), and that required him to change elements of his approach when needed: “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:19–23). What this does NOT mean is that we are to compromise with the world in order to fit in. Some have used Paul’s statement “I have become all things to all people” as an excuse to live worldly lives, assuming that unrepentant sinners will be impressed and want to come to Christ. But Paul never compromised God’s moral standards set forth in Scripture; rather, he was willing to forgo traditions and familiar comforts in order to reach any audience, Jewish or non-Jewish. For example, when in Athens, Paul established rapport with the Greeks before telling them about Jesus. He stood amidst their many idols and commented about their devotion to their gods (Acts 17:22). Rather than rail against the idolatry of Athens, Paul used those symbols of pagan pride to gain their attention. Another time, when speaking to educated Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, Paul pointed out his own high level of education in order to earn their respect (Acts 22:1–2). Later, when in Roman custody and about to be flogged, Paul mentioned that he was a Roman citizen and avoided the flogging (Acts 22:25–29). He never bragged about his credentials, but if pertinent information would give him credibility with a specific audience, he did what he could to find common ground with them. He knew how to behave in a Hebrew household, but he could dispense with the cultural Jewish traditions when he was in a Greek household. He could be “all things to all people” for the sake of the gospel. There are several ways we can “become all things to all people”: 1. Listen. We are often too eager to share our own thoughts, especially when we know the other person needs to hear about Jesus. One common mistake is to jump into a conversation before we really hear what the other person is saying. We all appreciate being heard; when we extend that courtesy to someone else, he or she is more likely to listen to what we have to say. By listening first, the other person becomes an individual we care about rather than simply a mission field to convert. 2. Be kind. This should go without saying for Christians, but, unfortunately, we can forget kindness in the passion of the moment. This is especially true on the internet. Online anonymity leads many people, even some professing to represent Christ, to make rude or hate-filled comments. Getting in the last word does not mean we won the argument or earned the person’s respect. James 1:19–20 admonishes us to “be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” Kindness and respect never go out of style and are appropriate regardless of the subject matter. 3. Be sensitive to culture. Trained missionaries know that, before they can reach a cultural group, they must understand the particulars of that culture. The same is true for every believer, even if we never leave our own city. Western culture is rapidly changing, and in many places Judeo-Christian principles are no longer accepted or even understood. We don’t have to approve of every part of a culture to understand it or reach those immersed in it. By first listening to discern where people are spiritually and then finding commonality with them, we may be able to reach those hungry for a truth they’ve never heard. 4. Deal with prejudice. Prejudice of every kind has been part of human history since the beginning. Despite how hard we try, we all carry some form of prejudice against certain other people groups. Ironically, even those who denounce prejudice of any sort are usually quite prejudiced against those they consider prejudiced! Admitting to God our own pride and repenting of judgmental attitudes and lack of love should be an ongoing process for Christians wanting to follow Paul’s example of being all things to all people. As a former Pharisee, he had to deal with his own prejudice against Gentiles in order to spread the gospel to the people Jesus had called him to. The goal of a Christian is to be inoffensive in every way except in the matter of the cross. The message of the cross of Christ naturally gives offense, but we cannot water it down. “The preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18). Jesus warned us not to be shocked when the world hates us—it hated Him first (John 15:18). Our message is offensive to human pride and contradicts the sin nature, so our behavior and our attitudes should not give offense. When we strive to follow Paul’s example and become all things to all people, we must be willing to humble ourselves, let go of our “rights,” meet people where they are, and do whatever Jesus calls us to do. He died to save them. We must love them enough to tell them that in ways they can understand. GotQuestions.org Related Resources - from Questions to John MacArthur 1 Corinthians 9 Be All Things to All Men 1 Corinthians 9 The Apostle Paul Disqualified? 1 Corinthians 9 Becoming All Things to All People ILLUSTRATION OF ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE - When Gib Martin, who later became a pastor, was 27-years old, he was a school teacher. After spending his day with 27 kids, he would unwind by stopping at a bar to have a beer and bemoan life. He had come from a religious background, but for three years he had been an atheist. He was going through a period of desperation and he didn’t feel like being around anyone. Every day at the bar he would see an older man named Charlie, a carpenter who for many years had been an alcoholic, but then, many years before, had been led to Christ by Martin’s great-grandmother. Charlie was so burdened for souls that after work each day, he would stop at this bar, drink coffee, and share his life with those who would listen. Charlie could tell that Gib was miserable, so he tried to befriend him, but was met with resistance. He wasn’t able to share Christ because of Gib’s attitude, but he invited him to go hear a man with a doctor’s degree who was speaking in the community. Gib told Charlie he would go if they could later discuss what the man had to say. Gib went and heard the gospel for the first time. He was so convicted of his sin that he vomited all night long and thought he was dying. The next day at noon, he dropped to his knees and gave his life to Christ. He later found out that Charlie and others that Charlie had led to Christ had spent all night praying for him. But the sad part of the story is that none of the local churches would allow Charlie to associate with them because he went to the bar every day. Even though he wasn’t getting drunk—he wasn’t even having a beer—they didn’t like what he was doing. Even the church where Charlie directed Gib to go after his conversion wouldn’t allow Charlie to join (from A Theology of Personal Ministry, by Lawrence Richards and Gib Martin [Zondervanj pp 44-45). What do you think? Was Charlie wrong to go into a bar to get acquainted with those who frequented that place and look for opportunities to share the gospel? Or, was Charlie following the example of the apostle Paul, who became all things to all men so that by all means he might save some (1 Cor. 9:22)? I’ll tip my hand: Give me ten men like Charlie to reach out to Flagstaff’s bar crowd! There is no doubt that some have greatly misapplied our text. For example, during the hippie days, women from the Children of God cult were encouraged to “be all things to all men” by offering themselves sexually to entice men to join the group! A more current and subtle example is the so-called “Insider Movement” among missions to the Muslims. In attempting to contextualize the gospel for Islamic cultures, some have gone so far as to say that Muslim converts to Christianity can still go to the mosque, repeat the Islamic creed, observe the fasts, view the Koran as a revelation from God, and esteem Mohammed as God’s prophet! Many rightly fear that these missionaries are creating a new syncretistic religion that we might call, “Christlam.” If we want truly to win others to Christ, we need to think carefully about Paul’s words in these verses. As Gordon Fee points out (The First Epistle to the Corinthians [Eerdmans], p. 432), this text has nothing to do with adapting the message of the gospel to the language and perspective of the recipients. Neither, he says, does it have anything to do with observing social taboos among Christians. Rather, it has to do with how one lives or behaves among those he wishes to evangelize. The message of the cross is often offensive to proud sinners, but we should not be personally offensive in neutral matters of custom or culture. Paul is saying, Winning others to Christ requires presenting the gospel to lost people without needlessly offending them. (Steven Cole Winning Others to Christ) The Lingo I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. —1 Corinthians 9:22 Today's Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 What do teenagers mean when they say they’re “chillaxin”? (They’re chilling and relaxing.) What if they ask for some “cheddar”? (That’s cash.) If a teen likes someone’s new clothes, he might just say, “money,” meaning cool. Teenagers have their own lingo that some of us might not understand, and it seems to be always changing. Believers in Jesus have their own lingo as well. We use common jargon that nonbelievers may not comprehend. For instance, we use the words grace, saved, and repentance. These are all good words, but as we’re sharing our faith, it might be more helpful to say, “God’s gift of unearned forgiveness” instead of grace. Or “rescued from death and given eternal life” for saved. We could say, “to turn away from wrongs” for repentance. The apostle Paul was willing to be flexible in his ministry in order to reach as many as possible with the gospel of Christ (1 Cor. 9:19-23). That might have even included the words he used as he explained the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection. You have called us, Lord, to witness— To tell others of Your Son; Spirit, give us words so simple That they’ll reach some seeking one. —D. De Haan If we have God’s Word in our mind, He can put the right words in our mouth. 1 Corinthians 9:23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. Amplified - And I do this for the sake of the good news (the Gospel), in order that I may become a participator in it and share in its [blessings along with you]. NET 1 Corinthians 9:23 I do all these things because of the gospel, so that I can be a participant in it. NLT 1 Corinthians 9:23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. ESV 1 Corinthians 9:23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. NIV 1 Corinthians 9:23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. GNT 1 Corinthians 9:23 πάντα δὲ ποιῶ διὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιον, ἵνα συγκοινωνὸς αὐτοῦ γένωμαι. KJV 1 Corinthians 9:23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. YLT 1 Corinthians 9:23 And this I do because of the good news, that a fellow-partaker of it I may become; ASV 1 Corinthians 9:23 And I do all things for the gospel's sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof. CSB 1 Corinthians 9:23 Now I do all this because of the gospel, so I may become a partner in its benefits. MIT 1 Corinthians 9:23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel that I might become teamed up with it in every respect. NKJ 1 Corinthians 9:23 Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. NRS 1 Corinthians 9:23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings. NAB 1 Corinthians 9:23 All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it. NJB 1 Corinthians 9:23 All this I do for the sake of the gospel, that I may share its benefits with others. GWN 1 Corinthians 9:23 I do all this for the sake of the Good News in order to share what it offers. BBE 1 Corinthians 9:23 And I do all things for the cause of the good news, so that I may have a part in it. for: 1Co 9:12 Mk 8:35 2Co 2:4 Ga 2:5 2Ti 2:10 that: 1Co 9:25-27 2Ti 2:6 Heb 3:1,14 1Pe 5:1 1Jn 1:3 1 Corinthians 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A FELLOW PARTAKER OF THE GOSPEL I (poieo in present tense - continually) do all things for the sake of the Gospel (euaggelion), so that (term of purpose) I may become a fellow partaker of it - In the previous passage Paul became all things and here does all things, referring to all things within reason and not referring to anything that is sinful. NLT - "I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy its blessings." When someone is saved by the Gospel, we rejoice. When Paul saw someone saved by the Gospel, he became a fellow partaker with the Gospel's impact in that person's life. Paul’s one great desire was to win the lost, and that governed his every decision! Paul was willing to offend people over the gospel, but he wanted to offend them only over the gospel. -- David Guzik
1 Coríntios 9
Wiersbe - In order to give up his rights and have the joy of winning lost souls, Paul had to discipline himself. That is the emphasis of this entire chapter: Authority (rights) must be balanced by discipline. If we want to serve the Lord and win His reward and approval, we must pay the price....Each believer is on the track; each has a special lane in which to run; and each has a goal to achieve. If we reach the goal the way God has planned, then we receive a reward. If we fail, we lose the reward, but we do not lose our citizenship.” Related Resources: What are the five heavenly crowns that believers can receive in Heaven? How can we store up treasures in heaven? What do I need to do to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant" when I arrive in heaven? What did Paul mean when he said he had fought the good fight? What did Paul mean when he said he had finished the race? What did Paul mean when he said he had kept the faith? In what ways is the Christian life like the Olympics? Video of the Ancient Greek Games Historical Background on the Games Puritan Writings - To Persevere Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 1 Corinthians 9:24 The believer is to persevere in his Christian course to the end of his life: his work and his life must go off the stage together. This adds weight to every other difficulty of the Christian’s calling. We have known many who have gone into the field, and liked the work of a soldier for a battle or two, but soon have had enough, and come running home again, but few can bear it as a constant trade. Many are soon engaged in holy duties, easily persuaded to take up a profession of religion, and as easily persuaded to lay it down, like the new moon, which shines a little in the first part of the night, but is down before half the night is gone—lightsome professors in their youth, whose old age is wrapped up in thick darkness of sin and wickedness. O, this persevering is a hard word! this taking up the cross daily, this praying always, this watching night and day, and never laying aside our clothes and armor, I mean indulging ourselves, to remit and unbend in our holy waiting on God, and walking with God. This sends many sorrowful away from Christ, yet this is a saint’s duty, to make religion his every-day work, without any vacation from one end of the year to the other. These few instances are enough to show what need the Christian has of resolution. To Persevere Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 1 Corinthians 9:24 The believer is to persevere in his Christian course to the end of his life: his work and his life must go off the stage together. This adds weight to every other difficulty of the Christian’s calling. We have known many who have gone into the field, and liked the work of a soldier for a battle or two, but soon have had enough, and come running home again, but few can bear it as a constant trade. Many are soon engaged in holy duties, easily persuaded to take up a profession of religion, and as easily persuaded to lay it down, like the new moon, which shines a little in the first part of the night, but is down before half the night is gone—lightsome professors in their youth, whose old age is wrapped up in thick darkness of sin and wickedness. O, this persevering is a hard word! this taking up the cross daily, this praying always, this watching night and day, and never laying aside our clothes and armor, I mean indulging ourselves, to remit and unbend in our holy waiting on God, and walking with God. This sends many sorrowful away from Christ, yet this is a saint’s duty, to make religion his every-day work, without any vacation from one end of the year to the other. These few instances are enough to show what need the Christian has of resolution. (Living Water - James Scudder) Brian Bell - Columnist Herb Caen wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle: "Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle; when the sun comes up, you'd better be running." 1. Like this gazelle :) 2. As we look forward to the Olympics every 4 years. So during the time of Paul. 1. Back then it was the Isthmian Games, held every 2 years, 10 miles outside of Corinth. 2. Let’s listen to our trainer Paul, & follow his advice so we will one-day, Stand as Victors! 3. Reading these verses you can almost “smell the locker room”! 3. (1 Cor 9:24) Run in a race – (racecourse) σταδιω, stadium. 1. A running track which was a parallelogram about 200 yds. long & 30 yds. wide. 2. How sad, knowing that God has set mankind in such a race where heaven or hell is our certain end, that we should sit down and loiter, or run after the childish toys of the world, forgetting the prize we should run for. (Adapted from Richard Baxter) ILLUSTRATION - Winning The Race- On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the first man in history to run a mile in less than 4 minutes. Within 2 months, John Landy eclipsed the record by 1.4 seconds. On August 7, 1954, the two met together for a historic race. As they moved into the last lap, Landy held the lead. It looked as if he would win, but as he neared the finish he was haunted by the question, "Where is Bannister?" As he turned to look, Bannister took the lead. Landy later told a Time magazine reporter, "If I hadn't looked back, I would have won!" One of the most descriptive pictures of the Christian life in the Bible is of an athlete competing in a race. First Corinthians 9:24-27+ tells us that discipline is the key to winning. In Hebrews 12:1-2+, we are encouraged to lay aside anything that might hinder our spiritual advancement and to stay focused on Christ. And in Philippians 3:12, 13+, the apostle Paul said, "I press on, … forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead." Run the straight race through God's good grace, Lift up thine eyes and seek His face; Life with its way before us lies, Christ is the path and Christ the prize. --Monsell You can't make spiritual progress by looking back. Lowell
1 Coríntios 9
Wiersbe - RUN FOR YOUR (SPIRITUAL) LIFE An athlete must be disciplined if he is to win the prize. Discipline means giving up the good and the better for the best. The athlete must watch his diet as well as his hours. He must smile and say "No, thank you" when people offer him fattening desserts or invite him to late-night parties. There is nothing wrong with food or fun, but if they interfere with your highest goals, then they are hindrances and not helps. The Christian does not run the race in order to get to heaven. He is in the race because he has been saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Only Greek citizens were allowed to participate in the games, and they had to obey the rules both in their training and in their performing. Any contestant found breaking the training rules was automatically disqualified. The famous Indian athlete, Jim Thorpe, had to return his Olympic gold medals because the committee discovered he had previously played on a professional team. In order to give up his rights and have the joy of winning lost souls, Paul had to discipline himself. That is the emphasis of 1 Corinthians 9: Authority (rights) must be balanced by discipline. If we want to serve the Lord and win His reward and approval, we must pay the price. Sparkling Gems from the Greek - 1 Cor 9:24 - Rick Renner The word "run" is the Greek word trecho, which means to run and indicates a constant and continuous pace. This word trecho often depicted runners who ran a foot race in a huge stadium before adoring crowds of fans. In order for the runner to run successfully and finish triumphantly, every ounce of his strength and his complete attention were required. Paul had this example in mind as he wrote this verse. Just as it takes full concentration and a stride that is paced for a runner to run a long distance, Paul now uses the word trecho to tell us that if we are going to run our race as God expects, it will require 100 percent of our attention and will mandate that we learn how to run at a constant and continuous pace. In other words, we can't try today, stop tomorrow, and then give it another shot a week later. We must be constant and consistent. Once we are in the race, we must run ferociously. On the other hand, to stay in the race on a long-term basis, we must learn to pace ourselves so we can stay consistent and avoid wearing ourselves out! Paul tells us that we are to run until we "obtain." The word "obtain" is the Greek word katalambano, which is a compound of the words kata and lambano. The word kata describes something that is coming downward, and the word lambano means to take or to seize something. When compounded together into one word, it becomes katalambano—a very powerful word indeed! For example, the word katalambano can picture someone who has found something he has searched for his entire life. Rather than lose it or pass up the opportunity to possess it, he pounces on it with all his might, latching hold of it and seizing it with joy! Or once again, this word can portray a runner who runs fiercely, using every last ounce of his energy as he strains forward toward the finish line. At last he reaches the goal and crosses the finish line. The prize is now his! He won the reward because he put his whole heart, soul, and body into obtaining it! In light of the words trecho and katalambano found in this verse, First Corinthians 9:24 carries this idea: "Don't you know that those who compete in a foot race run with all their might and strength against the other runners, but only one wins the competition and takes the prize? In light of this, run with all the might you can muster! Go the distance, and pace yourself to make sure you have enough energy to get to the finish line, where you will finally latch hold of and possess that which you have been so passionately pursuing!" At the end of Paul's own life, he wrote, "I have finished my course" (2 Timothy 4:7). He triumphantly exclaimed that he had done it! His race was finished! He had given his spiritual race all he had to give; he had run with all the might he could muster; and he had run so consistently over the years that he had finished a winner! All those years of being concentrated and focused finally paid off. If Paul had approached his race with an attitude of lazy complacency, the prize would have gone to another. But because he had "run to obtain," he obtained! Paul looked at his divine destiny that lay before him like a runner looks at the finish line. Rather than approach his spiritual race lazily and halfheartedly, Paul did everything within his power to preach the Gospel. If it meant getting a job on the side in order to be able to preach, that's what Paul did (Acts 18:3). If it meant becoming as a Jew in order to able to preach to the Jews, that's what Paul did (1 Corinthians 9:20). And if it meant becoming as those without law to win those who were without law, that's what Paul did (1 Corinthians 9:21). He became all things to all men in order that he might win some to the Lord (1 Corinthians 9:22). Paul suffered hardship, persecution, lack, cold, hunger, nakedness, homelessness, trouble from false brethren, trouble from true brethren—in the city, in the wilderness, and even at sea. He was beaten, afflicted by persecution, and troubled by religious people. Yet Paul never lost sight of the fact that he was called of God and that he would one day account for what he did with that calling. The finish line was always before him! He kept one thing foremost in his mind and preeminent in his thinking: I must obtain the prize. I must fulfill the purpose for which I was born. I must achieve the plan of God for my life. Likewise, if you want to achieve God's will for your life, there isn't room for any other attitude than one of boldness and determination to keep running toward the goal with your eyes fixed on the finish line! This alone will take you through every obstacle and attack of the enemy and ultimately bring you to the place God desires for your life. Like Paul, you must have resolve, strength of will, determination, backbone, high morale, courage, devotedness, persistence, tenacity, and an unrelenting mindset. You must put your foot down and take your stand as a no-nonsense kind of person who puts your whole heart into your calling. Sitting around hoping for something to happen isn't going to produce anything! You have to jump in the race, fix your eyes on the goal, and run with all your might to the finish line so you can take the prize! It's time for you to "take the bull by the horns" and then hold on for dear life all the way to the goal! Make the decision that you are going to run the race, go the distance, and finish first place! Only you can make this choice, so why not get started today? Run! Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. —1 Corinthians 9:24 Today's Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 In the award-winning film Chariots of Fire, one of the characters is legendary British sprinter Harold Abrahams. He is obsessed with winning, but in a preliminary 100-meter dash leading up to the 1924 Olympics, he is soundly beaten by his rival, Eric Liddell. Abrahams’ response is deep despair. When his girlfriend, Sybil, tries to encourage him, Harold angrily declares, “I run to win. If I can’t win, I won’t run!” Sybil responds wisely, “If you don’t run, you can’t win.” Life is full of reversals, and we as Christians are not excluded from disappointments that make us want to give up. But in the race that is the Christian life, Paul challenges us to keep running. He told the Corinthians, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it” (1 Cor. 9:24). We are to run faithfully, Paul is saying, spurred on by the knowledge that we run to honor our King and to receive from Him an eternal crown. If we falter in our running—if we quit serving God or give in to sin because of our difficulties—we risk losing a rich reward we could have received had we run our best. While running with patience the race for the King, With obstacles taking their toll, We slow down to look up for help from our Lord; He keeps us aware of our goal. —Branon Greater than winning any medal will be hearing the Master say, “Well done!” MULTIPLE DEVOTIONALS RELATED TO 1 Corinthians 9:24 Running Well 1 Corinthians 9:24. Aiming for the Prize 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Your Biography 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 The Finish Line 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Grooves of Grace 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Too Soon to Quit 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Run to Win 3 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Foolish Baggage 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Run to Win 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Winning the Race 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Brother Donkey 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Racing Toward the Goal 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Run to Win 2 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Running Every Day 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Lasting Rewards 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Going For The Prize 1 Corinthians 9:26 Purpose in Routine 1 Corinthians 9:27 Training for Life 1 Corinthians 9:27 Make Your Body Listen 1 Corinthians 9:26 Plan to Win 1 Corinthians 9:27 Make Your Body Listen 1 Corinthians 9:27 Where is Your Trust? 1 Corinthians 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Amplified - Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither.