Paul Running and Fighting 1 Corinthians 9:26

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things”, and he shared how “they do it to obtain a corruptible crown”. Paul added that he and those who follow Jesus Christ do these things for “an incorruptible” crown, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-six of First Corinthians, Paul told the Corinthians, “I...so run” and “so fight I” where we read:

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air:

The verse begins, “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly;” Paul began with the words, “I therefore so run” which means “Paul then and according in this manner makes haste, exerts himself and strives hard”, “not as uncertainly” or “not with no goal or aim in mind”. Because there was an “incorruptible crown” available to those who “run”, Paul did not do so with no “goal or aim” in mind.

The verse continues, “so fight I, not as one that beats the air:” Paul added the words, “so fight I” or “in this manner also Paul was as a boxer or contender at the games”, “not as one” which means “not like a person or contender” “that beats” which means “who thrashes, punches or smites” “the air” which means “the atmospheric region wherein they struck out into the air as if at an imaginary adversary”. Paul did not “fight” like he was “shadow boxing” or “beating the air” without purpose when he shared the gospel.

When we think through these words from Paul, we see his determination, purpose and resolve to “contend” as if in the Olympic games for the “gospel of Jesus Christ”. These two categories employed by Paul, running and either boxing or wrestling, are meant to demonstrate the manner and discipline in which those who share Jesus with others are to “contend”. Because there is an “incorruptible crown” that shall never perish or fade away awaiting those who share the “good news” of Jesus, let us emulate Paul and be disciplined to “run” with a goal in mind and “fight” as the Lord gives opportunity with all the power and ability with which He and the Holy Spirit enables.

Next time Paul told the church members how he , “keeps under” his“body, and brings it into subjection”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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