An Exercise In Self-Discipline (1 Cor. 9:24-27)

 

The Puritans of the 17th century were renowned for their self-discipline. It was said of Samuel Rutherford: ‘He is always praying, always preaching, always visiting the sick, always catechising, always writing and studying.’ The early Methodists were methodical.

  1. We need to exercise self-discipline.
    • 9:24-25a. The ancient world held Olympic games every four years at Athens, but every second year the Isthmian games were held near Corinth. Dio Chrysostom mentions six events – racing, wrestling, jumping, boxing, hurling the javelin, and throwing the discus. In fact, Paul would have been in Corinth for the games of A.D. 51.
    • Gal.5:22-23a; see Col.1:29; Matt.5:29-30; 1 Cor.9:27a. An athlete does not just get up and run.
  2. We need to stay focused on the goal.
    • 9:25b. At the Isthmian games, the winner received a garland of pine leaves, parsley or celery. Compare that to the Christian crown – 2 Tim.4:8 (righteousness); James 1:12 (life); 1 Pet.5:4 (glory).
    • 9:26; see Luke 16:22-24; Rev.21:3-5. That is what keeps Paul going.
  3. We need to be warned about failure.
    • 9:27. 1 Cor.3:13-15 or 2 Cor.13:5-6? Thomas Schreiner says that ‘perseverance is the mark of a true believer.’
    • Luke 14:33. John Cassian compared the soul of the Christian to a ‘spiritual hedgehog’ who was incapable of reacting to the outside world. That is not quite right, but there is a battle going on – Rom.8:13.
    • Philippians 3:12-14.