I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:27
Paul is saying having done all that training, I don’t want to lose out on the goal: in this case the goal of eternal life. There are two interesting words in this statement which bear looking into.
kηρύσσω [kērussō]
- 1) to be a herald, to officiate as a herald
- 2) to preach, proclaim openly
In the sense of “herald” Paul may be extending the image from the races. The heralds summoned the candidates for the foot race into the race course and placed the crowns on the brows of the conquerors, announcing their names. But there are those who feel Paul has moved on from the race now and is talking merely about his preaching of the gospel and staying true to his calling. I favour the latter. He had proclaimed the gospel far and wide. He had preached to many thousands, and had been the means of the conversion of thousands. The contest, the agony, the struggle in which he had been engaged, was that of preaching the gospel in the most effective way. And yet he felt that there was a possibility that even after all this he might be lost.
How could that be? Is our hold on eternal life so tenuous? Is God so fickle as to cast us aside after we have struggled for the sake of the gospel as Paul had?
Let’s examine the other word in focus here:
ἀδόκιμος [adokimos]
- 1) not standing the test, not approved (normally used of metals and coins]
- 2) that which does not prove itself such as it ought
- 3) unfit for, unproved, reprobate, fit for casting away, rejected, disapproved.
Paul seems to be concerned that he not do anything that might bring a reproach on the Gospel. That some corruption of his nature should break out, and therefore his ministry be held in disrepute and be brought under contempt; and so he be rejected and disapproved of by men. But more especially by God, the judge of the entire “life” race. Dokimos is the word used of an elect person, one chosen for salvation. The one persuaded of the love of God, a chosen vessel of salvation. The pious one, the one who has been tested and tried and found to be genuine.
Adokimos is the negative of the same word. To be found wanting, fall short, not measure up. Both words come from the field of metallurgy, the testing of metals to ensure there are no impurities within. That is the prime use of the word. Testing to ensure there are no impurity within. To be even thinking such things and concerned for our ultimate salvation is a positive sign we are on the right track. For someone like Paul to be thinking that he might miss out on the calling is to ensure he is tested and aware and not found unfit in the end. Oh yes we will be tested and assessed in the end, but part of a healthy process is a self assessment. “A little self examination, a little attitude correction”. Those last words come from a Christian song from years ago by Ray Stevens – “Have a little talk with myself”. They just popped into my mind as I am writing this so thought I would include them. Thus far I seem to have included the lyrics of a song with each book of the Bible we look at. So now is the time for the song for Corinthians it seems.
Have A Little Talk With Myself – By Ray Stevens
- Lately I have noticed all my friends avoiding me
- And that girl that loves me up and said goodbye
- My whole world is coming apart and falling in on me
- And I guess deep down I know the reason why.
- Lately I’ve been living for nobody else but me
- Letting my selfish ego take command
- Lately I’ve been giving in to pride and vanity
- And I guess I let it get the upper hand.
- And I think it’s just about time to have a little talk with myself
- Have a little talk with myself
- A little private conversation, a little self examination
- A little attitude correction, a little soul searching inspection
- Start heading in the right direction
- Take a little walk, have a little talk with myself.
- I’ve put importance on the wrong things in this life
- And my outlook had a twisted point of view
- But all you reap with vanity is heartache and strife
- Without love and friendship you can’t make it through.
- And I think it’s just about time to have a little talk with myself
- Have a little talk with myself
- A little private conversation, a little self examination
- A little attitude correction, a little soul searching inspection
- Start heading in the right direction.
- Analyse it, recognise it, itemise it, criticise it
- Realise, organise, summarise, ostracise it.
- Take a little walk, have a little talk with myself.
- Have a little talk with myself.
- Guess I’m gonna have to have a little talk with myself.
Is it time to have a little talk with yourself?
In repentance we must do 3 things in relation to sin: see it, own it & turn from it.
Darrin Patrick
What you did yesterday is of far less concern to God than where your heart is today.
Andy Stanley
The greatest of faults, I should say, is to be conscious of none.
Thomas Carlyle
Your character is not defined by your occasional slip-ups or moments of heroism but by what you are day in and day out.
David Gill