And near the very end of Paul's life he became absolutely sure that he had definitely won a "crown!"  In 2 Timothy 4:8 he declares:  "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

In each of these cases the noun used for crown (or the verb where applicable) is built from the Greek word "stephanos."  (From "stepho" = to twine or wreathe, to wrap around)  It is the term that was used by the Greeks to describe the award given for winning a specific athletic contest at the bi-annual Corinthian games.

Accompanying the crown was a lavish dinner to which the victorious contestant and his family were invited.  The Judges would be present and the food would be both abundant and lavish.  This state dinner of course would be in honor of the gods.

Dear faithful Christian, you too are going to be rewarded for your faithfulness! You're going to a dinner (a marriage supper)!  Your great Judge (and Saviour) will be present as well!  And ... yes ... this dinner will not be for you as much as it's for the (not the gods, but The ...) Lord God Almighty!  In is in His honor that we will attend the eternal celebration!

By the way, and quite "un-like" the Olympic games of ancient days ... the race Paul probably has in mind is more of a "marathon" than a short "sprint!"  I read yesterday of a tribe in South America that had "races" in which the fleet footed athletes ran a whole week!  (Even the the encyclopedias say they ran for a week!)  Numerous other races have had 100 mile courses and even further!

These are much like the Christian life, aren't they?  We're not in it for the short haul ... but for the "long run!"

Faithfully run (and box or fight ... or wrestle) until Jesus comes or He calls you "home!"

I salute you dear "marathon" runners.

May God bless you abundantly is my prayer!

                                                                        --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

"Castaway" here needed an accompanying verb: "should be."  It is "ginomai," to become.  It is used here as a 1st person singular subjunctive aorist in the middle voice!  These properties tell us that Paul is grammatically speaking only of himself. (We of course should apply the principle to our lives as well.)  The "subjunctive" mood tells us this has not yet happened to Paul!  It is a hypothetical situation ... one that he is determined NOT to let occur in his life!  The "aorist" sense of time indicates that the Apostle is viewing his whole life and ministry for the Lord as one single event ... looked back upon as having now occurred!  And the "middle" voice shows us that if such a thing happened ... it would impact Paul greatly, changing him dramatically!  (In other words, he would "never get over it!")

What fierce determination Paul brings to his Christian living!

The word "adokimos" ("castaway" in our verse) is used 8 times in our New Testament.  Six of those times it is translated (in the King James Bible) as "reprobate" and once it is rendered as "rejected"  (Hebrews 6:8). 

Here's an example:  "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"  2 Corinthians 13:5

Or 2 Corinthians 13:6 where Paul says:  "But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates."

It seems that in the ancient games (to which Paul is referring in our verse), athletes could be "suspended" for numerous reasons.  Among them (at least according to my research) one may include any disregard for the rules of the specific contest, any disobedience concerning one's diet, any sexual escapades, or even any curfew violations (not being where one should be when he should be there)!  Plus many more! Wow!  Now ... put those in a "spiritual" setting and see what you get!

Dear Christian friend, today let us also run our race for the Lord (and fight our fight) in such a way that we shall not be "disapproved!"  Not become "castaways!"  Not be "disqualified!"

After all, our Lord deserves our best!  That's exactly what He gave for us!

                                                                                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

It is interesting that in the Olympics themselves (as well as the Corinthian Games held much nearer these Believers to whom Paul is writing) the "heralds" played a vital role!

Let me explain.

Each years the "games" were held, the governor sent out a trio of "heralds" to announce them throughout all the land!

Remember now, the herald is a representative of the governor (king, president, Caesar or even Lord).  This position automatically carried with it "formality, gravity and authority."  The heralds were sent forth with the expectation of proper ACTION (obedience) following their announcements.  (All this should be equally true of the "preacher" too!)

In Greece, the heralds rode little mules, somewhat like the Saviour did on one occasion in His life on earth.  They wore royal purple robes in their work!  Christian heralds (preachers) wear pure robes of righteousness!  The heralds each had crowns of olive wreaths encircling his head!  And they always carried the banner of the gods (the sacred banner)!  So do preachers today except their is the "banner of the Cross!" Also the heralds carried satchels in which were the schedules for the games and other royal papers.  My satchel has in it the Word of God (often several copies)!

My sources say that these heralds were to be "treated like kings" and usually were! They could expect to be well-fed (by the people to whom they announced the good news) and properly housed.  God's people today are also to care for the men of God!  Some are said to be worthy of "double honour!"  (1 Timothy 5:17)

Now, get this.  I actually read it some time ago in a text on the Olympics! The heralds were to announce a truce, a peace, a cessation of all hostilities and battles and wars until the games were over!  The heralds were harbingers of peace to the people!  (What spiritual lessons are sheathed in these word pictures!)  We preachers get to proclaim the truths of God's great Peace Offer to mankind (via the Blood of our Saviour) also!

The heralds also were on hand throughout all the games to make starting announcements, publicize the names of the athletes at each event, re-state the game rules and declare the winners!  As they introduced each contestant they would carefully pronounce his name loudly, then give his father's name, his home city, and ask if anyone present had any charge to bring against him!

There were even contests held between heralds to see who had the clearest voice and could announce with the most forcefulness!  Plus the fact that everywhere I can find any research material on these men, they are associated with "trumpets!"  Each herald apparently had to be able to sound that instrument clearly and distinctly! (Today's preachers also are waiting for a trumpet to sound as well!)

Lastly I discovered that often a herald might "coach" a runner or boxer or wrestler as well!  (This would automatically require that the herald himself be fit and trim as well as knowledgeable concerning the pertinent event!  Preachers, take notice!) 

In today's verse Paul considers himself both a "herald" (an "announcer") and a contestant (who could be a "castaway" or disqualified)!  The Lord always reserves the right to ask for such double-duty (or more)!  And He is certainly worthy of it all!

This view of the Christian life is probably too "stringent,"  too tough for many in our "laid-back" easy-going society!  But it is exactly what the Lord expects of His true children!

Anyone out there in training this Monday morning?

I somehow hear a chorus of voices returning, "Yes Sir!"

                                                                              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

There's a pretty good reason to believe that IF Paul had to do this ... so will we!

The verb (in Greek) is "doulagogeo."  It is a combination of two other words. "Doulos" is the standard Greek noun for a slave, a common slave.  In fact, the "doulos" was the lowest in status of all the slaves in a household!  (It comes from a verb "deo" which means "to bind" ... as in bound and tied up ... loss of liberty and freedom!)  Added to "doulos" is the verb "ago" which means "to lead" or even "to drive" something!  Now, put it all together and Paul is telling us that he drives his body to obey as a slave master commands and leads his slave to rigidly follow his every command!  (Wow!)

A. T. Robertson's word studies book suggests that this is the verb that would have been used to describe the victor in battle bringing captive slaves home for dutiful service the rest of their lives!

It goes without saying that those slave drivers could be harsh on their subjects! They could beat them, brand them, restrict them, or whatever else necessary to achieve complete submission!

Also let me interject here that the verb is in present tense, active voice form.  Paul does this "slave driving" constantly!  And he puts great effort into it too!  It is not easily and automatically done for him by someone else!

Thus did Paul treat his body to compel it to follow our dear Lord!  This concept should give us a totally new meaning to the term "self-control!"  (Remember this the next time you tend to get a little "lazy" on the Lord!  Or want to over-eat or over-sleep!  Or you're just "too tired" to read you Bible or go back to church Sunday night!)

Paul got "rough" with himself when it came to this matter of faithfully running the race and fighting the fight for the Lord!

He had just said (earlier in this very verse) that he "kept under his body!"  That's a technical "boxing" term from his day (first century Greek life) that literally meant "to give oneself a black eye!"

Paul was diligent in living for Jesus!

Are we?

He told the young preacher Timothy: "Endure hardness!"  (2 Timothy 2:3)

He even said of himself once:  "From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." (Galatians 6:17)  That noun "marks" means scars!  How very disciplined this man of God really was!

What an example he is to us!

                                                                            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Paul "worried" about something!

Well, that might not be the best word to use about the great Apostle ... but he was extremely concerned!

He feared that after all he had done for the Lord, he might somehow end up being a failure in his Christian walk!

(Where does that put folks like you and me?)

He has been preaching on the Christian life. As he did so he used an illustration. He used something with which the Corinthians were very familiar, the athletic "games" now called the Olympics.

Paul pictured himself first as a runner than as a boxer! Both had to train hard, compete vigorously, and abide by some stringent rules! Any mistakes ... and the contestant was quickly disqualified! That’s exactly the meaning of Paul’s great fear here. The word "castaway" means disapproved one!

Let’s analyze the verse a little bit.

To "keep under" is an amazing verb! It translates a Greek word, "hupopiazo," meaning under ("hupo") and to gaze with the eye ("optanomai"). When put together ... the meaning is "to give a bruise under someone’s eye!" The verb is an indicative present active ... Paul does this constantly! He gives himself a "black eye" to discipline his body to run the race and fight the fight to the Glory of God! (Wow!)

The word for "body" is "soma" and just means one’s physical being. It seems that Paul thinks his flesh, his body can hinder him spiritually and needs to be controlled! Jesus said "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." See Matthew 26:41. The verb is only used in one other place in Scripture where it is rendered as "wearied." Luke 18:5 --- "Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me."  These words were spoken by an "unjust" judge.

This whole thing called the Olympic Games (or the Corinthian Games) was a bloody affair! Even to be a spectator took a good bit of effort! They usually walked to the Games. That could be a distance of up to 200 miles! They saturated their trip in religious activities --- sacrifices to their gods and prayers along the way. They had to take their cooking utensils and food along with them! Once they arrived ... only the men and unmarried girls could enter the grounds to see the contests. Married ladies were not allowed! (All the athletes were naked.) There were no seats in the galleries either ... they had to stand in order to see well! The lack of clean drinking water and the hot temperatures were deadly to some also! Few ways to bathe were available! No "motels" existed. One just slept under the trees!

These facts alone give me a new respect for "the great cloud of witnesses" who view the Games! Remember what Paul said in Hebrews 12:1 --- "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."

And literally ... athletes in training often ended the day with black eyes or whelps from the coach’s whip! They meant business!

And so did Paul!

Do you?

Do I?

Paul didn’t even hesitate to list his "training" exercises from time to time! Listen again to Second Corinthians 11:23-28. "Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches."

He transferred these disciplines to the young preacher Timothy too! In 2 Timothy 2:5 he said: "And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." That verb "strive" is our word "athlete!" In Greek it is "athleo."

Let’s do our BEST for Jesus!

Getting saved by God’s Grace is a blessing! Salvation is a GIFT of God!

Living the Christian life, however, is a job! The Holy Spirit aids us! In fact He lives through us! BUT discipline is still required!

                                                                        --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

This Olympic boxing was a serious matter to these Greeks (which would have included the Corinthians)!  They wore little in the area of boxing "gloves," certainly nothing like today's "safety-oriented" equipment!  It was common for men to die in the boxing ring!

Here's a quote I found about a "boxer" a little while before Paul's time.  "He prayed to Zeus, 'Give me victory or give me death!'  And here in Olympia he died, boxing in the Stadium, at the age of 35.  Farewell!"

In the boxing event (as well as the wrestling) the athletes were exempt from homicide charges ... and every year there would be cremations after the bouts!  In Greek competition ... they did not aim for the abdomen or other extremities.  They targeted the head specifically!  One source says they "pummeled one another's heads for hours ... with their knuckles wrapped in nothing but leather thongs."  The gloves were nicknamed "ants" because they could "sting" their opponents so violently!  (As well as "cut" into his face and cheeks!)

The day (day four of the games) began with 16 boxers ... but would end with just one still standing!  (There were no weight divisions, either!)  Their bodies were oiled (olive oil).  They constantly prayed to Zeus, their chief god. 

There were no rounds either.  The boxers continued until one could no longer stand ... or until one "gave up" with a certain hand signal!  Even when a boxer fell to the ground ... there were no rules keeping the aggressor from beating his head to a pulp as he laid there!  (Neither was there a specific "ring" in which they had to stay!) Greek poets at times described boxers "falling like slain oxen!" 

The Greeks loved violence in their games!  The boxing matches often rewarded twice the prizes as did the other contests! 

And understand this:  the athletes who chose death over defeat were more greatly respected by the crowds that the "cowards" who surrendered!

And the winner was called "Paradoxos," which translates as "Marvelous!"  Or they were referred to as "Periodonikes," meaning "Circuit Champion."

Paul so fights the devil!  Paul so fights the world!  And Paul so fights his own fleshly tendencies! 

What determination!

His term "not as one that beateth the air" is a metaphor for what we would call "shadow boxing."  Paul says "I'm not playing around!"  The verb "beateth" means to flay, to scourge, to thrash or to smite!

Paul thinks:  "If I'm going to expend the energy ... I'm going to HIT something!"

The Apostle puts most of us to shame, doesn't he?

We ALL need to be more serious about living the Christian life! 

There was just no stronger illustration Paul could have used to show these Corinthian Believers how fiercely diligent they needed to be in serving (The Real) God! 

I believe I'll never look at 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 the same again!

                                                                          --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Consequently, says Paul, "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly ...."  1st Corinthians 9:26

But what does he mean by that term ... "not as uncertainly?"

The adverb "uncertainly" translates the Greek word "adelos."

It literally means not ("a" in Greek) plus clear, certain or manifest ("delos" in Greek).

The idea here is that Paul wants to run openly and obviously by all the rules!  He will leave nothing to doubt or obscurity!  He will keep his goal in clear view at all times! Exactly as he said above in Hebrews 12:1-2!

The word "adelos" is only used this one place in all Scripture ... so we do not have any other verses by which to compare it.  When this happens it's called a "hapax legomenon."

One Greek lexicon says "adelos" speaks here of running a race without a fixed goal! Paul refuses to do that!  If he 's going to train ... and run ... and risk life and limb ... he's going to have a GOAL in view!  (And that goal is Jesus!)

Paul will not run aimlessly!  He plans to run straight to the goal.  He has resolve in every lap ... every second of the race One Goal (One Person) is in mind!  He runs ... "not without aim." 

Now this Thursday let's lift this interpretation (and application) from 40 AD in first century Corinth (Paul) to 2004 in the United States of America (you and me). 

In our Christian "race" what's the goal?

It looks to me like our answer should be the same as Paul's --- Jesus!

And little wonder Paul would have Jesus in mind and in view and as an ultimate Goal.

He elsewhere said:  "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."  Philippians 1:21   Or "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."  Colossians 3:4

Had David expressed his Christian life in athletic terms ... he would have said about the same thing.  Listen to him in Psalm 27:4 --- "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple."  That's just running with Jesus in view!

The ancient Greeks did have some specific goals in  mind as they ran the races or fought the fights or wrestled the opponents.  One of their goals was to please the gods!  Another was to wind the pine branch crown!  Another was to gain fame! Another was get rich!

Obviously the Christian's goals are loftier and more noble and godly!

Let me close by saying this.  Believer friend, keep your eyes on Jesus!  That (alone) will keep your feet on the racetrack ... diligently running the race for Christ's Glory!

One more time let Paul speak:  "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."  Colossians 3:1

You see ... Jesus has already run His Race ... and won valiantly!

Praise the Lord!

                                                                               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

The Greeks did have a day at their games given to a contest called the "Pentathlon." It brought together several sports (five to be exact) into one event! 

By the way this even was held in the Olympic stadium!  (The very word Paul uses for "race" back in verse 24 is "stadion!")  The ancient accounts tell us there would have been standing room only (a "great cloud of witnesses")!

The athletes would meet in a "preparation" room prior to the start of competition and get ready by doing such things as rubbing "oil"  all over their bodies!  We Christian had better be "oiled" with the Holy Spirit of God before we try running any races for our Lord too!  ("Oil" in Scripture is a "picture" of the Spirit of God!)

Each contestant's coach or trainer would accompany him throughout this whole process!  Christian, so does yours!  In fact, we have two divine "Coaches!"  1 John 2:1 teaches us:  "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 

Our second Coach/Trainer is the Holy Spirit.  The words for "Advocate" and "Comforter" are identical in Greek.  They translate "paraklete" which means (para + kaleo) one called alongside to help, train and encourage!

And Jesus Himself (our first Advocate) says in John 14:26 --- "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."   And again He declares in John 15:26 --- "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me."

Music was played during some of these competitions!  Remember that all these "contests" in which the Greeks participated were first of all dedicated to their gods! You just can't separate music and worship it seems.  This truth simply underlines the importance of the type music we hear as we run the race and fight the fight in our daily lives too!  Enjoy godly Spirit-filled music.  Something that will aid worship ... not feed the flesh!

Paul's verbs in this verse are enlightening too.  "Run" is in Greek "trecho" and means just what it says. (To run!  Other meanings are: to exert oneself, make an effort, speed on, make progress, rush into battle or even do well!)  The verb is framed here as a present indicative active 1st person singular!  Paul is running at that moment and plans to continue doing so.  This is a habitual on-going race!

And the verb "fight" is "pukteuo" and literally means to be a boxer!  It is derived from "pux," the fist (as a weapon)!  Many a young man died from injuries sustained in those boxing bouts!  (The "gloves" were not safety oriented to say the least!  Head trauma was common!  The boxers would "go" for the head!  Just as the devil does with us!)  This verb also is a present indicative active.  The whole Christian life is being pictured as a constant fight!

In closing I need to tell you this.  It took a superb athlete to enter even one contest. Running was hard enough.  BUT to enter several (two here in Paul's 26th verse) was a phenomenal accomplishment!  What hard work, discipline and training it would have required!

This combined event was so grueling that many dropped out before it was over! Many others were disqualified because of rule violations!  And ... finally someone won the crown!

Additionally, that crown, so hard to win and so valuable to wear ... would have been dedicated to the athlete's favorite god immediately upon the close of the day's events, leaving it in his or her temple.

Think of this: "The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."  Revelation 4:10

Dear friend, run your race and fight your fight with the ultimate view of worshiping your God (the only Living God) in a crown-casting ceremony some golden daybreak!

Your fellow runner ...

                                                                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell