Train Yourself to be Free-1 Cor 9:24-27

1 Corinthians, New Testament, Sermons

Are you truly free (1 Cor 9:1, 19), OR is something or someone controlling you? Christian, do you undergo strict training (1 Cor 9:25)? Are you striving with all that you have to be free (1 Cor 9:26-27) and to win the prize (1 Cor 9:24)?

  • Do you exercise strict discipline, training, self–control, self–restrain and mastery over yourself in every way with a clear goal in mind (1 Cor 9:25a)?
  • Are you aware of the value of your prize (1 Cor 9:25b)?
  • Or have you lost sight of your eschatological goal and running aimlessly (1 Cor 9:26)? Are you even in the contest at all?
  • How do you discipline yourself for the sake of the gospel (1 Cor 9:27a, 19)?
  • Do you have a sense of being called to a higher life of service that includes self-control and the willingness to endure hardship?

Outline:

  1. I‘m not using my rights (9:1-14). I have rights, but I’m not using it. [Don’t use your rights.]
  2. In defense of his apostleship (9:1-2)
  3. Paul’s apostolic rights (9:3-14)
  4. I freely renounce my rights (9:15-23). [Freely renounce your rights.]
  5. Paul’s apostolic restraint (9:15-18)
  6. Paul’s apostolic freedom (9:19-23). I’m a truly free man. [Those who want to control others won’t like such a man.]
  7. I train myself to not use my rights. Self Discipline, self-control and training required to renounce rights [for the sake of the gospel, and for the sake of others] (9:24-27). Exhortation and example. [Train yourself to renounce your rights.]

Train to win the prize. Many love sports. Paul likely did to, as he used athletic metaphors from the games.

  • With running, all run but only one obtains the prize (1 Cor 9:24a).
  • Then he applies it to them, urging them to run to win (1 Cor 9:24b).
  • Then he generalizes about the competitors and their prize (1 Cor 9:25). The atheletes exercise self–control in all things (1 Cor 9:25a) for the goal of winning the prize–which is a perishable wreath, “a crown that will not last” (1 Cor 9:25b), while believers strive for an imperishable wreath (1 Cpr 9:25c).
  • Next, Paul applies the metaphors of running and boxing to himself (1 Cor 9:26-27). He doesn’t “compete” aimlessly but with the goal in mind–winning the prize. With the boxing metaphor, he emphasizes self–control [discipline], to not come short of the prize [being disqualified from the contest].

Run to win (1 Cor 9:24b)–the imperative/exhortation following the first question–is the primary point of the metaphors and it controls the entire paragraph. Paul is urging them to “run” the Christian life in such a way–in this case by exercising proper self-control (the emphasis in 9:25-27), as to obtain the eschatological reward. In context, they lack “self-control” by insisting on the right to continue eating idol food in the pagan temples. Though exhortation is Paul’s primary purpose, it’s also a clear warning if they fail to “run” properly (1 Cor 9:27). As warning it anticipates what comes next (10:1-22). Entry into the contest does not guarantee the prize. Christian life requires perseverance as well.   9:24-27 also serves as a conclusion. Paul’s curtails his rights (1 Cor 9:12, 15), yet exercising his freedom for the singular aim of “all things for the sake of the gospel” (1 Cor 9:23). Paul exercises self-control in all things, which is intended to serve as a paradigm for them, thus bringing him back to the point of departure (1 Cor 8:13).

Run as one intent on winning the prize (1 Cor 9:24c). Be like athletes in training to win the race is Paul’s explicit exhortation in ch. 9 (1 Cor 9:24c). The point, while referring to himself as an eg. to emulate. is that Christian life is not for self-gratification but a disciplined focus on things that really matter ultimately [not running aimlessly (1 Cor 9:26)]. This requires little explanation, for we know the sacrifices and discipline required of athletes. Paul’s use of this imagery is inspired by the Isthmian Games, the great athletic festival held at Corinth every 2 years. Paul’s depictions of the runner and the boxer are familiar, vivid, and compelling. The “perishable wreath” (1 Cor 9:25) is the victory wreath made of withered celery. Paul is saying, “If these athletes push themselves to the limit in training to win that pathetic crown of withered vegetables, how much more should you maintain self-discipline for the sake of an imperishable crown?”

Everyone…goes into strict training (1 Cor 9:25, NIV). All athletes are disciplined in their training (1 Cor 9:25, NLT). Every athlete/Everyone who competes exercises self–control in all things/everything (1 Cor 9:25, ESV, NASB, NASB, NET). Everyone … trains with strict discipline (1 Cor 9:25, Berean Study Bible). …everyone…controls himself in all ways (1 Cor 9:25, Berean Literal Bible). …everyone…is temperate in all things (1 Cor 9:25, NKJV). …exercises self–control in everything (1 Cor 9:25, CSB). …submits to strict discipline (1 Cor 9:25, GNT). …restrains his mind from everything (1 Cor 9:25, Aramaic Bible in Plain English).

This is not to think of spiritual discipline in an individualistic way–if we follow Paul’s argument. The self-control is Paul precisely calling the “strong” to the rigorous discipline of giving up their rights and privileges for the sake of others. They must exercise self-discipline by giving up their rights to certain foods—and perhaps some of their privileged social status. To Paul, this is a small thing in contrast to the prize set before us.

Throughout this letter, Paul resists their deprecation of the body, and here’s no exception. Paul speaks of “punishing” and “enslaving” his body in order to avoid being disqualified (1 Cor 9:27). But the body is not the enemy of the spiritual life; it’s the instrument of that life. The “punishment” of the body refers to grueling training for the contest, seeking to bring the body to peak efficiency. To “enslave” the body means, in this context, to devote it unreservedly to God’s service through service to others (1 Cor 9:19), NOT to practice self-denial for its own sake.REFLECTIONS. 1 Cor 9 is the middle of an extended argument, refering back to ch. 8 to make clear that Paul “becoming all things to all people” (1 Cor 9:22) and his call for disciplined self–control (9:24–27) are for building up the community in love (1 Cor 8:1). Ch. 9 is just one movement in a complex discussion (10:23–11:1). [The Revised Common Lectionary readings–8:1–13; 9:16–23; 9:24–27–4th, 5th, 6th Sun after the Epiphany in Year B. Regrettably, 10:1–13 is placed during Lent of Year C, and 10:14–11:1 is omitted from the lectionary.] Ch. 9 brings several issues more clearly into focus.

  1. Financial support of pastors. The church should provide for the financial needs of those who preach the gospel (9:4–14). Yet Paul’s own example is to renounce such support (1 Cor 9:12b, 15–18). Are salaried ministers domesticated by “patronage” that they’re no longer able to preach the gospel effectively? Are they, like some servile household philosophers of the ancient world, excessively dependent on those who provide for them? Paul’s model of tentmaking self–support poses an alternative worthy of consideration in some circumstances. Paul’s strategy was not required of apostles and preachers in the 1st century church, and is not mandatory now. But anyone who proclaims the gospel should stop and ask, “Who’s footing the bill for me? What implications does that have for the content and integrity of my ministry? Have I become the house chaplain for the wealthy “controlling” members of my church to the detriment of the less affluent?”
  2. Downward mobility. By emphasizing his identification with “the weak,” Paul declares to them a “preferential option for the poor.” Rather than act like a strong, free, well-educated citizen, Paul exemplifies self–lowering actions: restricting his diet (1 Cor 8:13) and doing menial labor (1 Cor 9:12, 15). This is part of what it means to be “under Christ’s law” (1 Cor 9:21): his life responds to and recapitulates the life–pattern of Christ who gave his life for the weak (1 Cor 8:11; Rom 5:6). Such downward mobility is for all who are in Christ. 1 Cor 9 speaks most powerfully and disturbingly to Christians in situations of ease, people of pedigree and in positions of power and privilege. What would it mean for you to embrace Paul’s determination to do everything for the sake of the gospel (1 Cor 9:23), to let that consideration shape all your decisions in the church and economic choices?
  3. Be free from “rights.” Perhaps most striking for American Christians is its indifference to the “rights” of the individual. Without ever denying that he could claim his rights, Paul is free to relinquish his rights for the sake of others (1 Cor 9:19). True Christian freedom is exercised in service–NOT in getting benefits and advantage. Those who insist on exercising their right to do whatever they want have become paradoxically captive to the agenda of their own exousia: they’re not free to act in the interest of others. 1 Cor 9 bluntly suggests that if you campaign to defend your own rights and privileges, you’ve lost sight of the gospel.
  4. What‘s your dedication to the gospel? Is it rigorous, or are you a flabby, armchair spectator? Do you train for victory? Duke University men’s basketball team won back-to-back national championships. The front of a popular T-shirt says, “You can talk the game, but can you play the game?” On the back, above the school logo, in large letters was the slogan, “We can play.” That’s the challenge Paul poses to us—and himself—(9:24–27): can you play the game? It’s not just talk the gospel. You’re called to pay the price of sacrifice and discipline in order to play the game rightly and win the prize. The high level of discipline and skill of athletes is a compelling metaphor of what’s required. The Olympic Games is fascinating for the dedication the athletes devote to the pursuit of the gold.

The athletic contests at the Isthmian Games were all individual competitions. When Paul says, “only one receives the prize” (1 Cor 9:24), he doesn’t mean that Christians should compete with one another—indeed, as he means exactly the opposite: they should strive for excellence by subordinating their individual freedom for the good of others. If Paul knew of team sports, he’d have a richer metaphor to make his point: team players couple rigorous training with restraint of individual egos for the sake of the team’s success. Challenge YOURSELF and the local church. Are you willing to undergo disciplined training for the sake of the gospel? Can you exercise self-control for the sake of others on the team? To pose such questions is Paul’s aim in 1 Cor 9.

Reference:

  1. Richard B. Hays. First Corinthians. Interpretation. A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. 1997.
  2. Gordon D. Fee. First Corinthians. The New International Commentary on the NT. 1987, 2014.
  3. Richard B. Hays. The Moral Vision of the N.T. A Contemporary Introduction to N.T. Ethics. 1996.

Sermon Divisions:

  1. 7/12/20: Always Thank God (1:1-9) [1 Cor 1:4].  Cosmic Epic Calling [1 Cor 1:2].
  2. 7/19/20: The Devil Divides, God Unites (1:10-17) [1 Cor 1:10]. All Agree. No Divisions. Perfect Unity.
  3. 7/26/20: The Cross—God‘s Way—is Dumb (1:18-25) [1 Cor 1:18]. The Cross Stumbles. The Cross is like a Cop Out. Foolish Cross.
  4. 8/2/20: What You Were, Who Christ Is (1:26-31) [1 Cor 1:26, 30]. The Necessity of Lack. No Boasting  [1 Cor 1:31].
  5. 8/9/20: Nothing but Jesus (2:1-5) [1 Cor 2:2].
  6. 8/16/20: Wise vs. Stupid (2:6-16) [1 Cor 2:6]. True Wisdom is Only for the Mature. The Mind of Christ [1 Cor 2:16].
  7. 8/23/20: You‘re NOT Spiritual (3:1-4) [1 Cor 3:1].  Spiritual, Yet Not Spiritual.
  8. 8/30/20: Merely Servants (3:5-9) [1 Cor 3:5]. Field Laborers.
  9. 9/6/20: Build with Care or Be Destroyed (3:10-15, 16-17) [1 Cor 3:10-11]. God’s Temple.
  10. 9/13/20: Deceived by Wisdom (3:18-23). All Belongs to Christ and God. Wisdom doesn’t boast.
  11. 9/20/20: When You Are Judged (4:1-5) [1 Cor 4:4]. Go Ahead…Judge Me!  Judged Only by God; Accountable Only to God.  Judging Others Blinds You.
  12. 9/27/20: When You Are Scum (4:6-13) [1 Cor 4:13]. Become Scum. Puffed up Corinthians and Suffering Apostle amid Others’ Boasting.
  13. 10/4/20: Imitate Me (4:14-21) [1 Cor 4:19]. Fatherly Admonition. Final Warning to Boasters. Fatherly Admonition to Paul’s Corinthian Children.
  14. 10/11/20: Expel the Wicked Man (5:1-13) [1 Cor 5:13]. Drive out the wicked person from among you. [David, Daniel]
  15. 10/18/20: You Were Washed in the Name (6:1-11) [1 Cor 6:11]. You will Judge the World [1 Cor 6:2]. I Say this to shame you [1 Cor 6:5]. [Christy Peace]
  16. 10/25/20: Your Body is NOT Yours (6:12-20) [1 Cor 6:13]. Glorify God with Your Body. [Adrien]
  17. 11/1/20: Sex in Marriage is a Good Thing (7:1-7). [Yohan] [Women, Wives, Wise West Loop Elders and Singles]
  18. 11/8/20: No Divorce (7:8-16). [Angie]
  19. 11/15/20: Remain as You Are (7:17-24). [Taniesha]
  20. 11/22/20: An Eschatological Reason to Stay Single (7:25-31). [David, Daniel]
  21. 11/29/20: An Urgent Imperative for Singles (7:32-35). [Sarah, Josh]
  22. 12/6/20: Stay Single or Marry (7:36-40). [Noah, Jim]
  23. 12/13/20: You Love When You‘re Known by God (8:1-13). [Rhoel, Chris]
  24. 1/3/21: Don’t Use Your Rights (9:1-14, 15-18).
  25. 1/10/21: Train Yourself to Renouce your Rights (9:19-27).
  26. 1/17/21:
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