1Corinthians 9:19-27
19 For though I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may gain more.
20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the Law, I became as one under the Law, though not being under the Law myself, so that I might gain those who are under the Law;
21 to those who are without the Law, I became as one without the Law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might gain those who are without the Law.
22 To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak; I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some.
23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
26 Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air;
27 but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
The Gospel to All People
The principle of Paul’s mission
“For though I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may gain more.” This was Paul’s guiding principle in evangelism. Here Paul mentions three groups of people. (1) The Jews. In order to gain the Jews, Paul became like a Jew. The phrase “those who are under the Law” that follows also refers to the Jews. Although he strongly opposed the teaching that a person is saved by keeping the Law, in situations where the gospel was not compromised, he respected and observed the requirements of the Jewish Law as much as possible (Acts 16:3; 18:18; 21:20-26, etc.). (2) The Gentiles. “Those who are without the Law” refers to the Gentiles. To them, Paul became like a Gentiles. However, to avoid any misunderstanding, he adds, “I am under the law of Christ.” (3) The weak. This refers to those who are weak in faith and weak in conscience (as described in 8:9-12). Paul became like the weak, even to the point of giving up his own rights. He did this also in order to save the weak.
To partake of the grace
Next, Paul continues his discussion by using the example of the ancient Greek athletic games (such as the Olympics), which were very familiar to the people of Corinth. Competitions like these were also held in Corinth. As examples, he refers to what we would today call track and field events and wrestling. Those who compete in the games strive with all their might in order to win the prize and receive the victor’s crown. Yet that crown is perishable. Paul’s struggle, however, is for the sake of receiving an imperishable crown. (1) He says that he runs with his eyes fixed firmly on the finish line. He also says that he does not box as one beating the air. (2) He says that, after preaching to others, he disciplines his body and makes it his slave, so that he himself will not be disqualified. It is a mistake to underestimate the greatness of God’s grace. At the same time, it is also a mistake to deny the intensity of the battle against sin and the necessity of diligent effort. Because God’s grace is so great, we fight earnestly against sin. Let us be careful not to lose the proper balance between grace and effort.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, I too am laboring to receive the imperishable crown. Please guard me so that I may never lose the proper balance between grace and diligent effort. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.