Question: .

Could you please explain 1 Cor. 9:24-27? What was the "prize" and "crown," and what did Paul mean when he said he could become "disqualified?" Thanks!

Jonathan

Answer:

Dear Jonathan,

I assume that your question centers on the issue of salvation - i.e. was Paul expressing that he could "win" his salvation (the crown/prize) and was he saying that he could lose it (be disqualified)?

First, it is important to remember that Christians are not saved by works, but for works (Ephesians 2:8-10). Works do not save us, but that does not mean that Christians do not obey and follow Jesus Christ. In fact, it is the fact that Christians obey and follow Jesus Christ which is the "proof" of their faith. That is, as James tells us in his book, we show our faith by our works. If we are saved, we will obey. But, and it is an important "but", our works do not earn salvation. That message is absolutely clear throughout the New Testament.

We are justified and saved by grace through faith. Having been saved, we live sanctified and holy lives. Thus, given the analogy that Paul employs in 1 Corinthians 9, the fact that we are in the race at all is by grace. We are saved, and the fact that we are in the race proves that.

But we must still run - and run Christians do. We bear our cross - we each run with different handicaps and challenges. Our strength alone will never allow us to finish the race (Romans 8 - latter portion of the chapter shows that we are more than conquerors through Christ).

Paul was using a metaphor from the Isthmian Games, which were held in Corinth every two years. Metaphors and analogies, including those used in Scripture, are not intended to be dissected in every minute detail - but instead they teach a fundamental truth or two.

Paul here is teaching self control - a theme that other New Testament books emphasize. 2 Timothy 4:8 tells us that the crown of righteousness awaits all those who love his appearing - so Paul is not suggesting that our efforts at running will gain salvation.

Paul is saying that he fears losing his crown by not pleasing the Lord - but he clearly teaches elsewhere that nothing he did guaranteed his eternal salvation - that guarantee was given at the cross and won by the finished work of Christ on the cross.

We might remember that Paul, in this same book, in chapter 3, reminded us all that our work would be examined - tested by fire. The foundation of our building is Jesus Christ, and no one can lay that foundation except the Lord. But we are his workmanship (Ephesians 2:10) and we are called upon to continue to build, as Christ lives his life within us (Galatians 2:20).

Paul did not want, after having been saved and given eternal life, to live his life as a Christian using his own resources. He did not want to try to qualify through his human efforts to be the workmanship that only Christ can create as we yield to him allowing him to live his life within us. Paul feared that he would do the work God had called him to do by his own efforts - for he knew that if he did he could not "win" the race in which he found himself, by God's grace.

In this same passage Paul changes the metaphor from running to boxing - while maintaining the theme that the Christian must live a life of self control (in reality Christ control).

There are rewards for doing the work that God calls us to do - both in this life and in life eternal. Several passages, including the parable of pounds and talents, allude to such rewards. But no passage teaches that our efforts earn salvation - eternal life which is a free gift to those who believe and accept Jesus Christ as being enough/sufficient/complete for our salvation.

Hope this helps!

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht