Paul's Illustration of Self Denial
In verse 26 Paul continues, "Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air. Paul uses the KJV Bible word "uncertainly" (Greek G84 ἀδήλως, adēlōs) to describe how he runs. The NASB translates the word "without aim." This is the only time the word is used in the NT. The word is used mostly by the classical writers of the day to usually mean obscurely. Paul reinforces his argument with the illustration of the boxing event by which he reasons that he does not box as one beating the air. Most boxers use what the sport calls shadow boxing as a training technique. Shadow boxing requires only one person who throws punches into the air at no one in particular. The apostle is using his personal example to communicate to the brethren at Corinth that he does not live his life as an apostle in obscure uncertainty, aimlessly …show more content…
Paul writes in 1Cor9:27 "but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." The Greek word (ἀδόκιμος, adokimos) translated castaway (KJV) or disqualified (NASB) is what Paul is warning the Corinthians against. One of the more egregious interpretations of verse 27 is that Paul feared that he would be cast away by God into eternal suffering in the Lake of Fire if he did not properly fulfill his office as an apostle. To this interpretation there are three objections. 1) The context is of service and not salvation. 2) The promise of Jesus in John6:37 "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out." 3) The word adokimos is a two part word (1) dokimos means to put one's approval upon after one has tested something (2) ἀ the Greek letter Alpha when a prefix of a word makes the meaning the opposite of what it originally meant. Together the words mean "disapproval after having failed to meet the
In verse 26 Paul continues, "Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air. Paul uses the KJV Bible word "uncertainly" (Greek G84 ἀδήλως, adēlōs) to describe how he runs. The NASB translates the word "without aim." This is the only time the word is used in the NT. The word is used mostly by the classical writers of the day to usually mean obscurely. Paul reinforces his argument with the illustration of the boxing event by which he reasons that he does not box as one beating the air. Most boxers use what the sport calls shadow boxing as a training technique. Shadow boxing requires only one person who throws punches into the air at no one in particular. The apostle is using his personal example to communicate to the brethren at Corinth that he does not live his life as an apostle in obscure uncertainty, aimlessly …show more content…
Paul writes in 1Cor9:27 "but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." The Greek word (ἀδόκιμος, adokimos) translated castaway (KJV) or disqualified (NASB) is what Paul is warning the Corinthians against. One of the more egregious interpretations of verse 27 is that Paul feared that he would be cast away by God into eternal suffering in the Lake of Fire if he did not properly fulfill his office as an apostle. To this interpretation there are three objections. 1) The context is of service and not salvation. 2) The promise of Jesus in John6:37 "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out." 3) The word adokimos is a two part word (1) dokimos means to put one's approval upon after one has tested something (2) ἀ the Greek letter Alpha when a prefix of a word makes the meaning the opposite of what it originally meant. Together the words mean "disapproval after having failed to meet the