The Prize

by Perry Hall

"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. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified" (I Corinthians 9:24-27).

If you don’t believe in “Once Saved, Always Saved,” then you have probably used this text to teach that Paul believed he could become disqualified from salvation. While that is a valid application of the text, it is not the primary point.

What has always bothered me about that application is, “but only one receives the prize” (I Corinthians 9:24). Is Paul saying, “try to be a better Christian than others as if you have to beat them to make it to heaven!”? If not, then what is the interpretation?

This winning the prize immediately follows Paul’s admonition to become all things to all men. Notice this repeating word:

• “win more people” (I Corinthians 9:19)
• “win Jews” (I Corinthians 9:20)
• “win those under the law” (I Corinthians 9:20)
• “win those without the law” (I Corinthians 9:21)
• “win the weak” (I Corinthians 9:22)

The “prize” (I Corinthians 9:24) that he is trying to win is not his own salvation but the salvation of others. The “prize” is the salvation of a person, the salvation of a Jew, the salvation of one under the law, the salvation of one without the law, and the salvation of the weak.

The “imperishable crown” is not his own salvation; it is the salvation of others. This is reminiscent of Paul’s language describing the Thessalonians – “For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting” (I Thessalonians 2:19).

Paul exercises self-control in everything (I Corinthians 9:25). This includes his body (I Corinthians 9:27). This “body” is still within the analogy of an athlete. Contextually, his body includes his actions which involves training his conscience to become all things to all men.

Why is this training to love others (i.e., the law of Christ – I Corinthians 9:21) to become what they need to hear us preach the gospel important? Could not loving, not saving souls, not putting others’ needs before our wants, not training our conscience, not being able to forego freedoms, not knowing the difference between the law of God and our conscience, all disqualify us?

Train yourself to win souls by training your conscience, being willing to put their salvation above your reputation, and becoming all things to all people so that they become your prize.