“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” (1 Corinthians 9:24).

The apostle Paul alludes to athletic games in the Hellenic world which attracted audiences like our own in America. The Isthmian games were well known to the Corinthians and provided Paul with an excellent parallel. There were minor events which awarded more than one prize, and major events which yielded only one. With the latter Paul makes his point.

Those who competed in the race were careful to maintain self-control – they were “temperate in all things” (v. 25). This fits wonderfully into the context in which Paul exhorted the brethren to forgo liberties for the sake of a weaker brother, and for the sake of themselves (cf. 8:9-13). An athlete may eat whatever he desires, and train as little as he desires, but the one competing for the prize has self-control! “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful” (10:23).

The application is evident as Paul writes, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (9:27). The Christian runs a figurative race to heaven which is measured by a single standard (cf. John 12:48). Falling short disqualifies. Ergo we should be careful as we live for God, not allowing even a liberty to threaten our integrity! Discipline will “[yield] the peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11).