1 Corinthians 9:27 Prize is Not a Gift
When writing about his walk as a believer, Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 9:27:
27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
When Paul tells us that he is a cast away, does he that mean God would just throw him away? Possibly that Paul could lose salvation? As with all parts of the Bible, one must endeavor to read it in the original context, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Paul is talking about running a race. Is Paul providing a picture of salvation? Is one to believe that salvation is a race? And it is the winner that receives eternal life?
If that was true, only the best and fastest would make it to heaven. One would have to win the race. If that was true, it would limit salvation. Salvation is not some sporting event.
We have to ask ourselves, when is salvation equated to winning a prize? Never, salvation is not a prize. It is a free gift, Romans 6:23.
23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Yeshua Messiah our Lord.
There is a big difference between a gift and a prize. A prize is something one earns. Whereas, a gift comes at no cost.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 is in line with 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Yeshua Messiah. 12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
A reward is similar to a prize. Believers are rewarded based on their works. However, salvation is a free gift. That is why in 1 Corinthians 3:15:
15If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
The individual whose works are completely burned receives no reward. However, they are still saved by fire.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27
26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Castaway is from the Greek word adokimos {ad-ok’-ee-mos}(G96). It means that which does not prove itself as it ought to. This was a troublesome word until the late 1800s. When it was determined that it was used to refer to a clay pot that was cracked. The clay pot would not be used anymore. It would be put on a shelf and turned so that no one could see the crack.
Put on the shelf is similar to a believer that does not continue to run the race. They do not lose salvation, because they are secure. However, the race is over for the prize.
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