Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. What is the apostle Paul’s purpose for presenting the example of the athlete in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (printed below?)
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in a way that will assure you of winning the prize. (25) Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training, they do this in order to win a perishable crown, but we do so in order to obtain one that is imperishable. (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)
Turning to the subject of self-discipline in the Christian life, the apostle Paul illustrates the place and necessity for such discipline by pointing us to the athlete. Paul exhorts us to exert “a winning effort” in our Christian life (verse 24). In verse 25 Paul points out how the athlete subjects himself to a rigorous program of training and self-discipline with the hope of possibly winning “a perishable crown.” How much more should we as Christians subject ourselves to the discipline of Christ with the sure hope of obtaining “an imperishable crown!” Note: whereas the athlete relies upon self-effort; we as Christians have the divine resources of the grace of God and the person of the Holy Spirit (note again Philippians 2:12-13 and also 2 Timothy 2:1).
2. What does Paul testify about his own personal life? See 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (printed below)
For this reason, I do not run like someone who has no goal, I do not box like someone who is merely beating the air. (27) On the contrary, I beat my body and bring it into submission, so that, after having preached to others, by no means will I myself be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:26-27)
In verses 26-27 the apostle Paul, for his own sake (as well as being an example for us), applies this matter of Christian self-discipline to his own life. He testifies, “I do not run like someone who has no goal;” rather, he sets his sights on the goal—here is purposeful Christian living focused upon Christ (note again Hebrews 12:1-2). Paul further testifies, “I do not box like someone who is merely beating the air. (27) On the contrary, I beat my body and bring it into submission.” While we must be gentle towards others (Colossians 3:12-14), we must be ruthless with regard to our own sins (Mark 9:43-47).
3. What spiritual privileges had been given to the Old Testament people of Israel? See 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 (printed below) But what happened to them when they abused those privileges? See 1 Corinthians 10:5 (printed below)
I say this, brothers, because I do not want you to disregard the fact that all our fathers were under the cloud and they all passed through the sea. (2) And they all were baptized into Moses by means of the cloud and the sea. (3) And they all ate the same spiritual food. (4) And they all drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them—that rock was Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:1-4)
However, God was not pleased with most of them; this is evident because their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. (1 Corinthians 10:5)
In verses 1-4 of chapter 10 the apostle Paul enumerates the spiritual privileges of Old Testament Israel. “All our fathers were under the cloud and they all passed through the sea.” That is to say, the whole nation enjoyed the divine presence and protection of the Lord, and all were brought safely through the parted waters of the Red Sea. “They all were baptized into Moses by means of the cloud and the sea;” the whole nation was sacramentally identified with Moses, the servant of God and the divinely appointed redeemer. “They all ate the same spiritual food…they all drank the same spiritual drink.” The whole nation was sustained in the wilderness by the food and drink the Lord miraculously provided for them. (Note: that divinely provided food and drink is seen as being an Old Testament parallel to the New Testament sacrament of communion which represents the spiritual sustenance we receive from Christ.) Despite the privileges and blessings they received, verse 5 indicates that “God was not pleased with most of them—their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.” The same God who so graciously provided for them also struck them down when they abused and despised His grace. The fact that their bodies were scattered in the wilderness emphasizes the fact that they did not attain their final destination, namely, the Promised Land of Canaan.
4. What warning does the apostle Paul issue in 1 Corinthians 10:12 (printed below?)
Therefore, let the one who thinks he is standing secure, be careful not to fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12)
Verse 12 issues a warning against presumption—the false confidence that we are standing secure, and therefore, do not need to be concerned about our moral and spiritual well-being. The Corinthians were confident that they had attained spiritual maturity and they were tempted to assume that they were immune to God’s judgment no matter how they lived. Thus, they had need of the warning issued in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; a warning to which we, also, must take heed.
5. What promise does the apostle Paul offer the Christian when we face temptation or trial? See 1 Corinthians 10:13 (printed below)
No temptation has seduced you except the kind that is experienced by all men. But God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear; on the contrary, along with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, so that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Verse 13 provides the assurance of God’s divine oversight and assistance in our struggle against temptation and in the time of trial: “God is faithful.” God’s faithfulness assures us that we will never be overmatched when we encounter temptation or trial: “He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear.” God’s faithfulness assures us that He will provide “the way of escape.” Note that the passage does not say that the Lord will provide a way of escape “so that you may avoid the trial;” it says, the Lord will provide a way escape “so that you may be able to endure the trial.” The emphasis is not upon the avoidance of trial, but upon the successful endurance of trial for our spiritual growth unto the glory of God (note 1 Peter 1:6-7).
