One of my former martial arts instructors envisioned tying Christian theology to the movements and skills of these eastern arts. It was sort of like being in an old Chinese movie about the Shaolin Temple monks, only it was set in Europe in the Middle Ages. One of his favorite Bible passages was the following.
The theological violence he did to this verse was equivalent to the physical violence in the gym. He used this verse as an imperative. We must train to win. Only the winners get the prize. Life in general, and martial arts in particular, were about being that one who receives the prize. A decade later, let me try to unravel this verse a bit and set it back into its proper context.
1 Corinthians 9 is a tough passage for Paul. He is letting loose on Corinth after some unflattering accusations concerning his Apostleship. After throwing down the gauntlet that anyone with more knowledge of Christ should take up his mantle, Paul discusses the essence of his mission. In verses 24-27, Paul uses a metaphor of athletics. Corinth held biennial Isthmian games that were in competition with the more renown Olympic Games held every four years. Therefore, the Corinthians were well versed in the athletic metaphor. In fact, it is possible that Paul was in Corinth during one of these games around 50 A.D. The use of this metaphor, therefore, was topical and apt by Paul.
Therefore, what is the prize? In the games, the prize was a wreath placed around the head like a crown. It was made of living branches or vines. It was perishable. To Paul, his crown was the people that he brought to Christ. These now saved lives are imperishable; the Salvation that Paul offered via the Gospel was imperishable. Paul is not undercutting the work of the Holy Spirit in this passage. Rather, Paul is pointing out the goal of the missionary or preacher, the salvation of the elect.
Who receives the prize? At first glance, only one will receive the prize. However, that is not a very useful Gospel message. Opening this verse up to the underlying tale of redemption to which Paul is referring in this metaphor, only One did receive the prize, and His name was Jesus. But He imputed this victory to His elect, those who understand the race and the training that is required to participate. The victory of the One is then shared with all who understand the work ethic and training required to participate. This actually dovetails nicely with the whole thrust of James. The works of the athlete do not guarantee victory, but are the required lifestyle of anyone who takes the games seriously enough to compete. The Victory is guaranteed by faith in the One who won the race.
When viewed in this manner, and putting it back into chapter 9 with the other metaphors, we can view this last paragraph of chapter 9 as Paul exhorting the Corinthians to good works through their faith in the One winner of the race. His own personal victory, Paul views as being as a result of his labors in getting as many people as he can to participate earnestly in the race. He is a Jew to Jews, a Gentile to Gentiles, a man who meets the people where they are. But Paul’s identity is always in terms of his Apostleship to the One who actually won the race.
Finally, my old Christian Shaolin master viewed this passage as a Law passage, as an imperative. He did so without grounding it in the indicatives. Rather than placing the emphasis on the training and then in receiving the glory through the One who won, he placed the glory only in winning. While it is appropriate to give all of the Glory to God, it should be remembered that through Christ’s work, all believers are winners as well. This passage is about Christian living, not about individual salvation. Paul may take pride in the people who he brings to the Gospel, but ultimately, Paul understands to Whom the Glory of the Victory belongs. The prize is eternal. The race has already been won. Today, we have faith in the Victor, while we emulate His example to the best of our ability. In this way, we are given all the honor, rights and privileges of the Victor as a gift through His Mercy and Grace.
--Ogre--
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