1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown… I. THE FACT THAT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A STRIVING AFTER AN END. This text is out of joint with much of the language of the present day. Such as "the rest of faith" — as if Christian life were inaction. This is not an exceptional experience, or merely true of babes in Christ. The language appears again and again as the constant state of the apostle. II. THE MANNER OF THE STRIFE. 1. Lawfully. It must be in harmony with the Divine rule, not with our own impulses. 2. Certainly. Lawfulness secures certainty. Men guided by Christ are not in doubt as to what they ought to do, or as to the result. III. THE OBJECT OF OUR STRIVING. "I keep under my body." We think there was little need of Paul to do this. His body was indeed subject; he had gone through peril, trial, persecution. He never indulged it. IV. THE MOTIVES. 1. Not to be a castaway. 2. To gain a crown. (W. Landell, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And 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. |
    |