Paul being "disqualified"

[Achilles6129]

Here's a passage which has caused much debate, particularly regarding whether or not you can lose your salvation:

"24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." 1 Cor. 9:27 (NASB)

So, what does it mean?

 

[Achilles6129]

Any thoughts on this most confusing passage?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Any thoughts on this most confusing passage?

Hi Achillies,

It means that we can assume too much on our part as to the level of faith we think we have. It also reflects where Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). This is also further expounded upon by Paul in Chapter 10 which immediately follows the verse you've cited (1 Cor. 9:27). As we see there, Paul refers to the Old Testament Scriptures as having severe warnings for us, warnings that our present day, democratic minds like to ignore.

Peace
2PhiloVoid

 

[Achilles6129]

Interesting. So you believe the Apostle Paul could fall away and be lost?

 

[forgiven49]

Here's a passage which has caused much debate, particularly regarding whether or not you can lose your salvation:

"24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." 1 Cor. 9:27 (NASB)

So, what does it mean?

The short answer is yes and if you read chapter 10 verses 6 to 12 it becomes more clear. Also check 1 Cor. chapter 15 verses 1 and 2.

 

[Wgw]

Interesting. So you believe the Apostle Paul could fall away and be lost?

He could have; we can all fall away; Once Saved Always Saved was never the faith of the early Church and is in fact unbiblical on the basis of this verse.

Now there is a workaround: this does not mean Calvinist predestination is unbiblical. A Calvinist can simply argue that someone who falls away was never saved to begin with, but was rather unregenerate.

Where OSAS collapses completely is Arminianism; if we believe that we have free will and that salvation is a free choice we make, we also must accept based on this bible verse and the faith of the early Church that we can fall away.

Actually, the fear of Christians falling away from Christ was the number one pastoral concern of the early Church; the Fathers believed the devil would tempt the faithful with sex, gluttony, and in later stages of spiritual progress, immense spiritual pride and thus destructive self-delusion ("Look at me, I've conquered the passions! I am a holy man!). The latter is believed to have been responsible for most heresies; many of the worst heretics like Arius were known for a superficial ascetic severity.

The fear of the early Church concerning Christians succumbing to temptation and forfeiting their salvation as Esau forfeited his birthright is best exemplified in the the homilies of St. John Chrysostom, the book The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus, and in this famous icon of the same name from the Monastery of St. Catharine in Sinai:

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[Shane R]

Judas was an apostle, "For he was one of our number and was allotted a share in this ministry;" (Acts 1:17) and yet he was lost. If one looks at the Gospel accounts, he participated in the limited commission. What are the implications for all other disciples if one of the twelve called could fall?

 

[Wgw]

Judas was an apostle, "For he was one of our number and was allotted a share in this ministry;" (Acts 1:17) and yet he was lost. If one looks at the Gospel accounts, he participated in the limited commission. What are the implications for all other disciples if one of the twelve called could fall?

Indeed; the failure of Judas is the cautionary tale par excellence.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Interesting. So you believe the Apostle Paul could fall away and be lost?

It wasn't an impossibility... How, you ask? Good question. I interpret the term 'predestination' to refer--more or less--to the fact that God has determined beforehand those He will favor most. However, I don't take this to mean this in TULIP terms.

 

[Swordofthe Spirit]

Here's a passage which has caused much debate, particularly regarding whether or not you can lose your salvation:

"24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." 1 Cor. 9:27 (NASB)

So, what does it mean?

Not confusing at all. Paul wasn't talking about losing his salvation, but of being disqualified from ministry if he didn't remain faithful.

 

[fhansen]

Here's another, Phil 3:10-14:

10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

 

[Godislove94]

The key here is, "after I have preached to others". What Paul is talking about here is hypocrisy and making sure that he lived his life to the consistency of what he preached as much as possible so that no one was kept from coming to salvation. Also speaking of sanctification.

 

[Achilles6129]

Here's another, Phil 3:10-14:

10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

This is an interesting passage. Wouldn't it be obvious that Paul had not yet attained the resurrection of the dead?

 

[fhansen]

This is an interesting passage. Wouldn't it be obvious that Paul had not yet attained the resurrection of the dead?

Sure, and for the same reason, if that was all that was included in the passage, it would be rather strange for Paul to even bring it up. IOW if the only thing holding him back from said resurrection was his continuing to live, what's the point? So attaining the resurrection meant to arise again with Christ, heavenward, unto eternal life, a goal he must strive towards, which reconciles the whole meaning of Phil 3.

 

[BobRyan]

Here's a passage which has caused much debate, particularly regarding whether or not you can lose your salvation:

"24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." 1 Cor. 9:27 (NASB)

So, what does it mean?

Same as Romans 11 -
19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.