Bible Discussion Thread

I would be interested in your opinion of what the Apostle Paul meant by "castaway?" verse 27

As a believer in the eternal security of the believer I wouldnt think the Apostle Paul believed he could/would be eternally lost, considering his letter to the Ephesians 3:11-14.

Frank,

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:27, But I keep under my body, and I bring it into subjection:



When he says I keep my body under, the Greek phrase is "I beat my body black and blue," boxing terms!



When you are disciplining your body for a contest, you're actually punishing your body and putting it through pain to get it ready.



To bring it into subjection, lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.



The word castaway is an athletic term that means disqualified.



Can you imagine the judge on the judges' stand, and after you worked for 6 months or whatever it is just to get that little crown for your head?



You want to beat everybody else and be in the best shape that you can, and the judge sees you make the turn and you cut into somebody else's lane. Disqualified!



Paul says I keep my body in subjection, so that after I preach to others, I'm not disqualified because of the actions of my flesh.



You see, there's two aspects about serving Christ. Number one, is the Spirit of Christ in us ministering to others, and the control of the flesh, so that that influence is not pushed away by people that have received Christ through us.



It happens all the time. We talk truth, but we act like everybody else does!

It could be both eternally lost and rejected of men. Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. I would consider "cut off" comparable to "castaway". Rev. 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Both scriptures are talking about saved people.

Castaway: rejected, or disapproved of; that is, by men: the apostle's concern is, lest he should do anything that might bring a reproach on the Gospel; lest some corruption of his nature or other should break out, and thereby his ministry be justly blamed, and be brought under contempt; and so he be rejected and disapproved of by men, and become useless as a preacher: not that he feared he should become a reprobate, as the word is opposed to an elect person; or that he should be a castaway eternally, or be everlastingly damned; for he knew in whom he had believed, and was persuaded of his interest in the love of God, and that he was a chosen vessel of salvation, that could not be eternally lost: