Running to Win

How would you describe Paul’s approach to evangelism? Intense words like zealous or courageous or fearless may immediately come to mind. Those are definitely good descriptions of his approach to evangelism, but have you considered how Paul describes his approach? He says that what marks his approach to winning others to Christ is slavery and discipline. Here’s how John MacArthur unpacks Paul’s description of his approach to ministry in 1 Corinthians 9:19–27 in the MacArthur Bible Commentary.

Paul limits his freedom to win others to the gospel.

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.”

1 Corinthians 9:19–23

9:19 | a servant. By choice, Paul set aside his right to be supported, and thus “enslaved” himself to self-support, in order to remove a potential offense and win more people to Jesus Christ (cf. Prov. 11:30).

9:20 | became as a Jew. Within the limits of God’s Word and his Christian conscience, Paul would be as culturally and socially Jewish as necessary when witnessing to Jews (cf. Rom. 9:3; 10:1; 11:14). He was not bound to ceremonies and traditions of Judaism. All legal restraints had been removed, but there was the constraint of love. For examples of this identification with customs of the Jews, see Acts 16:3; 18:18; 21:20–26.

9:21 | those . . . without law. This refers to Gentiles. Paul was not suggesting the violating of God’s moral law, but, as he explained, not being lawless toward God, but abiding by the law of Jesus Christ (cf. James 1:25; 2:8, 12).

9:22 | weak. Paul stooped to make the gospel clear at the lower level of comprehension, which he no doubt had done often while dealing with the Corinthians themselves (cf. 2:1–5). all things . . . all means. Within the bounds of God’s Word, he would not offend the Jew, Gentile, or those weak in understanding. Not changing Scripture or compromising the truth, he would condescend in ways that could lead to salvation

Paul disciplines his body to win others to the gospel.

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. 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. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 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 Corinthians 9:24–27

9:24–27 | Liberty cannot be limited without self-control, since the flesh resists limits on its freedom. Here, Paul speaks of his personal self-control.

9:24 | race. The Greeks enjoyed two great athletic events, the Olympic games and the Isthmian games, and because the Isthmian events were held in Corinth, believers there were quite familiar with this analogy of running to win.

9:25 | temperate. Self-control is crucial to victory. crown. A wreath of greenery given to the winner of the race. Cf. 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4.

9:26 | not with uncertainty. Four times he has mentioned his goal of winning people to salvation (vv. 19, 22). beats the air. Paul changes the metaphor to boxing to illustrate the point that he was no shadow boxer, just waving his arms without effect (cf. 1 Tim. 1:18).

9:27 | discipline. From a term meaning literally “to hit under the eye.” Paul knocked out the bodily impulses to keep them from preventing him from his mission of winning souls to Christ. disqualified. Another metaphor from the athletic games. A contestant who failed to meet basic training requirements could not participate at all, much less have an opportunity to win. Paul may be especially referring to such fleshly sins that disqualify a person from preaching and leading the church, particularly being blameless and above reproach in the sexual area, since such sin is a disqualification.

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