Paul's Metaphors

by J. A. Davidson (Northern Ireland)

PAPER 3 — ATHLETICS : THE RUNNER

In previous papers we have noticed how the Apostle, as he moved through the great cities of his day, drew lessons from the materials, structure and types which he observed. He would not only have seen humble houses to live in and great temples given over to idolatry but in Ephesus, Athens, Corinth, Rome and all the major cities of those days he would have seen a great amphitheatre. The historic remains of some of these vast constructions are preserved until this day. In those arenas, the Greek athletes strove in the contests which gave the pattern of the present day Olympics.

The Isthmian Games were an athletic event known to all his readers. They were held on alternate summers at Corinth. It was an event not to be missed by anyone of importance in all parts of Greece. As a national institution Paul was using familiar language as he spoke of the runner, the race and the rules. As discipline and self control were necessary for the athlete, so it was essential for the believer. As the Greeks applauded their heroes contesting in the running, wrestling and feats of endurance, Paul would remind the saints that we are in the race; we strive for masteries (contend in the games); we are made a spectacle (theatre) and we press toward the mark. With every breath and sinew, his eye upon the prize with unflagging zeal Paul continued in the race. "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus," Phil.3.14.

The believer has no interest in the ball games of the worldling but esteems it better to suffer loss in this world that he or she may win Christ. The names of national or local teams are not familiar to the saint who is pressing on with singleness of eye to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. We follow our Forerunner in a greater race, we fight in the good fight of more noble cause. The sober believer, with the eye of faith set upon the incorruptible reward from the Righteous Judge, will have no interest in the corruptible toys and tinsel of sport.

THE RUNNER:

Others have run the race before us. We are expected to lay aside every weight and run with patience as we consider the Lord Himself, Who reached the Throne by the way of the cross. John Baptist, though his race was energetic and very short; "fulfilled his course," Acts 13.25. The Gospel which brought us salvation, is considered as a runner. "That the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified," 2Thess.3.1. How beautiful are the feet of those who continue to publish the message. Paul himself, the race nearly over, about to breast the tape, could say, "I have finished my course," 2Tim.4.7. The grace of God in salvation has given us a good start. Do we esteem highly the blessing of an unblemished testimony and a good finish?

"Every man that striveth for the mastery is temporate in all things," 1Cor.9.25. Every Greek athlete had to produce a birth certificate, undergo strenuous training, conform to precise standards of discipline, must be temperate, show moderation, have a special diet, eat wholesome food and study the course. We must begin with a personal experience of the new birth for without it we are running in the wrong direction. The race, if run to God’s glory, requires sacrifice, the course is costly and there are things we may need to give up. Hindrances, hobbies and half heartedness will produce a loser. Again in this chapter Paul says, "I keep under my body." This requires self control and the starving of fleshy cravings. We often hear the question, "What harm is there in it?" If it is tempting to the flesh, it is an added weight which will impede progress in the race.

"Exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things," 1Tim.4.7-8. Bodily exercise pertains to this life but Paul would exhort a youthful Timothy unto exercise in godliness. In the priorities of the heavenly course, godliness comes before gift and in this sphere, holiness is healthiness.

THE RULES:

"If a man also strive for masteries (contend in the games), yet is he not crowned, except he strive (contend) lawfully," 2Tim.2.5. When Paul first got saved, he said "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" The course before us is clearly set out in the Guide Book, the Word of God. In humble obedience, we should seek to follow straight paths, taking no short cuts, not stepping out of our allotted sphere of privilege and responsibility as brothers and sisters prepared to do the Lord’s will. It is good for the young believer to discover the course.

"None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I received of the Lord Jesus," Acts 20.24. Paul had a clear vision of the course, the hindrances and the finish. To make steady progress without wavering we need to have fixed singleness of eye; "serving the Lord with all humility of mind," Acts 20.19.

"We are made a spectacle (theatre) unto the world, and to angels, and to men," 1Cor.4.9. Every city held its contests, the people had their favourite heroes, the populace would come to cheer on the champion. Paul was in the arena, he was contending in the fight against the powers of darkness, he was in the thick of the conflict with the principalities of evil, every effort was being made to hinder him in the race and the crowd was not favourable. Thus while Paul was putting every drop of energy into the contest, the Corinthians were reigning as kings, relaxing in the gallery. "We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised," 1Cor.4.10. Are we in the race, straining every nerve, putting our last drop of energy into that which is Divine and Eternal? If we are sitting judging, criticising anything that is being done and finding fault with all about us, then we are just unworthy spectators.

THE RACE:

There are differences in the strategy involved depending on whether the race is sprint, medium distance, obstacle, endurance or marathon. Paul knew of no holding back but warned of the obstacles in the path.

This requires strenuous effort. "I press toward the mark," Phil.3.14. All nerves and sinews strung, as the distance between his feet and the winning post diminished, he did not slack but pressed on more and more with all the spiritual vigour which he could muster.

We either use energy, effort and exertion by putting our best into it or we slack off, grow tired, feeble, faint and may even drop out. This demands spiritual energy. Though imprisoned in chains, Paul was still energetic in the race, full of spiritual vigour with the goal ahead, right on to the tape, eyes fixed on the glory of Christ.

The stress is on endurance. "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain," 1Cor.9.24. The thought is not of a competition but run as a prize winner, the prize within reach of all. Run as Paul ran. "If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead," Phil.3.11. Paul’s aim was the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, being made comformable unto His death and so coming as near as possible to a resurrected man, and so win Christ.

There are obstacles in the race. "Ye did run well; who did hinder you?" Gal.5.7. The Judaisers and their teaching had been a stumbling block to the Galatians. It is possible to run and not finish the race. "Lest by any means, I should run, or had run, in vain," Gal.2.2. Some may get discouraged and dishearted and drop out of the race. Others sadly, may by neglect or carelessness, get tripped up and fall headlong.

When the race is finished, the reward will be righteous. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me in that day," 2Tim.4.7-8. Paul had known unfair judgment by fellow believers and harsh treatment by the ungodly but he was confident that the Lord would rightly assess the course and assign the prize, He was the Righteous Judge. The Greek athlete in Paul’s day at best, could enjoy the applause of the people in the amphitheatre and receive a garland of leaves around his neck. Those green leaves would soon wither and pass, just as the awards of earth are corruptible. For the believer who maintains mastery over self, there will be an "incorruptible crown," 1Cor.9.25. Paul speaks of a "crown of rejoicing" for the soul winner, 1Thess.2.19. There is promise also of a "crown of righteousness … unto all them that love His appearing," 2Tim.4.8. May we esteem above all, a good finish and seek that we may be preserved diligent in the Race until we have gone the last mile of the way.

—to be continued (D.V.)