16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
REFLECTION
- Paul presented himself as one who had surrendered many personal rights for the benefit of others. Paul wanted to make preaching the gospel a gift, not a purchase (v18). He wanted to identify with others, so as not to personally offend anyone who needed to hear the gospel (vv22-23).
- In giving up the rights mentioned in chapters 8—9, how are we like athletes in training (vv. 24-27)? Right now, in the race of the gospel, are you a runner or a spectator? Do you long for the crown (trophy) that God is going to reward you? Talk to God about your role right now, ask Him to help you prepare for the race.
- 3. If we are as eager to serve God, as sensitive to others, and as focused on eternity, our “rights” will seem unimportant to us as well. (Larry Richards)
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.
If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.
Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible. If your children are younger, you may read vv24-27 only.)
Do you participate in any type of sports? How do you prepare for a race or a game? Discuss. You have a goal to win the game or race. Paul says Christians have a race to run. And God has the best prize for us at the end. Our preparation is the spiritual disciplines: reading the Bible, prayer, worship, sharing the gospel, etc. By doing these disciplines, we’ll be prepared to win the race.
Proverbs for Today 18:5-7
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked
or to deprive the righteous of justice.
6 A fool’s lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.