Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
— 1 Corinthians 9:24

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul speaks about some race in which he took part, and about the prize the winner receives. These words of Paul are often used to “motivate” believers to do certain works, because if they don’t do them, they may turn out to be disqualified from the prize. This interpretation frightens God’s children, because nobody wants to turn out unworthy, and as a result believers busy themselves with unnecessary works and live in fear. The Lord has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind [2 Tim.1:7]. If you read or hear something and it fills you with fear and troubles you, it is not from God, because perfect [Christ’s] love does not frighten but casts out all fear [1 Jhn.4:18]. So what was Paul writing about?

When we read Scripture, it is important to look at it in the context of what is said. In this passage Paul is speaking about preaching the gospel. He writes: “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me…” [1 Cor.9:16]. So Paul is saying: “If I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, because it is my necessity.” And then he goes on: “For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.” [1 Cor.9:17]. Closer to the original, this says: “If I do it of my own choice, I make [create for myself] a reward…”.

Who preaches of his own choice? Those whom God did not send, and who try by their own works, like the rich young man [Mat.19:16-21] or like the builders of the tower of Babel [Gen.11:4], to achieve or build a reward for themselves. Such people always expect a reward from God for their labour. But if a ministry has been entrusted, as it was to Paul, it is a gift from God [Eph.4:8-11]. In this case it is no longer the man who labours, but the grace of God, Jesus, who works in the man [1 Cor.15:10]. And if it is not the man who labours but Jesus, then what reward is there, and who receives it? That is why Paul writes: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?” Who is the winner, the one? The one who is in heaven — Jesus. He is our winner, and we are winners in Him.

“The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, ‘You see that you are accomplishing nothing.'” [Jhn.12:19] The legalistic Pharisees, who were busy only with works, could not keep up with Him, because He “ran” too fast. In the epistle to the Hebrews the author writes: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” [Heb.12:1-2]. Notice the words “lay aside every weight”. What weight is meant? The weight of the works of the law in which the Pharisees lived. And what is the sin that so easily ensnares us? Unbelief, the veil of the law, which kept the Pharisees from looking to the author and finisher of faith [2 Cor.3:15-16].

Only those who are in the works of the law can turn out to be disqualified. Paul writes: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are IN THE FAITH. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?; unless indeed you are disqualified.” [2 Cor.13:5] In Greek “disqualified” is one word, “adokimos”, which means unworthy, not approved. Then who is approved? The one who lives in faith — the one in whom Jesus Christ lives. “Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is He… Jesus Christ…” [1 Jhn.5:5-6] Jesus is our faith, He is our victory, and He is our reward!