Castaway (1 Corinthians 9:27)

2023-06-24

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (1 Corinthians 9:27)

The apostle Paul spent the entire chapter of this verse defending his rights as an apostle. He could make a salary off the church, he could have a wife, and have a right to live an ordinary life. However, anything that would inhibit the preaching of the Gospel was avoided. This famous missionary removed everything that would keep him from the prize of willingly preaching the Gospel. He knew better than anybody else the cost of not being self-controlled. Paul avoided the good to obtain the better. If he did not, he would be cast away from his would-be audience.

The word for castaway is the same for reprobate. This is not because Paul might become a reprobate, meaning rejected of God. This is because the apostle would be rejected by men, and therefore the Gospel would be rejected because of choices he made.

All who call on the name of Jesus of Nazareth, surrender your rights for the better thing of Gospel preaching. Make sacrifices so that His name can be glorified. Set your mind on Him alone and the rest will take care of itself.