Lesson 75 December 1, 2002
#9. self-control; evgkra,teia evg = inner
kratoj = strength/rule
- it is a
general term to describe self-control and is evidence of Spirit empowerment,
that one is walking by the Spirit and the desires of the flesh do not dominate.
Summary
1. This
word literally means "strength inside."
2. This
quality speaks then of a virtue that relates to continually making the
decisions to walk by the Spirit which
maintains the isolation of the sin nature so that no works of the flesh are manifested.
3. This
self-control flows from knowledge of truth and leads to patient endurance in
the midst of the pressures of life 2
Peter 1:6.
4. Paul
compares this spiritual self-control to an athlete who makes the decisions to
train himself physically to compete in the games 1 Cor 9:25.
Rabbit trail - 1 Cor. 9:25-27
9:25 "competes in the games"; avgwni,zomai
And he says its
going to take some self discipline if your to realize the goal and receive the
prize.
- "exercises self control in all things";
evgkrateu,omai
For the Greek
athlete, he went through 10 months of strenuous, rigorous training for what?
"They then do it to
receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."
If all this effort
is put forth to gain something that will fade away, how much more should we
agonize if you will for eternal reward??
Ø 9:26a Paul draws
a conclusion because we as believers run not for a perishable reward but for an
imperishable.
"Therefore I run (keep on running)
in such a way, as not without aim;"
Ø 9:26b "I box in such a way, as not beating the
air;"
"as not beating the air."
Ø 9:27 Demonstration of his own self-discipline.
"but I discipline my body and make it my
slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be
disqualified."
"after I have preached to others, I myself
will not be disqualified."
There are four
directions in which this "disqualified" points.
1.
Is to Paul himself.
2. It points to many in the Corinthian church who
are continually operating under sin natures'
rulership, 3:1-3 men of flesh,
babes in Christ, and therefore are limiting their spiritual growth, and
impact for Jesus Christ.
3. It also points to what happened to Israel,
which is described in Ch 10. (see 10:5)
4. It reveals what can happen to any one of us
when we become sidetracked from our objective as believers which can be summarized by the phrase "whatever you
do, do all to the glory of God." 10:31