******1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The Conditioning in Discipleship

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 (NRSV)

24 Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. 25 Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. 26 So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; 27 but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.

Over the past several weeks we have been discussing discipleship and what the Scripture reveals about being a disciple of Christ. I am convinced the Lord desires every believer to be a disciple, but discipleship is not immediate following salvation. Some live for years following salvation and yet never fully surrender to the Lord and His will for their lives. One thing is certain: if we are to be a disciple, a learner and follower of Christ, we must be willing to submit to His leadership in our lives and follow His divine direction. I think you will agree, based on our previous studies, that discipleship is not for the faint of heart or unprepared. Being a genuine follower of Christ requires commitment, sacrifice, and preparation. Our Christian journey is never referred to as a life of ease, but often a battle in which we are engaged. The enemy seeks to defeat and oppose every believer who determines to follow the Lord. Paul understood the struggles of discipleship and the conditioning required to be successful. Our text today is familiar to the Bible student, and it is a great passage to consider regarding discipleship.

Paul uses a competitive race to illustrate the believer’s walk, conditioning, and preparation to endure and finish the race we are engaged in for Christ. Let’s examine the observations of Paul as we consider:

The Conditioning in Discipleship.

I. The Ambition Required (24) – Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. Paul discusses the ambition of a disciple of Christ. Consider:

A. The Participation (24a) – Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Really this should be apparent to each of us, but I fear we fail to comprehend the urgency of our time. Every runner in the race is expected to run if they have any chance of obtaining the prize. Merely contemplating running or dreaming of a prize will never provide success. If one is to obtain the prize, and win the race, he must be engaged in the race.

 This is also true in our efforts for the Lord. We cannot expect to be effective disciples if we are not engaged in service to the Lord. Simply being aware of people who need the Lord, or those who need someone to come alongside them in support, is never enough. We will never become devoted disciples of Christ is we are not following Him, actively walking with the Lord and pursuing His will for our lives. If you want to be an effective disciple, you must enter the race!

2 B. The Prize (24a) – Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Paul also reveals the reward for finishing the race in first place. There is a prize awarded to the victor. In the games to which Paul referred, many would enter the race, and run the race, but only one would receive the prize. If they were to have any hope of winning the prize, they had to prepare for the race, enter the race, and endure until the end.

 Our Christian journey for the Lord is not a “winner take all” race. We are all running the same race, and yet it is possible for every believer to obtain a prize. We are not in competition with each other, but we must all pursue the prize. What is the prize?

First and foremost, when we run in obedience, we glorify the Lord.

Second, we have the opportunity to win those who have yet to receive Christ. Third, we have the privilege of investing in fellow believers and strengthening the body of Christ. These treasures are eternal. Being obedient in service to the Lord may not pay much in this life, but there is an eternal reward waiting for the faithful.

C. The Pursuit (24b) – So run, that ye may obtain. This is simple, yet profound. There is a prize to win, but it will never be obtained by those who fail to enter the race. Paul urged the Corinthians to pursue the prize, to run in order to obtain!

 There are a lot of races being run today, but few seek to obtain an eternal prize. Most have temporal ambitions for material things, but few are committed to serving the Lord. In fact, regarding service for the Lord, most are content to be spectators rather than pursuing the prize themselves. They are content to watch others run for the Lord, but fail to get involved. If we are to be effective disciples, we must pursue the Lord and His will for our lives!

II. The Affection Revealed (25) – And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. Here Paul discusses the passion of the runner, his commitment to winning the race. Consider:

A. The Discipline (25a) – And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. This reveals the determination and disciplined commitment of every serious runner. Striving literally speaks of being in agony, pushing until exhausted. The mastery speaks of the struggle, the competition, or fight in which one is engaged. Being temperate speaks of self-restraint. This reveals the discipline of the runner. He makes every effort to be successful, preparing himself mentally, physically, and emotionally to endure the difficulty of the race.

 Successful athletes train relentlessly for success. They are constantly practicing, pushing themselves to reach greater heights. They are disciplined in their diet, avoiding foods and practices that hinder their success. As believers we must be active in service to the Lord daily. We must feed on the Word of God, ensuring our spiritual health and strength. A disciple who lacks discipline will not be an effective servant and will eventually abandon the race.

B. The Desire (25b) – Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. Paul used a runner as an illustration, but he wanted to emphasize the difference in the desires. The worldly runner sought to obtain a physical crown, a trophy or prize of earthly value. These might bring satisfaction and momentary praise, but they would not endure for eternity. Eventually the trophy would lose its luster or the runner would spend the prize earnings. These corruptible crowns would not bring lasting satisfaction and they lacked eternal value.

 Little value or emphasis is placed on serving the Lord in our day. Few see the importance of a life lived for Christ. Paul assures us that commitment to the Lord holds eternal value. The pleasures and compensations of life will eventually fade, but a genuine disciple has the potential to gain an incorruptible crown, an eternal reward in heaven. We have the privilege of sharing the Gospel of Christ with the unsaved. We have the honor of serving the Lord and investing in the lives of fellow believers. These acts bring satisfaction to the believer in this life and eternal reward in heaven. We must focus on the incorruptible crowns instead of being consumed with that which will fade away.

III. The Assurance Reflected (26) – I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air. Paul never implies our service to the Lord will be easy, but he reveals we can labor for Him with confident assurance. Notice:

A. The Confidence (26a) – I therefore so run, not as uncertainly. Bear in mind Paul is referring to a race with many competitors. He is running against those who seek to hinder him, striving to prevent a successful finish. He was well aware of the competition, but he was also confident in the Lord’s ability to equip him to endure. He was not running in uncertainty, but in full confidence and assurance.

 The race of discipleship is tough. There are struggles along the way and a determined adversary who seeks to sideline every runner for Christ. Our lives and service will never be void of these, but we too can run with certainty. We are not asked to serve the Lord in our own ability. We are not depending on mere human strength and wisdom. We have the power and guidance of the Spirit working on our behalf. We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us! If He has called you to it, He will bring you through it!

B. The Concentration (26b) – so fight I, not as one that beateth the air. Here Paul switches to a boxer as an illustration. He knew his service to Christ guaranteed a continual fight. He would stand against the enemy with the same confidence he had while running the race. He was focused on his opponent, not throwing wasteful punches in the air. He knew the target and was determined to engage the enemy, by the help of the Lord. He refused to allow the enemy to divert his focus through engaging in pointless endeavors or struggles. Paul chose his battles carefully and was well prepared when he stepped up to fight.

 Discipleship requires this type of concentration and discipline. The enemy would like to keep us so busy with pointless skirmishes that we fail to accomplish anything of value. We must continually prepare ourselves for the fight we are engaged in, while making every effort count. Time is too short and lives are at stake. We must determine to make our efforts effective through the help of the Lord. We are not here for show or man’s applause, but to serve the risen Lord and His church.

IV. The Abstinence Required (27) – 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. Paul was also aware of the temptations he faced and the weakness of the flesh. He knew he must refrain from certain activities while constantly submitting to the Lord’s will. Consider:

A. The Discipline (27a) – But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection. We have considered much that requires discipline. Being an effective disciple requires constant discipline. Paul knew the sinful tendencies within the flesh. In order to experience victory, he had to bring his body in submission to Christ. He could not follow the desires of the flesh and be effective in serving the Lord. He refused to be controlled by his desires.

 Becoming a genuine disciple of Christ is a natural progression for the believer. We will never become a true disciple of Christ until we learn to control the appetites of the flesh. This body of flesh in which we dwell is our greatest hindrance. We must be willing to submit every area of our lives to the Lord if we are to serve Him. There can be nothing off limits. We cannot refuse to deal with specific areas that hinder us. Discipleship requires total abandon of the flesh and complete surrender to Christ!

B. The Disgrace (27b) – lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. Paul started well and he was determined to finish well. He had encountered many who had abandoned the faith or brought disgrace to the Lord and His church. Paul understood what the flesh was capable of, and he feared failing the Lord. He was determined to keep his life in subjection to the Lord in order to avoid becoming a disgrace.

 That spoke volumes to me. Perceived hypocrisy is likely the greatest hindrance to the church. We cannot be an effective witness to the Lord, or serve Him in power, if our lives are lived according to the desires of the flesh. We can’t win others to Christ or encourage another believer with unconfessed sin in our lives. I started well and I want to finish well. I too understand what I am capable of apart from the help and grace of the Lord. You know your weaknesses and sinful tendencies. If we are to become fishers of men, we must be willing to crucify the flesh. You can destroy a life time of effort and influence in a single moment of sinful activity.

Conclusion: I mentioned that the Lord never promised following Him would be easy. Being a disciple of Christ requires constant conditioning.

We must be willing to prepare for the race, and run the race in order to obtain the prize. If we are to be successful, we must deny the flesh as we seek sanctification in Christ. How are you preparing to serve the Lord? Are you putting forth any effort? Does being an effective disciple ever cross your mind? Are you battling the flesh, constantly giving in to that one besetting sin? If so, come to Christ and find direction and help to run effectively. If you have never repented of sin and received salvation, respond to Him by faith.

Great Discipline Required, 9:24–27)

(9:24–27) Introduction: this passage is one of the great challenges of Scripture, a challenge that every minister and believer should memorize and keep ever before their minds. Paul is still giving an inside look into his heart and ministry, how he viewed the Christian life and ministry. But this passage is unique in its description, for it describes Paul’s feelings about the Christian life in terms of athletes, the runner and the boxer. No true minister or Christian believer can approach the Christian life with a flabby attitude. No genuine Christian can indulge the body and its lusts and expect to win the incorruptible crown of the Christian life.

Corinth was known for the Isthmian Games which were second only to the Olympic Games of the Grecian and Roman world. Therefore, everyone in the Corinthian church knew the point Paul was making.

Dramatically, Paul says that the Christian minister and the Christian believer can be compared to athletes. Shockingly, he says that a true minister and a true believer of the Lord is to live a life just as disciplined as an Olympic athlete. He actually says that we are to keep our bodies under control just as much as the athlete. Closely observe his points.

1. He enters the race to run and win—to secure the prize (v. 24).

2. He is strict in discipline and training—controlling himself (v. 25).

3. He runs to obtain an incorruptible, eternal crown (v. 25).

4. He runs and fights with certainty and without distraction (v. 26).

5. He masters his own body (v. 27).

6. He guards against disqualification (v. 27).

1 (9:24) Christian Race—Minister: the minister or believer enters the Christian race and he enters to win. In the athletic contest every runner enters the race for one purpose only: to win. However, only one receives the prize; there is only one winner. The believer enters the Christian race for one purpose only: to win. Therefore, he strains in running to obtain the prize. Nothing is acceptable except running and running hard:

→ Walking fast is unacceptable.

→ Jogging is unacceptable.

→ Lagging behind is unacceptable.

→ Showing little concern for the finish line is unacceptable.

The point is this: the minister and layman alike must run as diligently as the runner at the Olympic Games. The believer must put out the same kind of vigorous effort in order to reach the finish line. He must be vigorous and diligent; he must persist in the Christian race.

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” (1 Co. 9:24).

“Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” (Ga. 5:7).

“Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain” (Ph. 2:16).

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Ph. 3:14).

2 (9:25) Christian Race—Discipline—Body: the minister (believer) strenuously disciplines and controls himself. Every runner and boxer is highly disciplined in body, mind, thought, spirit, exercise, workouts, and contests. He is disciplined …

• in body: what he eats and how much he eats

• in mind and thought: his concentration on the goal and how to best gear his body, spirit, and mind to that end

• in spirit: in keeping his spirit strong and motivated for the strain necessary to work out day by day and to reach his goal

The minister or believer is to do no less. He must be just as disciplined as the athlete. The word striveth (agonizomai) means agony. He disciplines himself to the point of pain. And note: the discipline covers “all things.” It covers his body, mind, and spirit, the place where God’s presence actually dwells. Therefore, he does not allow anything to touch or enter his body that is corrupt, impure, polluted, or that will cause a more rapid deterioration of the temple.

a. The minister or believer controls his body. His body is actually the temple of the Holy Spirit.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Ro. 12:1–2).

3 (9:25) Christian Race—Minister: the minister or believer runs to obtain an incorruptible crown. The runners in an athletic contest run to obtain a passing fame and a corruptible crown or trophy. The athletes in Paul’s day ran for a crown or wreath of olive or pine leaves. Their fame and crown were the same as with our athletes: they both passed ever so quickly. However, the crown and fame of the genuine Christian runner will never pass away. His crown and fame are incorruptible. He shall live and be rewarded with an eternal fame and with the most real and valued crowns imaginable.

“And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible” (1 Co. 9:25).

4 (9:26) Christian Race—Minister: the minister or believer runs and fights with certainty and without distraction. Effort is necessary, effort that sacrifices and strains to the point of hurting. But note: he is just like the runner. He runs with certainty and without distraction. He knows where the track is; he knows where the lines on the track are, and where the finish line is. He is not uncertain:

→ sometimes keenly aware of the race, other times not so sure

→ sometimes active, other times inactive

→ sometimes practicing, other times laying out

→ sometimes controlling, other times indulging

→ sometimes staying in the lines, other times moving out

→ sometimes keeping his eyes on the finish line, other times glancing away

Note the second example. He is like a boxer. He knows where the ring is, and he knows his opponent. Therefore, he does not beat the air as a boxer who misses his target. He is not just swinging wildly, hoping to hit the mark. He does not walk out of the ring in the middle of the fight; he stays in and fights. He does not glance away; he keeps his eyes on the target. He knows the mark and the target, so his punches are planned, deliberate, controlled, and accurate. The Christian (minister and layman) knows he is in a spiritual warfare; therefore, he is fighting to conquer and to win the incorruptible prize.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (2 Co. 10:4).

5 (9:27) Christian Race—Minister: the Christian minister or believer is not to be controlled by his body; he is to control his body. How? By simply not giving in to it—by denying the body whatever it craves. It is tough at first, but a person can do it by simply not giving in even if beads of sweat pop out. A person can do it by refusing to give in, by not doing it no matter the pain—by doing exactly what the disciplined athlete does. And in a few days or weeks the most glorious thing happens: the body is conquered, brought under control. The athletes and consistent exercisers of the world know this. Therefore, no minister or believer will ever be excused for not disciplining his body.

The minister or believer masters his own body. The phrase “keep under” means to bruise, to beat back. Paul says he literally beats back his body and its cravings in order to bring it into subjection. The word subjection (doulagogo) means to enslave, to lead about as a slave.

Thought 1. What wonderful discipline—discipline so often sought after! How desperately we need to learn from Paul!

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Lu. 9:23).

6 (9:27) Castaway—Christian Race—Minister: the minister or believer guards against disqualification. Note two facts.

a. Paul was concerned that his life measure up to his preaching. He feared that he might fail to live what he preached. This is what he means by being disqualified. Note exactly what he says:

“Lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

Paul knew the utter necessity to live what he preached. He knew that the Lord would not tolerate hypocrisy, not in the pulpit, not in the ministry of the gospel, not in the persons whom He had chosen to be the ministers of His people. They were to preach righteousness, and they were to live righteously, live exactly what they preached.

Paul knew that the Lord just would not allow false profession from His ministers, not for long, not without stern chastisement and judgment coming upon the servant who was living a hypocritical life.

“Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles [unbelievers] through you, as it is written” (Ro. 2:21–24).

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Mt. 7:21).

“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Mk. 7:6).

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Tit. 1:16).

“And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues” (Ps. 78:35–36).

b. The judgment or chastisement feared by Paul was that of being a castaway. The word castaway (adokimos) means reprobate, rejected, disqualified, disapproved, unfit, failing to stand the test. What does Paul mean? Most writers think that Paul is referring to salvation, that when he comes to the end of the race, he sees the possibility of being rejected—if he has not lived what he has preached to others. The very fact that most writers understand Paul to be dealing with salvation speaks loudly and clearly to all ministers of the gospel: we must heed the Scripture.

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Tit. 2:12–13).

Now, what does Paul mean? Five things are sure about Paul’s teaching in Scripture.

First, Paul definitely pictured himself in a life-long struggle for salvation. The great Greek scholar A.T. Robertson says that Paul alone uses the Greek word adokimos in a moral sense in the New Testament, and Paul definitely says that he subjects his body and keeps it under control lest he be a castaway. Look at Paul’s use of the word. It stands as a beneficial warning to us all—to live what we preach, and profess and live it with the utmost diligence and effort (Word Pictures in the New Testament, Vol.4. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1931, p. 150).

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate [adokimos] mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Ro. 1:28).

“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 [adokimos]” (1 Co. 9:27).

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates [adokimos]? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates” (2 Co. 13:5–7).

“Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate [adokimos] concerning the faith” (2 Ti. 3:8).

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate [adokimos]” (Tit. 1:16).

Second, Paul definitely pictured himself as having to struggle against sin throughout life, and he struggled against sin for two reasons:

→ to attain to the resurrection of the dead

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.… If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Ph. 3:8, 11; see vv. 7–15).

→ to conquer the flesh

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts” (Ga. 5:16–24).

Third, Paul was perfectly assured of his salvation; he was perfectly assured that he would run the race and run it well. He was persuaded of two things:

→ that nothing in heaven or earth, in fact, nothing present and nothing to come, could ever separate him from the love of God

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?… For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ro. 8:35, 38–39).

→ that the Lord was able to keep him until the day of redemption

“I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Ti. 1:12).

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Ro. 8:29).

“But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil” (2 Th. 3:3; see 1 Pe. 1:5; Jude 24; Re. 3:10).

Fourth, Paul was convinced that only those who walked in the Spirit and were committed to a deadly struggle against sin were saved and given the absolute assurance of their salvation (see outlines and notes—Ro. 8:1–17).

Fifth, Paul was not perfect, and he confessed the fact, confessing that he was far from perfect. Therefore, until he was made perfect, he was going to struggle, follow, press, and strive for perfection; that is, to be conformed to the image of Christ.

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus [to be conformed to His image, conformed to perfection]” (Ph. 3:12–14).

Now, having studied all this, one thing needs to be observed about what Paul has said.

→ Paul was perfectly assured of his salvation and of God’s power to keep him safe until the day of redemption.

→ But at the same time Paul was deeply conscious of a deadly struggle against sin.

Paul’s point is clear and easily seen: it is the minister or lay believer who is carnal, hypocritical, complacent, self-indulgent, fleshly, worldly, and prideful who has doubts and has to suppress and ignore his doubts. The believer who is assured of his salvation is constantly aware that the proof of his salvation is fruit or good works. He knows that if his life is not genuine, then he not only can be, but he will be disqualified, counted useless, put on the shelf, and cast away. Therefore, he runs and runs the race of the Christian life, and he runs to win. He keeps his body under control. (See DEEPER STUDY # 1–1 Jn. 5:16 for more discussion.)

“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good frut; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit” (Mt. 7:16–17).

“But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold” (Mt. 13:8).

“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (Jn. 15:2).

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5).

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.… But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (Js. 2:17, 20).

“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (Js. 2:24).