Rules in the Game of life
INTRO
CONTEXT
Basic summary of the Corinthian church
The Corinthians loved athletics. They sponsored the biannual Isthmian Games, which were second in importance only to the Olympic Games. They held these games only ten miles from Corinth, so most people in Corinth would have been familiar with the goals and practices of the games. They also would have had the opportunity to observe these games. Paul was in Corinth in A.D. 50–52, so he would have been present for the Isthmian Games held in the spring of A.D. 51.
The games included six events: wrestling, jumping, javelin and discus throwing, and, most importantly for Paul’s analogy, racing and boxing. Competitors in the Olympic Games were required to train for at least ten months before the games in order to qualify for participation. It is possible that a similar requirement existed for the Isthmian Games, which may explain Paul’s references to strict training and disqualification. Winners received crowns either of pine or of celery, both perishable materials.
The Corinthians loved athletics. They sponsored the biannual Isthmian Games, which were second in importance only to the Olympic Games.
Basic summary of the Corinthian church
Paul founded the church at Corinth between AD 50 and 52.
This letter is written from Ephesus a year or two later.
The Christians at Corinth are proud, lively, gifted and quarrelsome. They live in a society which is pagan and immoral, and this seeps into their behaviour. They also argue among themselves about the status of their leaders and the value of their spiritual gifts.
Paul writes to tackle these problems. In doing so he gives us valuable teaching about the church as the body of Christ, and the prime importance of love.
“Culture is the response mechanism in society.”
“Culture and society is governed by rules.”
RULES in culture
27 oBut I discipline my body and pbring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become qdisqualified.
Christ example
CHRIST’ RULES
THE CHRISTIAN RULES OF LIFE
CATCH: THE INVITATION
The Most Toys
You have seen the bumper sticker: “The one who dies with the most toys wins!” What a sad description of life. Yet, in the day-to-day affairs of our lives, we often live by the principle: get everything you can get out of life. There is some value in this principle. It motivates us to work hard and to plan for success. Yet, as Christians we are called upon to think in another way as well: give all you can give to life. In some ways, “The one who dies with the least toys wins!”—so long as he has given them in service to others.
This passage brings this perspective to bear on our relationships with other people, especially fellow believers. We should not seek our own rights and privileges but the good of others.
CLOSING TEXT
IT BRINGS THE CHALLENGE of consistency of life and of receiving our Saviour’s ‘Well done’ (vv. 24–27). Paul thinks of himself as an athlete in a race with a glorious prize before him. Corinth was host to the Isthmian Games, similar to the Olympic Games. If, when the Games were on, you saw someone with a garland of flowers or palm leaves upon his head—the equivalent of a medal—you knew that you were looking at a winner. But that ‘crown’ was certain to decay. Paul looked for ‘a crown that will last for ever’ (v. 25) and especially the crown of his Master’s approval (Luke 19:11–27). That objective demanded self-control and self-discipline on his part. Often his body might have argued for a different way of life suggesting that he should have sought material comforts and benefits. His decision was that his body should be his slave no matter what the cost. He knew that only what is done in the interests of our Lord Jesus Christ’s kingdom will last.
LET US BE LIKE CHARLES WESLEY and say from our hearts:
Happy if with my latest breath
I might but gasp his name,
Preach him to all, and cry in death,
Behold, behold the Lamb!5
