Could Paul be disqualified?

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JohnR7

JohnR7

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#1
"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." (1Cor9:27)

Is it really possible that after preaching to others Paul himself could be disqualified? Clearly Paul was preaching and teaching the truth. So this can not be a reference to false teachers.
 
exegete

exegete

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Dec 23, 2018
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My Tiny Apartment
#2
On the surface, Paul may be saying that since he "talks the talk" it is important that he "walk the walk" and that is certainly one way to take it. How many contemporary pastors/evangelists/etc have taken a downfall over not living up to a Godly lifestyle? However, that may not be what Paul is talking about here. I put in a link to some commentaries which expound on his use of the racing metaphor in the previous verses which may help to shed some light on this.

https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/9-27.htm
 
p_rehbein

p_rehbein

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JohnR7 said:
"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." (1Cor9:27)

Is it really possible that after preaching to others Paul himself could be disqualified? Clearly Paul was preaching and teaching the truth. So this can not be a reference to false teachers.
Click to expand...
Why can it not be a reference to false teachers? Paul was not a false teacher............

Matthew Henry Commentary:

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
(Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
The apostle compares himself to the racers and combatants in the Isthmian games, well known by the Corinthians. But in the Christian race all may run so as to obtain. There is the greatest encouragement, therefore, to persevere with all our strength, in this course. Those who ran in these games were kept to a spare diet. They used themselves to hardships. They practised the exercises. And those who pursue the interests of their souls, must combat hard with fleshly lusts. The body must not be suffered to rule. The apostle presses this advice on the Corinthians. He sets before himself and them the danger of yielding to fleshly desires, pampering the body, and its lusts and appetites. Holy fear of himself was needed to keep an apostle faithful: how much more is it needful for our preservation! Let us learn from hence humility and caution, and to watch against dangers which surround us while in the body.

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0g...b=46&c=9/RK=2/RS=_bs9gVkK4NyhiZa2AhLU.GzSkPk-
 
M

MattforJesus

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Apr 15, 2017
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JohnR7 said:
"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." (1Cor9:27)

Is it really possible that after preaching to others Paul himself could be disqualified? Clearly Paul was preaching and teaching the truth. So this can not be a reference to false teachers.
Click to expand...
1Co 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1Co 9:27 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.

adokimos
ad-ok'-ee-mos
From G1 (as a negative particle) and G1384; unapproved, that is, rejected; by implication worthless (literally or morally): - castaway, rejected, reprobate.

Paul said if he did not keep under his body, and bring it in to subjection, which is to abstain from sin then he would be rejected and considered a reprobate.

But of course Paul is saved and made it to heaven but he is saying that our lifestyle to be Christlike by the Spirit will ensure our salvation not only saying I am a Christian but being doers not only hearers.

Many people do not allow the Spirit to lead them and hold unto sin and believe they still have salvation.

But even if we are led of the Spirit we still have the possibility to sin if we want and if we do sin we get rid of it and move forward.

Which those that are led of the Spirit if they sin will repent and get rid of it and move forward, where those without the Spirit will hold unto sin and believe they still have salvation.

Which they are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof, from such turn away, ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Paul said a Spirit led life will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh for they have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts, and show the ways of the Spirit and not the flesh.

And God will not allow them to be tempted above what they can handle and will give them an escape from the temptation so they can bear it so there is no excuse why a person cannot abstain from sin.

Paul said love is greater than faith, and faith works by love, and love is the fulfilling of the law, which love does not think an evil thought, and does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the truth.

Which the Lord know them which are His having this seal that everyone that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

And awake to righteousness and sin not but some do not have the knowledge of God.
 
Dave-L

Dave-L

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Jan 17, 2020
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#5
JohnR7 said:
"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." (1Cor9:27)

Is it really possible that after preaching to others Paul himself could be disqualified? Clearly Paul was preaching and teaching the truth. So this can not be a reference to false teachers.
Click to expand...
We only are sure of our salvation by the fruit we bear. No good works = flesh = not saved. Good works of love = evidence of salvation (New Birth).
 
PennEd

PennEd

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Apr 22, 2013
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Salvation is not a prize to be won. It is a gift from God.
We always think in Salvation in linear terms. Your either in or you’re out. But MUCH more accompanys Salvation.

Paul understood eternity, and wrote of the judgement seat of Christ, where eternal rewards, and LOSS (disqualification) of rewards would occur.
 
E

EleventhHour

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#7
Dave-L said:
We only are sure of our salvation by the fruit we bear. No good works = flesh = not saved. Good works of love = evidence of salvation (New Birth).
Click to expand...
We trust in the promises and word of God and do not look to ourselves for proof.
 
E

EleventhHour

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#8
PennEd said:
Salvation is not a prize to be won. It is a gift from God.
We always think in Salvation in linear terms. Your either in or you’re out. But MUCH more accompanys Salvation.

Paul understood eternity, and wrote of the judgement seat of Christ, where eternal rewards, and LOSS (disqualification) of rewards would occur.
Click to expand...
...and Paul was not looking to himself for proof of salvation but standing on the promises of God.
 
Kolistus

Kolistus

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Feb 3, 2020
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Yes the Apostle Paul could be disqualified from being his office.

Just like today if a Pastor is found out commiting adultery on his wife, he is out of office and can no longer preach to anyone with credibility.
Can he repent and be forgiven? Of course. Can he preach in churches like nothing happened? No, he is disqualified.
 
J

John146

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Jan 13, 2016
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JohnR7 said:
"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." (1Cor9:27)

Is it really possible that after preaching to others Paul himself could be disqualified? Clearly Paul was preaching and teaching the truth. So this can not be a reference to false teachers.
Click to expand...
Disqualified from preaching, the ministry.
 
Dave-L

Dave-L

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EleventhHour said:
We trust in the promises and word of God and do not look to ourselves for proof.
Click to expand...
Peter says “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” 2 Peter 1:10 (KJV 1900)

I believe the elect cannot be lost. But we can slide to a place of doubting our election.
 
E

EleventhHour

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#12
Dave-L said:
Peter says “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” 2 Peter 1:10 (KJV 1900)

I believe the elect cannot be lost. But we can slide to a place of doubting our election.
Click to expand...
I do not think he was telling us to look to ourselves for proof ...but to do those things that are profitable so that we do not fall into failure....as in not living the profitable Christian life.

Agree, definitely not about losing salvation.

If we doubt again we turn to God and His promises and Jesus our sure foundation...not our ourselves.
 
Dave-L

Dave-L

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EleventhHour said:
I do not think he was telling us to look to ourselves for proof ...but to do those things that are profitable so that we do not fall into failure....as in not living the profitable Christian life.

Agree, definitely not about losing salvation.

If we doubt again we turn to God and His promises and Jesus our sure foundation...not our ourselves.
Click to expand...
This is true but no fruit leaves little room for "Blessed Assurance"
 
E

EleventhHour

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#14
Dave-L said:
This is true but no fruit leaves little room for "Blessed Assurance"
Click to expand...
Define fruit...because it means different things in context of scripture?
 
mailmandan

mailmandan

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Apr 7, 2014
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PennEd said:
Salvation is not a prize to be won. It is a gift from God.
We always think in Salvation in linear terms. Your either in or you’re out. But MUCH more accompanys Salvation.

Paul understood eternity, and wrote of the judgement seat of Christ, where eternal rewards, and LOSS (disqualification) of rewards would occur.
Click to expand...
Amen! Paul said disqualified for the prize, not disqualified for the gift of eternal life. In context, Paul has been discussing preaching the gospel. In verse 18 he says, "What is my reward, then?" In verses 24-27 he illustrates this thought of his reward by the picture of a race run for the prize. Salvation is a gift that we receive by grace through faith, not a prize that we race for and earn.

Verse 24 settles the matter for me. 24 - Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. That sounds like running a race in the Olympics. All runners run but only one receives the gold medal. So what happens to the runners who receive the silver medal or bronze medal or finish the race with no medal? Are they disqualified from the Olympics or from the prize, receiving the gold medal?
 
A

Adstar

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Jul 24, 2016
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#17
JohnR7 said:
"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." (1Cor9:27)

Is it really possible that after preaching to others Paul himself could be disqualified? Clearly Paul was preaching and teaching the truth. So this can not be a reference to false teachers.
Click to expand...
Anyone who ceases to believe Jesus or ceases to trust in the Atonement Jesus secured for their salvation has been cast away because they have cast away their own salvation by coming to disbelieve..

So Paul could have been disqualified if he came to ever reject what He preached.. Now that was very very unlikely.. A person who has been knocked off his horse while traveling to Damascus and had Jesus speak to him in person is VERY unlikly to ever come to disbelieve.. But it was a technical possability..
 
oyster67

oyster67

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May 24, 2014
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EleventhHour said:
We trust in the promises and word of God and do not look to ourselves for proof.
Click to expand...
Matthew 7
7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
 
posthuman

posthuman

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Jul 31, 2013
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JohnR7 said:
"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." (1Cor9:27)

Is it really possible that after preaching to others Paul himself could be disqualified? Clearly Paul was preaching and teaching the truth. So this can not be a reference to false teachers.
Click to expand...
this is in the context of preaching to others -- it may not be his primary meaning, but it is so that those he preaches to would disqualify him in their own eyes if he were hypocritical in his life. wasn't he often accused of sin, and preaching sin, because He preached grace?

we all know how readily people dismiss what someone says because of what they do, no matter how true their words may be.
it's basically 'ad-hominem' argument, to reject a message on the basis of a flaw in the messenger, rather than on the grounds of the message itself. this is all over the 'not-by-works' thread: the constant accusation that teaching that we are saved by grace & mercy, not by things we have done or that we do, is encouraging lasciviousness. it is the same thing - instead of addressing the doctrine of grace, attack the works of the person saved by believing.
 
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