Do you not know that those who run
in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you
may win. (1 Corinthians 9:24).
What does
Paul mean by this verse? Does Paul mean
that there is only one winner in the Christian race? Does he mean that there are ways to run to
win the race? What exactly is he trying
to teach the Christian?
Paul in describing the Christian race uses two
illustrations: The runner and the fighter. Two things should come to our mind;
both a runner and a fighter aim to win in the game, hence both can be liking to
Christianity "fighting the good
fight of faith'' (2 Timothy 2:3; 1 Timothy 6:12).
