1 Corinthians 9:27

but. buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that. have preached to others,. myself should be rejected.

'but. buffet my body' -'to beat black and blue' (Robertson p. 149)

'In dealing with his body, he doesn't deliver pats, he delivers hard stunning blows...He's talking here of being master over his body's lawful desires..he's urging them to so master themselves..that their rights and liberties will not become their lord.' (McGuiggan p. 132)

'and bring it into bondage' -'and make it my slave, i.e. make it serve my purposes in the gospel.' (Fee p. 439)

'I myself should be rejected' -i.e. disqualified because he broke the rules of the race. (Matthew 7:22) 'I myself should fail shamefully of the prize.' (Con)

Points to Note:

1. Paul believed that he could forfeit his own salvation, if he became. selfish and complacent man who demanded his rights in every circumstance.

2. 'Very certainly we cannot serve others until we have mastered ourselves; we cannot teach what we do not know; we cannot bring others to Christ until we ourselves have found Him..' (Barclay p. 96)

3. Colossians 2:23 informs us that we are not to literally beat ourselves.

4. 'He speaks about one who makes the correct announcement but fails to absorb. vital part of that announcement in his own life and actions.' (Lenski p. 387)