8 July | Youth
«Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.» 1 Corinthians 9:26
In his letters, the apostle Paul frequently used sporting imagery, especially when addressing the Greeks. At that time, the Olympic games were known throughout the Greco-Roman empire.
Knowing this, Paul used metaphors to get closer to the readers' reality and make connections with spiritual aspects (1 Tim 6:12). In today's verse, the image used by Paul is that of a boxer in the ring, another competition widely practiced in those days, called pugilato. The gloves used were not like those we see in boxing today; they were generally made from strips of cowhide and sometimes reinforced with metal plates or pointed protrusions. Have you ever imagined getting hit with a glove like that? Due to injuries, it was common for fighters to die in the ring.
By saying that he did not throw punches in the air, Paul demonstrated that he did not go easy on his opponent even for an instant. Each blow was strong, accurate and fatal. As his enemy was always present, he must be dealt with firmly. Do you know who his opponent was? His own sinful nature. He was his own enemy! Paul wrote: “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Cor 9:27).
Paul was aware of his tendencies and his bad desires. Punching the body and reducing it to slavery means developing strict discipline against one's fleshly desires, subjecting them to God through Christ (2 Cor 10:3-5). This involves total renunciation of self. For Paul, the only solution was to submit his will to the will of Christ. He wrote: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20).
Paul was sure that he would be victorious in his struggles, through Jesus. At the end of his life, he wrote: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim 4:7, 8).
And you, dear youth? Have you managed to overcome your sinful tendencies, or have you been punching the air? If you let Christ dwell in your heart, you will certainly win this fight by knockout!