Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

The last word in 1 Corinthians 9 is adokimos. It is typically translated as disqualified. The KJV renders it as a castaway.  

Most commentators and most pastors understand Paul to be saying that if we do not persevere in faith and good works, we will be disqualified for kingdom entrance. In other words, we must persevere in order to avoid eternal condemnation.  

Fee, for example, writes: 

But does Paul actually mean that one can fail to obtain the prize? Some would say no, but usually because of a prior theological commitment, not because of what the text itself says. While it is true that in 10:13, after the severe warnings spelled out in vv. 1–12, he once again puts his confidence in God to “keep them,” it would be sheer folly to suggest thereby that the warnings are not real. Paul keeps warning and assurance in tension (1 Corinthians, p. 440).

Lenski agrees: “The fact that he is an apostle is not yet proof to him that he will be saved” (1-2 Corinthians, p. 388).  

Lange, Shaff, Kling, and Poor employ the same interpretation in their commentary: 

The reckless and listless Corinthians thought they could safely indulge themselves to the very verge of sin, while this devoted Apostle considered himself as engaged in a life-struggle for his salvation” (1 Corinthians, p. 196).

But Paul was sure that he was eternally secure. He said, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Tim 1:12). He said that he was an example of all who are going to “believe on Him for everlasting life” (1 Tim 1:16). He knew that his coworkers were found in the Book of Life (Phil 4:3), and he knew that he was as well.  

The word adokimos means disapproved. Paul knew he was approved at the time he wrote 1 Corinthians. But he also knew that it was not guaranteed that he would continue to run the race and fight the fight. He knew that he might lose Christ’s approval (e.g., Matt 24:45-51). He knew that His approval was an eternal rewards issue, not an eternal life issue.  

Lowery comments, “Here Paul was not addressing the issue of salvation” (“1 Corinthians” in BKC, p. 525).  

Hunt agrees: 

The apostle did not fear the loss of eternal life. He feared not having His Lord’s approval at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and not having the privilege of ruling with Christ which will come to all who have His approval (cf. Luke 19:17; 1 Cor 9:25) (“1 Corinthians” in TGNTC, p. 741).

At the end of Paul’s life, when he was about to be executed, he could say that he had fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith (2 Tim 4:6-8). He said that there was laid up for him a crown of righteousness, and that that crown was for “all who have loved His appearing.”  

In the summer of 1982, I asked Dr. Charles Ryrie to preach my ordination service. He agreed to do so. 

During the conversation, I told him how much I had enjoyed preaching every week for the previous four months. His response has always stuck with me: “Bob, I’m glad you have preached God’s Word faithfully these past four months. I hope, however, that you will still be able to say that forty years from now.” 

Well, I hit the forty-year mark in 2022.  

But guess what? I’m still called to persevere. My race is not over. It won’t be over till I draw my last breath.  

While eternal life is received the moment we believe in Christ and is secure forever, approval is received only by putting our faith to work, and approval can be lost.  

Now the challenge is this: Be faithful to confess Christ in word and deed until He returns.  

Our aim should be to maintain a standing of having His approval. We want to maximize our lives for Christ so that we will hear those blessed words, “Well done, good servant. Have authority over ten cities.”  

Keep grace in focus and you will continue to enjoy His approval.