Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries
The Greek games as an analogy for angelic observation. Pastor Joe Sugrue.
Friday, February 23, 2007
1PE 1:12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven — things into which angels long to look.
God the HS is entreating every believer who lacks His wisdom to be motivated by how important their life is. If it wasn’t important then why would angels be rubber-necking to see it?
1CO 4:9 For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.
“ouk” [not] plus the perfect active indicative of oida, oidate = to know or to see.
With ouk the perfect tense means that the Corinthians have not known with the result that they continue to be ignorant of God’s wisdom.
“the prize” to brabeion = the victor’s prize which only one could receive.
PHI 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
PHI 3:10 that I may come to know Him, and the power of [behind] His resurrection and the participation of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
PHI 3:11 if, in some way, I may attain to the resurrection away from the dead ones.
“ that you may win” is hina plus the aorist active subjunctive of katalambanoo, which is katalabeete = to win or to attain.
PHI 3:12 Not that I have already obtained it [the resurrection life or the ultra supergrace status], or have already reached the objective, but I continue pressing on that I may attain [katalambano] that [or overtake that, or gain that, arrive at the objective] on account of which I was overtaken by Christ Jesus.
“competes in the games” is ho agoonizomenos, which is a common verb for contest in the athletic games.
1TI 6:12 Fight (agoonizomai) the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2TI 4:7-8 I have fought (agoonizomai) the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
“exercises self-control in all things” is panta engkrateuetai, from egkratees, a common adjective for one who controls himself.
Training for ten months was required under the direction of trained judges, which are analogous to the pastor teacher.
The number ten is used as it refers to the number of completion in numerology. When you are fully trained God in His perfect timing will put you into the arena to compete.
PHI 3:10 that I may come to know Him, and the power of [behind] His resurrection and the participation of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
“wreath” is stefanos, which was a wreath or a garland that was put upon the head as a badge of victory in the games.
The crown of righteousness, the crown of life, the crown of glory, the crown of rejoicing, and the incorruptible crown.
“as not beating the air”. A boxer did this when practicing without an adversary and this was called “shadow-fighting.”
Shadow boxing is like taking in doctrine, metabolizing it, but not applying it.
“buffet” is the present active indicative of hupopiazo, which means to strike someone on the face (under the eyes) in such a way that he gets a “black eye” and is disfigured as a result. (Kittle; Theological Dictionary of the New Testament).
“It is like the horses in a chariot race, which must be kept well in hand by whip and rein if the prize is to be secured”
(A.T. Robertson).
Paul found good as the outcome of this self-discipline (2 Cor 12:7; ROM 8:13; COL 2:23; 3:5).
ROM 8:13
for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
“preached” is the aorist active participle of keerussoo, which is keeruxas = to preach.
A keerux at the games announced the rules of the game and called out the competitors.
“disqualified” is adokimos. Literally, “I myself should become rejected.”
Adokimos is an old adjective used of metals, coin, and soil. Metals would be tested for purity and either accepted or rejected.
1Pet. 1:7 that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
“tested” present middle participle – dokimazo to test the purity of a metal.
dokimos, to pass the test of purity, and adokimos, to fail the test of purity.
FeS(s) + H2O(l)