Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 174
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PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS . 167 the games . He drew a contrastbetween this preparation and its consequences, and the selfindulgentlifeof the CorinthianChristians,who had matters of eternal interestat stake, and neededthefulleststrengthof body and mind in order to come off victorious . He showed them thatheretoforetheircoursehad been highlycensurable;fornoteven anxietyforspiritualhealth and the honor of the gospelcould induce them to deny thecravingsofappetiteand passion. In theindulgenceof depravedappetitestheyhad even united with the heathen in theiridolatrousfestivals, thus endangeringthe faithof thosenewly convertedfrom idolatry. Paul counselsthem to firmlycontroltheiranimal passions and appetites. The body, the master-pieceof God's workmanship, like a perfectand wellstringedinstrument, must be keptinsoundness, inordertoproduceharmoniousaction. He says that unlesshe shouldput in practicehis own exhortations,by strivingfor the mastery over self,observingtemperanceinallthings,he would, afterpreaching to others,himselfbecome a castaway . The apostledeclaresthathe did not run in the Christianraceuncertainly,thatis,indifferently, willingtobe leftbehind; neitherdidhe fightas thepugilistpracticespriorto the fray,beating theairwith empty blows, having no opponent. But as,when in actual conflict,he contends for themastery,overcomeshisantagonistby repeated and well-directedblows,beatshim totheground, and holdshim theretillhe acknowledgeshimself conquered, so did the apostlefightagainstthe temptationsof Satanand theevilpropensitiesof the carnal nature .