What is this scritpture?

Question

It is one of Jesus follower and he speaks of "pumbling his body and leading as a slave." Though not ment literal, does anyone else relate to this scritpure? If so, how? Very interest in JW's answers.

I really was'nt thinking of it as talking about sexual desire, but in really every bad thing done, cursing, lies-halftruths, ect. All that is imperfect in me.

Answer 1

Likening a Christian’s life course to a race, or a contest, the apostle Paul said: “Do you not know that the runners in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may attain it. Moreover, every man taking part in a contest exercises self-control in all things. Now they, of course, do it that they may get a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible one. Therefore, the way I am running is not uncertainly; the way I am directing my blows is so as not to be striking the air; but I pummel my body and lead it as a slave, that, after I have preached to others, I myself should not become disapproved somehow.”—1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

The prize can go only to those who finish the race successfully. In the race for life, abuse of alcohol, sexual immorality, strife, envy, and many other vices can prevent us from reaching the finish line. We must exercise self-control. Running with certainty requires that we do not indulge in “excesses with wine”, loose conduct, or anything else that goes against God's law. (Galatians 5:19-21) On the contrary, we need to exercise self-control in all things.
Being imperfect, we all have to get tough with ourselves from time to time. Our inclination is toward what is bad (Genesis 8:21) We have to go against the tide, so to speak in order to practice righteousness,

Answer 2

Greek and Explanation 1 Corinthians 9:27.

I will not go into how badly mangled some of this is translated and misunderstood. Some poor folks just cannot see!

all(a) - and so (or "therefore")
hupopiazo - bring a halt to (physically but "used as a metaphor")
mou - of me, mine, my
to - this, that, he, it, she
soma - the body (used of slaves as "just a body to do work or service")
kai - and, but, for, so
doulagogeo - to subdue, control (bring under control)
mepos - perhaps, somehow
alloi - else, moreover, otherwise
kerusso - proclaim, publish, herald, preaching
auto - my, mine, of self, of the self, by it's self
adokimos - rejected, reprobate, unapproved, worthless
ginomai - to become, will, would, be wrought
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Simple version

And so I bring my body into control, otherwise somehow that this (my) preaching would be of a reprobate (mind).
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Explanation

Paul is saying his thoughts and body have "base" desires but he controls (actually - cuts these off immediately) this lest he steps into being unapproved (for preaching/teaching).
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Paul was honest about his humanity. This being that he was not perfect.

"hit under the eye" - means: to pinpoint and cut off immediately
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Verse 26

9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

The other translation version uses "blows or pummel" like blows upon the body. This is not what Paul means in v.26 He means his endeavours are not chasing air(emptiness). - beating air is chasing emptiness - not self abuse.

Answer 3

Cut off the thinking when it comes to mind.

When you are beginning to think of a lie, an excuse, a justification - stop - recognize this and do not do it.

Either you choose to be a Christian or you choose to be of the world (flesh, carnal).

A Christian is under the discipline of Christ. This means we are after a much higher goal than the things of the world and of the flesh.

This is not a vain or empty goal. But it is a very difficult Way, it is narrow and hard.

Answer 4

Paul told us his secret to success: “I pummel my body and lead it as a slave, that, after I have preached to others, I myself should not become disapproved somehow.” (1 Corinthians 9:27) Like Paul, we too must gain the mastery over our imperfect flesh rather than allow it to be our master. We need to root out fleshly tendencies, longings, and desires. (Romans 8:5-8) Doing so can be painful, since the word translated “pummel” literally means ‘hit under the eye’ (Kingdom Interlinear). Is it not, though, better to suffer a black eye, as it were, and live than to give in to the desires of the fallen flesh and die?

Paul ‘got tough’ with himself. So, too, rather than let your bodily desires dominate, anticipate situations that will excite sexual feelings and deliberately avoid them. For instance, you know what will happen to your bodily desires if you read books and watch TV programs and movies that glorify sex. Hence, avoid these like the plague!

Dating (where socially acceptable) when you are not ready for marriage, certain types of dancing, parties with no chaste direction and where couples can pair off, all work up the “sexual appetite.” So avoid them and “deaden, therefore, your body members . . . as respects fornication, uncleanness, sexual appetite.”—Col. 3:5.

We need to get 'tough with ourselves' as Paul was with himself. It may not be easy, but with Jehovah's help, we will succeed.

Answer 5

Paul was referring to keeping the DESIRES of his body under subjection so that the life of Christ would be manifest through the indwelling Holy Spirit.