A Bible Illustration by Paxton

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 11, 1856

A Bible Illustration.

By Paxton

"I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air." 1 Cor. ix, 26.

In order to attain the greater agility and dexterity, it was usual for those who intended to box in the games, to exercise their arms with the gauntlet on, when they had no antagonist near them, in which a man would, of course beat the air. In the foot-race, the runners, of whatever number they were, ranged themselves in a line, after having drawn lots for their places. While they waited the signal to start, they practiced, by way of prelude, various motions to awaken their activity, to keep their limbs pliable, and in a right temper. They kept themselves breathing by small leaps, and making little excursions, which were a kind of trial of their speed and agility; in such exercises they might be said with great propriety to run uncertainly, toward no particular point, and with no direct or immediate view to the prize. But these allusions occur in the declaration of the apostle: "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air." He did not engage, in his Christian course, as one doubtful in himself whether, in pursuing the path of duty, he should have the honor of being crowned at last or not; as they are, who know that one only receives the prize; nor did he exercise himself unto godliness, like boxers or wrestlers, who sometimes fight in jest, or merely to prepare for the combat, or to display their strength and agility, while they had no resistance to encounter, no enemy to subdue, no reward to merit; but he pressed on, fully persuaded that, by the grace of God, he should obtain an incorruptible crown from the hands of his Redeemer.—Paxton.