1Co 9:24 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.
1Co 9:25 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.
A pacesetter is a leader in a field of activity. He is a person regarded as a leader in any field and one whom others may emulate. On the other hand , a pacemaker is a competitor in a race who sets the speed at which the whole or part of the race is run.
Paul must have enjoyed the sporting activities of his day. And for that reason he used athletic metaphor from the Isthmian’s games held in Corinth every two years. The emphasis here is the whole hearted efforts used by the athletes to win the race . Any athlete who did it half heartedly definitely did not win the prize.
The metaphor illustrates the need for rigid discipline, hard work and self control for one to be at the top. ” You don’t walk to the finish line as if you are going for a Stoll and expect to be declared ” the best in this or that in the year 2023 “. We must run as fast as we can and try to get the prize in the first place! Let us not be lazy; let us strive with all our soul and strength and win the prize . We are not only supposed to be pacesetters in matters of faith only but also in our areas of specialization.
Further readings:
Ecc 9:10
Heb 12:1-3
Col 3:23
🙏 Blessed Day 🙏