Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Boxing » Figurative
Therefore I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing].
Games » Figurative » Of the Christian life
You were running [the race] well; who has interfered and prevented you from obeying the truth?
holding out and offering to everyone the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to rejoice greatly because I did not run [my race] in vain nor labor without result.
I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us,
Verse Concepts
Freedom, Abuse Of ChristianAmbition, positive aspects ofAvoiding Sinevil, believers' responses toClouds, Figurative UseAttitudes, in prayerAthleticsThe Christian RaceLibertinismPatience, In Christian LivingPersecution, Attitudes ToPrizesRunningSelf DisciplineSuffering, Encouragements InConduct, ProperGames, SpiritualVictoryAbuse, Of Christian FreedomPatience Exercised
Therefore I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing].
Games » Foot races
I went up [to Jerusalem] because of a [divine] revelation, and I put before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so in private before those of reputation, for fear that I might be running or had run [the course of my ministry] in vain.
holding out and offering to everyone the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to rejoice greatly because I did not run [my race] in vain nor labor without result.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us,
Verse Concepts
Freedom, Abuse Of ChristianAmbition, positive aspects ofAvoiding Sinevil, believers' responses toClouds, Figurative UseAttitudes, in prayerAthleticsThe Christian RaceLibertinismPatience, In Christian LivingPersecution, Attitudes ToPrizesRunningSelf DisciplineSuffering, Encouragements InConduct, ProperGames, SpiritualVictoryAbuse, Of Christian FreedomPatience Exercised
Therefore I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing].
Games » Figurative » Fighting wild "beasts", of spiritual conflict
What good has it done me if, [merely] from a human point of view, I fought with wild animals at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised [at all], let us eat and drink [enjoying ourselves now], for tomorrow we die.
I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error].
Therefore I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing].
For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles at the end of the line, like men sentenced to death [and paraded as prisoners in a procession], because we have become a spectacle to the world [a show in the world’s amphitheater], both to angels and to men.
Games » Gladiatorial
What good has it done me if, [merely] from a human point of view, I fought with wild animals at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised [at all], let us eat and drink [enjoying ourselves now], for tomorrow we die.
I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error].
Therefore I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing].
God is faithful [He is reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise—He can be depended on], and through Him you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Self-denial » Necessary » To the triumph of saints
Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither. Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary. But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].
War » Figurative » Is against » The flesh
Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself!
but I see a different law and rule of action in the members of my body [in its appetites and desires], waging war against the law of my mind and subduing me and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is within my members.
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges [those dishonorable desires] that wage war against the soul.
Verse Concepts
AbstinenceForeignersCommitment, to the worldBeggingBeing A Pilgrimencouragement, examples ofChastitydesiresLustMortificationNomadsOutsidersSanctification, Means And ResultsSelf DenialSelf IndulgenceSeparationSin, Avoidance Of
Sin, Accepting Forgiveness OfSociety, Positive Aspects OfSpiritual Warfare, As ConflictSpiritual Warfare, Enemies InSaints, As PilgrimsAliens, Christians In The WorldChristians, Names OfForsaking SinCitizenshipLiving For The MaterialAvoiding EvilReckoned As ForeignersAbstaining From DrugsPrinciples Of WarCitizensovereatingCharacteristics Of Pilgrims
For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do.
Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither. Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary. But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].
War » Figurative » To be carried on » With self-denial
Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither. Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary. But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].
Warfare of saints » Is against » The flesh
Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself!
but I see a different law and rule of action in the members of my body [in its appetites and desires], waging war against the law of my mind and subduing me and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is within my members.
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges [those dishonorable desires] that wage war against the soul.
Verse Concepts
AbstinenceForeignersCommitment, to the worldBeggingBeing A Pilgrimencouragement, examples ofChastitydesiresLustMortificationNomadsOutsidersSanctification, Means And ResultsSelf DenialSelf IndulgenceSeparationSin, Avoidance Of
Sin, Accepting Forgiveness OfSociety, Positive Aspects OfSpiritual Warfare, As ConflictSpiritual Warfare, Enemies InSaints, As PilgrimsAliens, Christians In The WorldChristians, Names OfForsaking SinCitizenshipLiving For The MaterialAvoiding EvilReckoned As ForeignersAbstaining From DrugsPrinciples Of WarCitizensovereatingCharacteristics Of Pilgrims
For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do.
Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither. Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary. But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].
Warfare of saints » To be carried on » With self-denial
Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither. Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary. But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].