Punch Yourself in the Eye!

[Vine Abider]

We were going over 1st Corinthians chapter 9 yesterday and a brother pointed out something in verse 9:27 - "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."  The word for "discipline" is also often translated as battered or buffet. It is the Greek word "hupopiazo" which means literally "to strike under the eye." 

So why would Paul say that he punches himself in the eye, so he won't be disqualified? 

[Marathoner]

An allegory for mastering the flesh.

If Paul was mastered by the flesh, he would be disqualified from authority. Allegories abound in scripture. 

[Alive]

10 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

We were going over 1st Corinthians chapter 9 yesterday and a brother pointed out something in verse 9:27 - "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."  The word for "discipline" is also often translated as battered or buffet. It is the Greek word "hupopiazo" which means literally "to strike under the eye." 

So why would Paul say that he punches himself in the eye, so he won't be disqualified? 

Of course he wasn't saying that.

;-)

[Vine Abider]

12 minutes ago, Marathoner said:

An allegory for mastering the flesh.

If Paul was mastered by the flesh, he would be disqualified from authority. Allegories abound in scripture. 

I thought it interesting that Paul uses a word for hitting the eye.  To me, the eye is a leading part of my flesh, that is, what I look at can result in trouble.

[Vine Abider]

1 minute ago, Alive said:

Of course he wasn't saying that.

;-)

He wasn't saying what - punching himself or being disqualified?

[Alive]

Just now, Vine Abider said:

He wasn't saying what - punching himself or being disqualified?

Punching himself in the eye.

[Vine Abider]

Just now, Alive said:

Punching himself in the eye.

So why did he use that word?  And, of course, I know he wasn't talking about his physical body, but rather this spiritual entity called the flesh.

[Alive]

8 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

So why did he use that word?  And, of course, I know he wasn't talking about his physical body, but rather this spiritual entity called the flesh.

Its a reference to the discipline required in a boxing match...both the training and the match.

The hellenized world knew just what he meant.

Edited Monday at 05:55 PM by Alive
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[Alive]

5299. ὑπωπιάζω; hupōpiazō; (from hupōpion, compounded of hupo and ōps, ōpos, which denotes a. that part of the face which is under the eyes; b. a blow in that part of the face; a black and blue spot, a bruise); properly, to beat black and blue, to smite so as to cause bruises and livid spots (Aristotle, rhet. 3, 11, 15, p. 1413a, 20; Plutarch, mor., p. 921 f.; Diogenes Laërtius 6, 89): to sōma, like a boxer I buffet my body, handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships, 1 Cor. 9:27; metaphorically, (poleis hupōpiasmenai, cities terribly scourged and afflicted by war, bearing the marks of devastation Aristophanes pax 541) to give one intolerable annoyance (‘beat one out’, ‘wear one out’), by entreaties (cf. telos, 1 a.), Luke 18:5 (cf. aliquem rogitando obtundat, Terence, Eun. 3, 5, 6).*

[Orion]

Paul is speaking hyperbolically to demonstrate to the  believers at Corinth the seriousness of the gospel, and that, regardless of the liberty believers have in Christ, the gospel message is to be taught with uncompromising zeal and humility, regardless of the false beliefs of those with whom the gospel is shared. (1 Cor. 1:22-23, 10:32).  

Peace