Yes — the running race in Paul's teachings is a picture of the believer's pursuit of reward, not salvation.
In the evidence, Les Feldick repeatedly explains that Paul uses the Olympic race to show believers striving to obtain a prize. That prize is not salvation, because salvation is already received as a free gift. The race represents the believer's post-salvation work for reward and crowns.
1 Corinthians 9:24 — Paul directly asks about runners in a race and the prize, then tells believers to run so they may obtain.
In 1 Corinthians 9:24, Paul asks, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." He then explains that every competitor is temperate in all things: Olympic runners did it to obtain a corruptible crown, but believers run for an incorruptible crown (1 Corinthians 9:25). Paul says, "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air" (1 Corinthians 9:26), and "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection" (1 Corinthians 9:27). In Romans 6:23, Scripture declares that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, while the wages of sin is death. Paul also writes in Philippians 3:14, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Les Feldick teaches that Paul's race analogy comes from the Olympic Games, specifically the Isthmian Games in Corinth. Paul uses the race to show that believers should run to win a prize — but that prize is not salvation. Salvation is the free gift of God, as Romans 6:23 says, and cannot be worked for. After salvation, however, believers are expected to gear up for the race and work for reward. Les emphasizes that Paul trains spiritually, runs not uncertainly, and keeps his body under control — all for an incorruptible crown, not a withering wreath. This reward will be realized at the judgment seat of Christ.
No. Les repeatedly says the race is not for salvation. He explains that believers already attained salvation by faith, and the prize Paul describes is a reward, not salvation. Romans 6:23 shows salvation is a gift; once a person is saved, God expects that person to serve and work for reward.
The prize is a reward — an incorruptible crown. In Paul's day, Olympic runners trained strenuously just to receive a wreath of leaves that would shrivel and die. Beliievers, by contrast, run for an incorruptible crown that lasts forever. Les says that is the whole concept of Paul's teachings: saved by faith plus nothing, but then geared up to work for reward.
Les teaches that the believer's work for reward is all going to be brought about at the judgment seat of Christ. This is connected to the building process and the idea that believers are not saved to sit, but saved to serve, and that service will be rewarded.
Les says Paul must have been a fan of the Olympics because he refers to them so often. In Corinth, the Isthmian Games were the second greatest games in the Roman world after the Olympics. Paul used these familiar races to show that runners all run, but only one receives the prize, and believers should run with that same determination.
Salvation Is a Gift, Not a Race
Les shows that because salvation is God's gift, the race believers run afterwards is for reward, not for salvation.
Paul's Olympic Race Illustration
Les explains that Paul refers to the Olympic/Isthmian games where runners run to win, and believers are to run to obtain — not salvation.
The Race as a Building Process
Les connects the race analogy to the believer's building process, emphasizing the prize is not salvation.
Training Spiritually to Win
Les teaches that Paul trains himself spiritually, runs not uncertainly, and keeps his body under control to win the prize.
The Incorruptible Crown
Les contrasts the temporary wreath that Olympic runners sought with the incorruptible crown believers run for.
Gearing Up for Reward
Les emphasizes that believers are saved by faith plus nothing, but are then to gear up for the race and work for reward.
Run to Win the Reward
Les says the reward goes with salvation, and believers should set priorities on winning that prize.
Rewards in Glory
Les reminds readers that Paul always teaches believers to run the race for reward and one day cash in on rewards in glory.
1 Corinthians 9:24: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
This is the central verse where Paul introduces the race analogy and the goal of obtaining a prize.
1 Corinthians 9:25: And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Contrasts the perishable wreath of ancient games with the imperishable reward believers pursue.
1 Corinthians 9:26: I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
Paul shows his own intentional, focused effort in the spiritual race.
1 Corinthians 9:27: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Paul's self-discipline in the race, which Les connects to training for the prize.
Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Shows salvation is a gift, not something earned, so the race is for reward after salvation.
Philippians 3:14: I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul uses similar prize language, supporting the idea of pressing on for a reward.
No. Les Feldick says Paul is not talking about salvation when he mentions the race. Salvation is the gift of God, already received by faith. The race is for a reward or crown that believers may obtain after they are saved.
Les says Paul was likely a fan of the Olympics and often used races as an analogy. In Corinth, the Isthmian Games were second only to the Olympics. Runners all run, but only one gets the prize, so Paul tells believers to run with the same determination.
The ancient Olympic runners ran for a corruptible crown — a wreath that would shrivel up. Believers run for an incorruptible crown, one that will last for all eternity.
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