20260528 [새벽묵상] 불멸의 면류관을 얻기 위하여 To Obtain an Imperishable Crown (고전/1Cor 9:19~28)

9:19 내가 모든 사람에게서 자유로우나 스스로 모든 사람에게 종이 된 것은 더 많은 사람을 얻고자 함이라

9:20 유대인들에게 내가 유대인과 같이 된 것은 유대인들을 얻고자 함이요 율법 아래에 있는 자들에게는 내가 율법 아래에 있지 아니하나 율법 아래 있는 자 같이 된 것은 율법 아래에 있는 자들을 얻고자 함이요

9:21 율법 없는 자에게는 내가 하나님께는 율법 없는 자가 아니요 도리어 그리스도의 율법 아래에 있는 자나 율법 없는 자와 같이 된 것은 율법 없는 자들을 얻고자 함이라

9:22 약한 자들에게 내가 약한 자와 같이 된 것은 약한 자들을 얻고자 함이요 내가 여러 사람에게 여러 모습이 된 것은 아무쪼록 몇 사람이라도 구원하고자 함이니

9:23 내가 복음을 위하여 모든 것을 행함은 복음에 참여하고자 함이라

[Paul’s Use of His Freedom]

19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

9:24 운동장에서 달음질하는 자들이 다 달릴지라도 오직 상을 받는 사람은 한 사람인 줄을 너희가 알지 못하느냐 너희도 상을 받도록 이와 같이 달음질하라

9:25 이기기를 다투는 자마다 모든 일에 절제하나니 그들은 썩을 승리자의 관을 얻고자 하되 우리는 썩지 아니할 것을 얻고자 하노라

9:26 그러므로 나는 달음질하기를 향방 없는 것 같이 아니하고 싸우기를 허공을 치는 것 같이 아니하며

9:27 내가 내 몸을 쳐 복종하게 함은 내가 남에게 전파한 후에 자신이 도리어 버림을 당할까 두려워함이로다

[The Need for Self-Discipline]

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

                  최근에 “인핸스드 게임”이라는 새로운 스포츠 대회에 대한 뉴스가 많이 올라오는 것을 보았습니다. 이 대회는 그동안 공식적인 대회에서 금지되었던 약물들과 의료적으로 경기력을 향상시키는 요법등을 전면적으로 허용하는 새로운 대회였습니다. 그런데 결과는 의외였습니다. 도핑을 통해 무수한 세계 신기록이 쏟아질 것으로 기대했으나 오직 단 하나의 비공식 세계 신기록이 나온 것입니다. 오히려 약물을 투약하지 않고 뛴 선수들이 도핑 선수를 꺾는 일도 속출했습니다. 이들은 인터뷰에서 “그들은 훈련을 더 열심히 하거나 약을 좀 더 먹어야겠다”는 농담도 할 정도였죠. ‘과학의 힘을 빌려 인간의 한계를 시험한다’는 취지는 오히려 과학의 힘을 의지하게되어 인간의 한계를 보여주지 못하는 결과를 낳고 말았습니다. 결국 진짜 중요한 것은 끊임없는 훈련과 자기관리였던 것이지요. 오늘 본문에서 바울이 말하는 것도 마찬가지인 것 같습니다. 우리도 복음에 참여하기 위해 힘써야 합니다. 복음을 위하여 모든 것을 행해야 합니다. 모든 일에 절제하고 내 몸을 쳐서 복종해야 합니다. 혹독한 훈련과 자기 관리로 상을 얻는 운동선수들과 같이 우리도 그렇게 상을 향해 손을 뻗어야 하는 것입니다. 오늘은 “불멸의 면류관을 얻기 위하여” 라는 제목으로 말씀을 나누기 원합니다.

[Introduction: The Secret of Real Performance]

Recently, there has been a lot of news about the “Enhanced Games.” Unlike traditional sports events, this competition explicitly allows the use of performance-enhancing drugs and medical therapies that were previously banned. Many expected a flood of new world records due to doping, but the results were surprising. Only one unofficial world record was set, and in many cases, athletes who did not use drugs actually defeated those who did. In interviews, the clean athletes even joked, "Maybe they should train harder instead of just taking more pills."

The attempt to test human limits through science ended up showing that relying on external shortcuts actually limits human potential. In the end, what truly matters is unrelenting training and self-management. I believe this is exactly what Paul is teaching us today. To participate in the Gospel, we must strive. We must do everything for the Gospel, exercising self-control in all things and "striking our bodies" to make them our slaves. Like athletes who win prizes through rigorous discipline, we too must reach out for the ultimate prize. Today’s message is titled: “To Obtain an Imperishable Crown.”

                  첫번째, 바울은 복음을 위해 여러 사람에게 여러 모습이 되었습니다. 지난 화요일부터 묵상하고 있는 9장의 내용을 한마디로 줄인 것이 바로 19절이지요. 나는 자유인이지만 내 선택으로 자유인의 권리를 포기하고 모든 이들에게 종이 되었다. 그리고 그 이유를 “더 많은 사람을 얻고자 함이라” 라고 적고 있습니다. 바로 복음을 더 많은 이들에게 전하기 위해서라는 것이지요. 20절에서 “유대인들을 얻고자 함이요,” “율법 아래에 있는 자들을 얻고자 함이요.” 21절에서 “율법 없는 자들을 얻고자 함이라.” 22절, “약한 자들을 얻고자 함이요.” 이렇게 자신이 가지고 있는 권리를 내려놓고 그들의 눈높이에 맞추었던 것을 바울은 다음과 같이 이야기합니다. “내가 여러 사람에게 여러 모습이 된 것은 아무쪼록 몇 사람이라도 구원하고자 함이니.” 바울의 목적은 분명했습니다. 수단과 방법을 가지리 않고 어떻게 해서든 몇 사람이라도 더 구원하기위해 그는 최선을 다했던 것입니다. 이를 바울은 자신이 복음을 위하여 모든 것을 행했다고 표현했습니다.

오늘 설교 제목을 “불멸의 면류관을 얻기 위하여” 라고 말씀을 드렸는데, 오늘 본문은 이 “얻고자 한다” 는 동사가 총 다섯번이나 반복되고 있습니다. 그런데 이 동사는 사실 단순이 ‘얻는다’ 라는 의미라기 보다는 ‘어떤 상업 활동을 통해 이윤을 창출한다’는 뜻입니다. 즉 바울에게는 이 모든 과정들, 즉 자신의 권리를 포기했던 것, 스스로 모든 사람들에게 종이 되었던 것, 온갖 사람에게 온갖 것이 되었던 것, 복음을 위하여 행했던 모든 것이 자신에게 수지맞는 장사였다는 것입니다. 23절에서 “복음을 위하여 모든 것을 행함을 복음에 참여하고자 함이라” 라고 적고 있는데 여기서 복음에 참여한다는 표현은 복음과 한 배를 탄 동업자가 된다는 말입니다. 즉, 바울은 복음에 자신이 가진 모든 것을 투자했으며 그 복음이 확장 되는 것이 자신에게 가장 큰 이윤을 가져다준다고 여겼다는 것입니다. 그래서 그는 복음이 더 많은 사람에게 전해질 수만 있다면 여러 사람에게 여러 모습이 되는 것을 기쁘게 감당할 수 있었던 것입니다.

[1. A Strategic Partnership for the Gospel (v. 19-23)]

First, Paul became "all things to all people" for the sake of the Gospel. Verse 19 summarizes everything we have been meditating on in Chapter 9: “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” Paul’s motive was clear: to win over the Jews (v. 20), those under the law (v. 20), those without the law (v. 21), and the weak (v. 22). He surrendered his rights and met people at their level. As he says, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”

In today’s text, the verb “to win” (or "to gain") is repeated five times. In the original Greek, this word is not just a simple acquisition; it carries a commercial nuance—"to turn a profit through business." For Paul, every sacrifice he made—giving up his rights, becoming a slave to all, becoming all things to all people—was a lucrative trade. Verse 23 says, “I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” To "share in its blessings" means to become a partner or a shareholder with the Gospel. Paul invested everything he had into the Gospel because he believed that the expansion of the Gospel was the greatest "profit" he could ever receive. Because he saw the Gospel as his most successful business venture, he could joyfully endure being "all things to all people."

두번째, 바울은 방향을 정하고 자신을 쳐 복종하였습니다. 바울은 당시의 검투사들과 운동선수의 예를 들어 교회가 나아가야 할 방향을 제시합니다. 당시 그리스 4대 제전중 하나였던 고린도의 이스트미아 제전에서 승리하기 위해 검투사들과 운동 선수들은 저마다 최선을 다해 노력했습니다. 지금도 UFC나 복싱같은 경기를 보면 경기에 나가기도전에 적정 체중을 맞추기 위해 정말 혹독하게 노력하는 것을 볼 수 있지요. 교회도 마찬가지라는 것입니다. 썩어질 면류관을 위해 이들도 이렇게 모든 일에 절제하며 훈련하는데 불멸의 면류관을 위해 노력하는 우리는 어떻겠냐는 것이지요. 바울은 그렇기 때문에 자신은 두가지를 행한다고 합니다. 그 첫째는 방향입니다. 이번 주일에 최홍주 목사님께서 말씀하셨던 예화 중에 택시기사에게 목적지는 알려주지 않고 빨리 가자고만 했던 어리석은 사람의 이야기 기억하시지요. 마찬가지입니다. 아무리 빨리 뛴다고 하더라도 코스를 거꾸로 뛴다면 이길 수 없지요. 복싱 선수가 아무리 펀치가 좋더라도 그의 주먹이 빈 공간만 가르고 있다면 오히려 카운터를 맞기 딱 좋을 뿐입니다. 그렇기에 바울은 그 방향을 복음에 맞추었습니다. 그는 복음을 향해 달음질하는 것입니다. 두번째, 바울은 자신의 몸을 쳐서 복종하게 하였습니다. 이것이 무엇입니까? 앞에서 바울이 말했던 모든 것입니다. 모든 일에 절제하고 자기 자신을 통제하고 관리합니다. 자신의 권리조차 포기하고 종의 모습까지 내려갔습니다. 여러 사람에게 여러 모습으로 어떻게서든 복음을 전하기 위해 모든 것을 행하는 것. 그것이 그가 말하는 내 몸을 쳐서 복종하게 한다는 것입니다.

[2. Clear Direction and Rigorous Discipline (v. 24-27)]

Second, Paul set a clear direction and beat his body into submission. He uses the examples of gladiators and athletes of his time to show the church how to move forward. To win at the Isthmian Games—one of the four great festivals of Greece held near Corinth—athletes practiced extreme self-control. Even today, we see UFC fighters or boxers going through grueling weight cuts and training regimens just to be ready for a fight.

Paul argues that if athletes undergo such discipline for a crown that will wither, how much more should we—who seek an imperishable crown—strive? Paul mentions two keys to his discipline:

1. Direction: Just like a runner who is fast but runs in the wrong direction cannot win, or a boxer who punches the air only exhausts himself, Paul fixes his gaze on the Gospel. He does not run aimlessly.

2. Subjugation: Paul says, “I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave.” This is what he has been talking about all along: exercising self-control, managing himself, and even giving up his rights to become a servant. Doing "everything for the sake of the Gospel" is what it means to beat the body into submission.

말씀을 맺습니다. 바울은 썩지 않는 면류관을 위하여 달음질하였습니다. 상을 위해 혹독한 훈련과 자기 관리를 마다않는 운동선수와 같이 그도 복음을 위하여 자신의 몸을 쳐서 복종시키고 절제하였습니다. 그가 그렇게 복음만을 위하여 모든 것을 희생할 수 있었던 이유는 무엇입니까? 바로 그 복음이 그에게 가장 복된 수지맞는 장사였기 때문입니다. 그가 복음과 한 배를 탄 동업자가 되었기 때문입니다. 그래서 그는 그 불멸의 면류관을 얻고자 모든 것을 마다하였던 것입니다. 복음이야말로 영원한 우리의 면류관이 되는 줄 믿습니다. 그 복음을 위해 살아가시는 여러분 되시기를 주님의 이름으로 축원합니다.

[Conclusion: Living for the Eternal Reward]

Paul ran for a crown that would never rot. Like an athlete who embraces harsh training for a prize, he disciplined himself and restrained his desires for the sake of the Gospel. He could sacrifice everything because the Gospel was the most profitable venture of his life. He became a partner who shared the same fate as the Gospel.

I believe the Gospel is our eternal crown. I pray that you will not settle for the "temporary shortcuts" of this world, but instead live as disciplined runners and partners of the Gospel, reaching for that imperishable prize.

Let us pray.