Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Corinthians 9:27. It's a really important and slightly complex passage, so we’ll go through it step-by-step. Here's the basic meaning: This verse is about protecting yourself from being exploited or used in a way that compromises your integrity. It’s saying you’re carefully managing your time and energy to spread the Gospel (the good news of Jesus Christ), but you don’t want to be taken advantage of by someone who wants to use your efforts for their own gain. Let's unpack it further: "But I keep under my body..." : This is a metaphor. “Body” in this context refers to your life, your ministry, and your efforts to share the Gospel. It’s about your work and how you spend your time. "...and bring [it] into subjection..." : “Bring it into submission” means to control or manage something – in this case, your ministry. It's about making sure that your efforts are directed towards spreading the Gospel and aren’t being used for something else. "...lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." : This is where it gets a little more nuanced. “A castaway” is a powerful image. It suggests you're vulnerable – like someone adrift at sea. "By any means..." : This emphasizes that there’s no one way to exploit your efforts. "...when I have preached to others..." : You're actively sharing the Gospel with people. "...I myself should be a castaway." : This is the key part. It means that if you become too involved in spreading the Gospel, and your focus shifts away from the true goal – sharing God’s love and truth – you could end up lost or abandoned. You might lose your purpose and become dependent on someone else. So, what does this mean practically? Paul is urging believers to be mindful of how they use their time and energy. He's saying that while he loves to share the Gospel and wants to impact people’s lives, he needs to protect himself from being taken advantage of. It’s a call for self-care and focus on the core purpose – spreading God's message - rather than getting caught up in other opportunities or influences. In essence, it’s about prioritizing your integrity and staying true to your mission. Does this make sense? Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail, perhaps relate it to a specific aspect of Paul's teachings? For example, we could talk about: The importance of focusing on the spirit of the Gospel. How to maintain your integrity even when facing challenges.