Septuagesima Sunday, February 16, 2025

Septuagesima Sunday, February 16, 2025

Paul again asserts a familiar refrain. Throughout the ninth chapter, Paul has been arguing for his rights and his surrender of them in service of the gospel. Each of his arguments’ main sections concludes with a refrain: “the Lord commanded that those who preach the gospel should get their living by the gospel” (vs. 9:14); “that in my preaching I may make the gospel free of charge, not making full use of my right in the gospel” (vs. 9:18); “I do it all for the sake of the gospel” (vs. 9:23); and “so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (vs. 9:27). All these metaphors, allusions, and references to athletic contests would have been immediately familiar to the Corinthians, the originators of many competitive and combative games. Paul’s opponent is his body… his flesh. Our ESV text claims he “subdues” his body. The older and more faithful to the Greek, RSV claims Paul “pommels” his body, giving it a “black eye.” Paul knows his flesh… with all its vices… with all its virtues… with all its desires… entices him away from the one thing needful for him to win, to receive that imperishable prize: faith alone. The body wants permission to practice its vices. The body wants a reward for practicing its virtues. The body desires proof… proof, and evidence over faith. Or, as Paul puts it elsewhere, the body covets walking by sight rather than by faith (cf. 2 Cor. 5:7). So Paul subdues the body. He enslaves it for the gospel of Jesus Christ, which must be preached (vs. 9:14), which must be preached freely (vs. 9:18), which all things must serve (vs. 9:23), and which Paul himself desires to hear and to have (vs. 9:27). Your body with all its vices, virtues, and desires must be put beneath the Good News of Jesus Christ received by faith alone.

Prayers for freedom from the flesh so that the life of faith may come forth…

Heavenly Father, you send our flesh to its decisive defeat in the dust from which it came. So hold us in the faith of Jesus Christ that we live from that faith and not by the works of our flesh. Holy Lord, make it so!

Heavenly Father, you send our flesh to its decisive defeat in the dust from which it came. As we live from the faith of Jesus Christ, lead us to that rest Jesus promised when he said, “Come unto me.” Holy Lord, make it so!

Heavenly Father, you send our flesh to its decisive defeat in the dust from which it came. While we enjoy such rest, fill us with peace and contentment, and set the table before us even in the presence of our enemies. Holy Lord, make it so!

Heavenly Father, you send our flesh to its decisive defeat in the dust from which it came. Out of the rest, peace, and contentment you provide us with, send us into our vocation that amid our various callings, we would be useful to those who are our neighbors. Holy Lord, make it so!

Heavenly Father, you send our flesh to its decisive defeat in the dust from which it came.  In being useful to our neighbors, let us take delight in delivering to them the goods of this creation. Holy Lord, make it so!

Heavenly Father, you send our flesh to its decisive defeat in the dust from which it came. Hold the Institute of Lutheran Theology conscious of its mortality so that it always defers to the gospel, which alone conveys immortality. Holy Lord, make it so!

Heavenly Father, you send our flesh to its decisive defeat in the dust from which it came. As we delight in delivering the goods of this creation to our neighbors, give us as well the delight that comes from providing the goods of the new creation to them—that is, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Holy Lord, make it so!