Prize: A Reward of Merit
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In biblical terms, a "prize" often refers to a reward given for faithful service, perseverance, or victory in a spiritual or moral contest. The concept of a prize as a reward of merit is deeply rooted in Scripture, where it is frequently used metaphorically to describe the eternal rewards awaiting believers who remain steadfast in their faith.

New Testament Context

The Apostle Paul frequently uses athletic imagery to describe the Christian life, likening it to a race or competition where a prize is awarded to the victor. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 , Paul writes, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize. Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable." Here, the "prize" symbolizes the eternal reward of salvation and the crown of life that believers strive to attain through disciplined living and faithfulness to Christ.

In Philippians 3:14 , Paul further emphasizes the pursuit of this heavenly reward: "I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." The "prize" in this context is the fulfillment of God's calling and the ultimate reward of eternal life with Christ. This passage underscores the importance of perseverance and dedication in the Christian journey.

Old Testament Parallels

While the specific term "prize" is not commonly used in the Old Testament, the concept of a reward for righteousness and faithfulness is prevalent. For instance, in Proverbs 11:18 , it is written, "The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward." This verse highlights the principle that living a life of righteousness leads to a genuine reward, which can be understood as a precursor to the New Testament concept of the prize.

Theological Implications

The idea of a prize as a reward of merit in the Bible is not about earning salvation through works but rather about the rewards that accompany faithful service and perseverance in the faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 clarifies that salvation is a gift of grace, not a result of works: "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." However, the Bible also teaches that believers will be rewarded for their faithfulness and good works, as seen in passages like 2 Timothy 4:7-8 , where Paul speaks of the "crown of righteousness" awarded to those who have fought the good fight and kept the faith.

Practical Application

For Christians, the concept of a prize serves as both motivation and encouragement to live a life that honors God. It reminds believers that their efforts in pursuing holiness, serving others, and spreading the Gospel are not in vain. The promise of a heavenly reward encourages perseverance through trials and challenges, knowing that God is faithful to reward those who diligently seek Him.

In summary, the biblical concept of a prize as a reward of merit is a powerful metaphor for the eternal rewards that await those who faithfully follow Christ. It serves as a reminder of the imperishable crown that believers strive for, encouraging them to live lives of discipline, righteousness, and unwavering faith.
Nave's Topical Index
1 Corinthians 9:24
Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Sophistry which He Employs to Prove Our Acknowledgment that He ...
... Our excellent friend fails to understand the force of this word prize; Cyzicus was
given up to him as the reward of merit for his extravagant impiety; and as ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 11 the sophistry which.htm

Whether the Aureole is the Same as the Essential Reward which is ...
... for instance a crown to the conqueror, a prize to the ... Now this reward is called a
"crown" or "aurea" metaphorically, both with reference to merit which is ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the aureole is the.htm

The Requisites of Merit
... justice," "prize of victory," "just judge," etc. Suarez and his school contend that
there is such a perfectly balanced equality between merit and reward that ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 2 the requisites of.htm

Thou Anointest My Head with Oil; My Cup Runneth Over.
... sheweth mercy."(71) All may run, all may strive, indeed, for the prize of eternal
life ... and out of a motive of charity, do, it is true, merit a reward in Heaven ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/x thou anointest my head.htm

Christian Standing and Christian Progress
... progress""Not already perfect""The recompense of reward"What the prize will be. ... all
our Righteousness, in His precious justifying Merit, offered for ...
/.../moule/philippian studies/chapter ix christian standing and.htm

On the Sacraments in General
... gladiators"men who fought with swords as prize-fighters do ... and can do good or evil,
and merit grace. At death we receive simply our reward or punishment for ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 13 on the sacraments.htm

Praise for the Gift of Gifts
... How can that, then, claim a reward, which is, in itself ... is just then that every thought
of merit melts away ... No prize can approach it in excellence, no merit can ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/praise for the gift of.htm

Treats of the Insecurity of Life in this Exile, However High we ...
... How canst Thou wish us to prize such a wretched existence? ... nor should we ever think,
however much we may have done for God, that we merit the reward of the ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter i treats of the.htm

Preface.
... the books of Spiritual Conferences, the merit of which ... perilous the undertaking,
[2362] because the prize of the holy sanctuary and the divine reward can only ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cassian/the seven books of john cassian /preface.htm

That Holy Love May be Augmented Still More and More in Every one ...
... [129] Who is the prize but Jesus ... he desires eternally to do well, he shall have an
eternal reward. ... being, but only in regard to its value and merit, as being ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter i that holy love.htm

Resources
What are the five heavenly crowns that believers can receive in Heaven? | GotQuestions.org

What are some of the riddles in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Michal in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Prize: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Prize

Prize: A Reward of Merit

Prize: Figurative

Related Terms

Robbery (18 Occurrences)

Win (27 Occurrences)

Grasp (20 Occurrences)

Price (181 Occurrences)

Pursue (104 Occurrences)

Play (61 Occurrences)

Athlete (2 Occurrences)

Gets (122 Occurrences)

Esdras

Race (36 Occurrences)

Privy (3 Occurrences)

Value (138 Occurrences)

Voluntary (17 Occurrences)

Vainly (4 Occurrences)

Notions (6 Occurrences)

Unspiritual (6 Occurrences)

Upward (74 Occurrences)

Oppose (29 Occurrences)

Obeys (17 Occurrences)

Loot (15 Occurrences)

Lot (145 Occurrences)

Leader (183 Occurrences)

Last (1087 Occurrences)

Gain (142 Occurrences)

Goal (7 Occurrences)

Gaze (46 Occurrences)

Game (11 Occurrences)

Worshipping (49 Occurrences)

Wage (39 Occurrences)

Won (24 Occurrences)

Idle (33 Occurrences)

Fixing (13 Occurrences)

Foot-race (1 Occurrence)

Fleshly (15 Occurrences)

Round (664 Occurrences)

Receiveth (48 Occurrences)

Ring (33 Occurrences)

Rob (27 Occurrences)

Receives (43 Occurrences)

Robber (14 Occurrences)

Race-course (1 Occurrence)

Runners (21 Occurrences)

Rescue (92 Occurrences)

Expectation (25 Occurrences)

Esteem (25 Occurrences)

Draw (212 Occurrences)

Dart (9 Occurrences)

Dionysia

Double (49 Occurrences)

Detail (19 Occurrences)

Delights (39 Occurrences)

Disqualify (1 Occurrence)

Mastery (5 Occurrences)

Michri (1 Occurrence)

Push (23 Occurrences)

Puffed (13 Occurrences)

Perfected (25 Occurrences)

Prized (3 Occurrences)

Plate (34 Occurrences)

Puffs (3 Occurrences)

Patiently (25 Occurrences)

Pressing (16 Occurrences)

Purse (7 Occurrences)

Bay (8 Occurrences)

Capture (53 Occurrences)

Certainty (23 Occurrences)

Compete (3 Occurrences)

Contends (6 Occurrences)

Contest (7 Occurrences)

Contempt (55 Occurrences)

Competition (6 Occurrences)

Attain (30 Occurrences)

Adjudge (1 Occurrence)

Award (4 Occurrences)

Admire (1 Occurrence)

Striving (33 Occurrences)

Sits (52 Occurrences)

Simply (27 Occurrences)

Prize
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