In this passage, Paul tells how carefully he controlled and buffeted his fleshly nature, lest he should be a castaway. Did he mean that he was afraid he would lose his soul?
"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."
The word "castaway" here is translated from a Greek work making unworthy or not approved. Paul really means that after God has greatly used him to preach the Gospel and has shown His approval on Paul's ministry by Holy Spirit power, that even Paul could lose that Holy Spirit power. He could find himself not approved of God for the ministry if he lets the fleshly nature control his life.
As far as the ministry is concerned, some men who were once used are now castaways, unprofitable servants, instruments not fit for God's use in the ministry.
In John 6:37, Jesus plainly promises that the individual soul that comes to Him for salvation will in no wise be cast out. The Christian is in no danger of losing his soul. He may lose the approval of God and it was this disapproval of God which Paul feared, not of losing his salvation.
—abridged from Can a Saved Person Ever Be Lost? by John R. Rice. To read the full article, order the pamphlet here.
As far as the ministry is concerned, some men who were once used are now castaways, unprofitable servants, instruments not fit for God's use in the ministry.
In John 6:37, Jesus plainly promises that the individual soul that comes to Him for salvation will in no wise be cast out. The Christian is in no danger of losing his soul. He may lose the approval of God and it was this disapproval of God which Paul feared, not of losing his salvation.
—abridged from Can a Saved Person Ever Be Lost? by John R. Rice. To read the full article, order the pamphlet here.
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