' Lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."

The word "castaway ' is, in the Greek, adokimos, and is used eight times in the New Testament. The word is really the Greek noun dokimos, with the prefix a, which negatives the meaning of the word to which it is prefixed, as "not "or "without."

Dokimos is used seven times in the New Testament. The following table gives the places where these words are used, and their translation in our King James' Bibles :

Adokimos. Dokimos.

Rom. 1 :28 = " reprobate" Rom. 14:18 = "approved"

1 Cor. 9 :27 = " castaway '' Rom. 16:10 = "approved "

2 Cor. 13 :5 = " reprobates " 1 Cor. 11:19 = "approved "

2 Cor. 13:6 = "reprobates" 2 Cor. 10:18 = "approved"

2 Cor. 13:7 = " reprobates " 2 Cor. 13:7 = " approved "

2 Tim. 3:8 = " reprobate " 2 Tim. 2:15 = " approved "

Titus 1 :16 = " reprobate " Jas. 1:12= " tried "

Heb. 6:8 =" rejected "

It is plain that adokimos, which is rendered "castaway" in the verse quoted at the head of this paper, would be better rendered "not approved," and so in every passage where it occurs. It will be noticed that in every instance it refers to the person, never to his work or service or walk:that is, it refers to the runner, not to his running.

Romans i:28 gives an excellent play upon the word, using both the verb and the noun:"And according as they did not approve to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a non-approving mind." They did not approve of God, and so God gave them up to that sort of mind, to let it work out to full ripe fruit. 2 Cor. 13 :5 affords another instance of the use of the verb and noun:"Approve (prove) yourselves . . . except ye be non-approved."

It is plain that here, as in all the other passages, the word applies to persons. They are either of the approved or of the non-approved; of one class or the other. Let them settle it now, as to which class they belonged; and this, of course, any Christian can do in an instant. Verses 6 and 7 show that the word applies to persons, and is of present application. They could determine whether he were one of the class or not. 2 Tim. 3 :8 – Jannes and Jambres were not approved as to the faith-not believers, not in the approved class. Titus i :16-these also were not in the approved class, from whatever point viewed.

In Heb. 6:8, the ground is not approved; but of course it represents persons. The soil is bad, the thorns and the briars do not make it bad; they show that it is bad. No doubt, the primary application here is to Israel after the flesh; they are not yet cursed, but "nigh unto" it ; if they do not enter the "approved" class, cursing will be their portion.

The original use of the word dokimos will throw much light upon its meaning. It was used in connection with the Olympic games. If one qualified to enter the lists as a runner or a wrestler, and was accepted, he was " dokimos; " but if for any reason anyone neglected or failed to qualify, he was "adokimos," his name did not appear on the lists. It was not a question of his running or of his wrestling at all ; he was not in the game. One who qualified prepared himself by training for the contest he was to engage in, by abstaining from everything which would be likely to hinder the proper development of his powers ; by due exercise of these faculties and powers which would be in demand in the coming struggle, etc.

No doubt the apostle, in i Cor. 9:24-27, has before him these games as a pattern. He buffets his body and keeps it in subjection, as every one who is in training does. What would be thought of one who had entered for these important games, if he were to allow his appetites free rein, or waste his time in sloth ? He would prove by that very fact that he was not really in the race-that he was adokimos. So the man who does not bridle his lusts may be safely set down as a hypocrite-as no Christian at all.

The apostle had no fears as to the result; there was no uncertainty with him:"I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air." Nor does he say, " Lest by any means I should become "adokimos." One cannot become adokimos; he is of necessity that if he is not "approved." Those who most commonly quote this passage quote it as if it read, " Lest I should become;" or if the word " become " is not used, their reasoning requires it.

A certain edition of the Bible, recently put into my hands, has a note on the passage under consideration, in which the writer states positively that the apostle is not speaking of himself as liable to be rejected, but of his work, although the inspired Word expressly says, "Lest I myself and the word adokimos, as we have seen, invariably applies to the person. Thus the writer just referred to flatly- though unwittingly, surely-contradicts the word of God. And his note, being in the Bible, will be considered by simple souls as almost settling the interpretation of the passage.

Alas, how many are "running "who are not in the race at all! To how many this may apply:" I have preached to others," and whose names are not in the Lamb's book of life. " Preaching to others " does not enter one upon the lists of contestants for the prize. " Many will say unto Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name ? and in thy name cast out devils ? and in thy name done many wonderful works ? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity " (Matt. 7:22, 23). J. B. J.