Question by Broken Alabaster Flask: Christians… Finishing the ” Course’ and Running with endurance in the “Race” set before you
Whats the difference between the Race and the Course.
2 Tim 4:7
” I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith”
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore let us also, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, put away every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us and run with endurance the race which is set before us”
How are these two different?
Ty for taking the time to look into these verses as they speak of the ” Course” and the ” Race”
In Christ
sandy
Please take a close look at sister Cataliz’s response to this post.
Very very good!
You guys are amazing in your responses to this question. Ty so much!
There is One race before US.
We each finish ” our ” own course. Seems like the many lanes of the One race:)
Excellent definations given too by brother Roy!
Brother Jimmy.. as always.. i love your deep sharing on this ” race” amen and amen
Our brother shoe wrote well concerning” My course” here on the post…
Best answer:
Answer by westerngamergirl
another version of 2 tim. 4:7 is “… finished the race…”
they are both referring to the same thing, just like people and persons mean the same thing.
Add your own answer in the comments!
Tags: before, Christians, Course, endurance, Finishing, Race, Running
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Get a life. The bible was written by man to control people. God is an imaginary friend for grown-ups!
See now I’M Mad..
I read the bible from beginning to the end and I never seen your picture in there? If someone would of told me that there are Angles like you in heaven a long time ago then I would of been a good Christian.
The analogy used in both passages is between a foot race, such as those seen in the great Olympic games, and the race of life.
The two words are interchangible.
Running the corse is the way Jesus said to go,
the race is to out run satan and keep 2 step,s ahead of him
finishing the coarse is when we met the end of life
it is finished.
Just two great minds using slightly different terminology to mean the same thing
in a different version it both says the race….i guess it cahnges depending on the version
In short it is saying that they made it through their time on earth succesfully fighting the temptation of sin and they are ready to go on to the seat of judgement.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, etc. He did not fear death, because he had the testimony of his conscience that by the grace of God he had in some measure answered the ends of living. As a Christian, as a minister, he had fought a good fight. He had done the service, gone through the difficulties of his warfare, and had been instrumental in carrying on the glorious victories of the exalted Redeemer over the powers of darkness. His life was a course, and he had now finished it; as his warfare was accomplished, so his race was run. “I have kept the faith. I have kept the doctrines of the gospel, and never betrayed any of them.’’ Note, First, The life of a Christian, but especially of a minister, is a warfare and a race, sometimes compared to the one in the scripture, and sometimes to the other. Secondly, It is a good fight, a good warfare; the cause is good, and the victory is sure, if we continue faithful and courageous. Thirdly, We must fight this good fight; we must fight it out, and finish our course; we must not give over till we are made more than conquerors through him who hath loved us.
The persevering obedience of faith in Christ, was the race set before the Hebrews, wherein they must either win the crown of glory, or have everlasting misery for their portion; and it is set before us. By the sin that does so easily beset us, understand that sin to which we are most prone, or to which we are most exposed, from habit, age, or circumstances. This is a most important exhortation; for while a man’s darling sin, be it what it will, remains unsubdued, it will hinder him from running the Christian race, as it takes from him every motive for running, and gives power to every discouragement. When weary and faint in their minds, let them recollect that the holy Jesus suffered, to save them from eternal misery. By stedfastly looking to Jesus, their thoughts would strengthen holy affections, and keep under their carnal desires. Let us then frequently consider him. What are our little trials to his agonies, or even to our deserts? What are they to the sufferings of many others? There is a proneness in believers to grow weary, and to faint under trials and afflictions; this is from the imperfection of grace and the remains of corruption. Christians should not faint under their trials. Though their enemies and persecutors may be instruments to inflict sufferings, yet they are Divine chastisements; their heavenly Father has his hand in all, and his wise end to answer by all. They must not make light of afflictions, and be without feeling under them, for they are the hand and rod of God, and are his rebukes for sin. They must not despond and sink under trials, nor fret and repine, but bear up with faith and patience. God may let others alone in their sins, but he will correct sin in his own children. In this he acts as becomes a father. Our earthly parents sometimes may chasten us, to gratify their passion, rather than to reform our manners. But the Father of our souls never willingly grieves nor afflicts his children. It is always for our profit. Our whole life here is a state of childhood, and imperfect as to spiritual things; therefore we must submit to the discipline of such a state. When we come to a perfect state, we shall be fully reconciled to all God’s chastisement of us now. God’s correction is not condemnation; the chastening may be borne with patience, and greatly promote holiness. Let us then learn to consider the afflictions brought on us by the malice of men, as corrections sent by our wise and gracious Father, for our spiritual good.
For 2 Timothy 4: 7 the word for course is:
Dromos
Strong’s definition:
1) a course
a) in the NT figuratively, the COURSE OF LIFE or of office
For Hebrews 12: 1 the word for race is:
Agon
Strong’s definition:
1) an assembly,
a) a place of assembly: especially an assembly met to see games
b) the place of contest, the arena or stadium
2) the assembly of the Greeks at their national games
a) hence the contest for a prize at their games
b) generally, any STRUGGLE or contest
c) a BATTLE
d) an action at law, trial
What are we told in Ephesians 6 about our battle in life?
Ephesians 6: 12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
As Christians our life is a spiritual battle against Satan and Demons. We also battle against our flesh:
Romans 13: 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Galatians 5: 17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would…
1 John 2: 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
This is what 2 Timothy 4:7 in the end our spiritual battle here on Earth will be over and Hebrews 12: 1 is telling us to abstain from sin and go out and fight the spiritual warfare God has commanded us to fight by preaching the Gospel, and using the Word of God and putting on the full armour of God as Ephesians 6 tells us.
I believe we are to run our own race, and not compare with others. Sometimes, we are tempted to compare our spiritual growth and blessings with others. As a result, we tend to feel either disappointed when we think we fare worse, or smug when we think we are better than others. This is human nature – even Jesus’ disciples were arguing among themselves who would be greatest in God’s kingdom.
We learn from Jesus’ response to Peter’s question about John, when he asked, “Lord, what about this man?” He simply replied, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” (John 21:20-22)
The apostle Paul gave us a gentle reminder about running our own race – “But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” (Galatians 6:4)
Paul himself endeavoured to run his own race – “one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
I know I’ve not answered your question about the difference between “race” and “course” yet, sister. I just happened to have these trains of thoughts upon reading your question, so thought of sharing them. I also just realised that my NKJV Bible uses the word “race” in 2 Timothy 4:7 – “I have finished the race”. Perhaps there is no difference between “race” and “course” after all, and these two words can be used interchangeably?
Peace be with you, sister.
The Course is that which is set before us, (God’s will and our purpose) and the Race is the actual application of that work by Faith.
God meant for good that which Satan planned for evil is the course.
The truth is that God will turn for our good whatever the course the enemy plans against us…this is the course…God will save us from the enemies of Christ .
The race is that we should remain faithful to our Lord’s calling
no matter what evil befalls us.
We are reminded in scriptue not to return evil for evil…but to return good to those who are God’s enemies…
We must run the good race and hang on to every word of God and finish the race with holiness and submission to God, no matter what the cost!
Truly, you come up with amazing questions, Sis. Sandy!
The ‘race’ probably means, the spiritual journey every Christian is in. Bunyan calls it the Pilgrim’s Progress, i.e. to say , the life journey that we are ALL called to undertake, destination: HEAVEN. Along this journey we will all encounter, BUT must avoid or overcome, the potholes, pitfalls, detours and even roadblocks, in order to reach our destination.
The ‘course’ is probably, the unique life situations or circumstances [which will differ from Christian to Christian], faced by each Christian. Example: For the Apostle Paul, his course, which was set out for him was martyrdom. For the Apostle John, the course set out for him was ‘to live to a ripe old age’ and write the Book of Revelation on the Isle of Patmos.
I love Hebrews 12, thanks for the encouragement today! I am putting away every sin so that I can become more like Him.