In 1 Corinthians 9:27, Paul employs a very colorful and precise Greek word that perfectly fits the boxing analogy he’s employing to describe how he brings his body into slavery to Christ. What does every single translation do, including the Concordant Literal New Testament? They ignore the hard work this
beautiful Greek word does (hupopiazo) to help us grasp Paul’s boxing analogy (Paul loved that such a perfect boxing term existed for him), and translate with an English word that has absolutely nothing to do with the meaning of hupopiazo.
Translator#1: Paul is using a boxing analogy here to describe a walk in Christ.
Translator #2: Okay, then
what?
Translator#1: Well, next he uses a word that, apparently, has specifically to do with boxing.
Translator #2: There is such a Greek word?
Translator#1: Yes. It’s hupopiazo.
Translator #2: Wow. What does it mean?
Translator#1: “To blacken with a blow that part of the face under the eye."
Translator #2: Right after a boxing analogy?
Translator#1: Yep.
Translator #2: Now let me see if I have this straight. We have a boxing analogy.
Translator#1: Yes.
Translator
#2: Followed by a word that means, basically, “to strike under the eye.”
Translator#1: Correct.
Translator #2: Hm. Boxing, and then “to strike under the eye.”
Translator#1: Right. Boxing, and then “to strike under the eye."
Translator #2: So...once more now...Boxing...and then a word that means, “to strike under the eye.”
Translator#1: Yes. That’s our situation.
Translator #2: I’ve got it! Let’s make it “belabor!”
Translator #1: Brilliant!
