[HarleyD]

The word can not only mean "reprobate" but "unfit" or "not worthy". It has several meanings.

It is just as important to look at the context of the passage. 1 Corinthians 9 is talking about preaching the gospel and how to preach it. To the Jews Paul became as a Jew. To the Gentile, Paul became as a Gentile. He is striving for the gospel sake and encourages the Corinthians to follow his example. Now what makes more sense in the context of the chapter:

"I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 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 lose my salvation. "

-or-

"I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 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 not be worthy of my calling. "

Paul did not for one moment believed that he could lose his salvation. He was commissioned by our Lord Jesus Himself on the Damascus Road.

BTW-It brings discredit on our Lord Jesus to think that we have to maintain our salvation. He is the keeper of our souls, the bearer of our good works, and our Great Shepherd. To think that one can lose their salvation is nothing more than admitting that our works save us which totally contradicts John 1:12-13.

[Gamecock]

Yup.

[af_vet_1981]

The word can not only mean "reprobate" but "unfit" or "not worthy". It has several meanings.

Definition and usage ...

adokimos: failing to pass the test
Original Word: ἀδόκιμος, ον
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: adokimos
Phonetic Spelling: (ad-ok'-ee-mos)
Short Definition: failing to pass the test
Definition: failing to pass the test, unapproved, counterfeit.

Englishman's Concordance
Strong's Greek: 96. ἀδόκιμος (adokimos) — 8 Occurrences
Romans 1:28 Adj-AMS
GRK: θεὸς εἰς ἀδόκιμον νοῦν ποιεῖν
NAS: gave them over to a depraved mind,
KJV: over to a reprobate mind, to do
INT: God to a depraved mind to do

1 Corinthians 9:27 Adj-NMS
GRK: κηρύξας αὐτὸς ἀδόκιμος γένωμαι 
NAS: I myself will not be disqualified.
KJV: I myself should be a castaway.
INT: having preached myself rejected I might be

2 Corinthians 13:5 Adj-NMP
GRK: εἰ μήτι ἀδόκιμοί ἐστε 
NAS: is in you -- unless indeed you fail the test?
INT: if not rejected you are

2 Corinthians 13:6 Adj-NMP
GRK: οὐκ ἐσμὲν ἀδόκιμοι 
NAS: do not fail the test.
KJV: are not reprobates.
INT: not are rejected

2 Corinthians 13:7 Adj-NMP
GRK: δὲ ὡς ἀδόκιμοι ὦμεν 
NAS: though we may appear unapproved.
KJV: be as reprobates.
INT: however as rejected be

2 Timothy 3:8 Adj-NMP
GRK: τὸν νοῦν ἀδόκιμοι περὶ τὴν
NAS: mind, rejected in regard
KJV: minds, reprobate concerning
INT: in mind found worthless as regards the

Titus 1:16 Adj-NMP
GRK: ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἀδόκιμοι 
NAS: and disobedient and worthless for any
KJV: good work reprobate.
INT: work good found worthless

Hebrews 6:8 Adj-NMS
GRK: καὶ τριβόλους ἀδόκιμος καὶ κατάρας
NAS: and thistles, it is worthless and close
KJV: briers [is] rejected, and
INT: and thistles [is] rejected and a curse

[af_vet_1981]

BTW-It brings discredit on our Lord Jesus ...

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

...

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

...

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Matthew, Catholic chapter ten, Protestant verses thirty seven to thirty eight,
Hebrews, Catholic chapter ten, Protestant verses twenty two to thirty one,
Revelation, Catholic chapter three, Protestant verses one to six,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James