What do these words mean: “Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air” (1 Cor. 9:26)?

It is common among boxers that, when they first enter the ring before the start of the fight, they throw punches into thin air to warm themselves up, and perhaps to impress the crowds. This was known as skiāmakhíā , literally, fighting against a shadow , a false fight or

706 St. Jerome, The Homilies of Saint Jerome, Volume 1 (1–59 on the Psalms) 20 (FOTC 48:157).

707 St. John Chrysostom, Baptismal Instructions 3.11 (ACW 31:59–60).

fighting the air. However, when Christ entered the contest against the real enemy, He did not fight the air, but completely obtained His objective in our name and on our behalf. And He gave us His Holy Spirit that we might fight with conviction and powerfully strike the enemy who has been utterly shattered by the rain of blows of the Savior. St. John Chrysostom says, “‘So fight I, as not beating the air.’ This he says, again intimating that he acted not at random nor in vain. For I have one at whom I may strike, i.e., the devil. But you do not strike him, but simply throw away your strength.”⁷⁰⁸