Keraia
1 Corinthians 9

1 Corinthians 9:25

Run Your Race to Win · 1 Corinthians 9:24–27
Read 1 Corinthians 9

Translations

Modern
Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.
Traditional
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Literal
Now everyone striving controls himself in all things; these indeed then so that they might receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable.
Latin
Omnis autem qui in agone contendit, ab omnibus se abstinet, et illi quidem ut corruptibilem coronam accipiant: nos autem incorruptam.

Original

Greek
English
Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.

Notes

1 Corinthians 9:24–27

  • To show how seriously the Corinthians must take their salvation, Paul refers to the Isthmian games, a well-known athletic event held in Corinth every two years.

  • Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline: Athletes must have strict self-discipline to compete for a prize. In Paul's time, athletes trained rigorously for months before competing. Similarly, strict self-discipline (see Galatians 5:22–23) is needed to achieve the eternal prize of salvation. Christians must follow the daily discipline of obeying Christ.

  • for a crown that is perishable: Athletic prizes were often wreaths made of laurel leaves (see 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 2:10).

1 Corinthians 9:1–27

Continuing the argument from 8:1, Paul shares personal examples of giving up his rights to help others (see study note on 1 Corinthians 8:1–11:1).

Theme notes and profiles

Corinth Paul (Saul)

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Brothers of Jesus Conscience Crown First Letter to the Corinthians Gymnasium Heaven Sanctification Second Letter to the Corinthians

Topics

Competition Crown: Figurative Doing your Best Finish the Race Hygiene: General Scriptures Concerning Self Discipline Self-Denial: General Scriptures Concerning Self-Denial: Necessary: To the Triumph of Saints Sportsmanship Temperance: General Scriptures Concerning The Reward of Saints: An Incorruptible Crown The Roman Empire: Allusions to Grecian Game Adapted by Crowning of Conquerors The Roman Empire: Allusions to Grecian Game Adapted by Training of Combatants War with Self-Denial War: The Flesh Warfare of Saints is Against: The Flesh Warfare of Saints: To be Carried On with Self-Denial Winning