Keraia
1 Corinthians 9

1 Corinthians 9:27

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

Translations

Modern
No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Traditional
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 be a castaway.
Literal
But I batter my body and bring it into servitude, lest somehow, having preached to others, I myself might be disqualified.
Latin
…sed castigo corpus meum, et in servitutem redigo: ne forte cum aliis prædicaverim, ipse reprobus efficiar.

Original

Greek
English
No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Notes

1 Corinthians 9:27

I myself will not be disqualified: Those disqualified from a sporting event cannot win the prize. To avoid losing the eternal prize, Paul disciplined himself strictly, like an athlete, to stay close to Christ and avoid sin (see 9:25; Hebrews 12:1).

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 Exodus, the First Letter to the Corinthians Gymnasium Perseverance Sanctification Second Letter to the Corinthians

Topics

Affections: Carnal, should be Mortified Apostasy: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Appetite: Kept in Subjection Captivity: Figurative Christian Conduct: Controlling the Body Christian Minister: Character and Attributes of Continence: General Scriptures Concerning Fall Away Falling Away Healthy Eating Idle Words Lasciviousness: General Scriptures Concerning Lust: Evil Desire Ministers: should be Self-Denying Once Saved Always Saved Physical Fitness Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Self Control Self Discipline Self-control Self-Denial: Danger of Neglecting Self-Denial: General Scriptures Concerning Self-Denial: Necessary: To the Triumph of Saints Self-Denial: Paul Stoicism: Paul Teaches: That the Body Must be Kept Under Subjection Temperance: General Scriptures Concerning The Affections: Carnal Affections should be Mortified 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 Watchfulness: General Scriptures Concerning Weak in Flesh