1 Corinthians 9:25

1 Corinthians 9:25 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

Context of 1 Corinthians 9:25

23And I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings along with you. 24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours! Now every athlete who [goes into training and] competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things. They do it to win a crown that withers, but we [do it to receive] an imperishable [crown that cannot wither]. 26Therefore I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing]. 27But [like a boxer] I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached [the gospel] to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified [as unfit for service].

1 Corinthians 9:25 word by word

πᾶς δὲ ὁ ἀγωνιζόμενος πάντα ἐγκρατεύεται· ἐκεῖνοι μὲν οὖν ἵνα φθαρτὸν στέφανον λάβωσιν, ἡμεῖς δὲ ἄφθαρτον.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Andδέde · thenG1161
• every manπᾶςpas · allG3956
• striveth for the masteryἀγωνίζομαιagōnizomai · to struggleG75
• is temperateἐγκρατεύομαιegkrateuomai · to self-controlG1467
• Nowοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• theyἐκεῖνοςekeinos · thatG1565
• ·μένmen · on the other handG3303
• toἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• obtainλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
• a corruptibleφθαρτόςphthartos · perishableG5349
• crownστέφανοςstephanos · crownG4735
• weἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• an incorruptibleἄφθαρτοςaphthartos · incorruptibleG862

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 9:25

• Ephesians 6:12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.
• 1 Timothy 6:12Fight the good fight of the faith [in the conflict with evil]; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and [for which] you made the good confession [of faith] in the presence of many witnesses.
• 2 Timothy 2:5And if anyone competes as an athlete [in competitive games], he is not crowned [with the wreath of victory] unless he competes according to the rules.
• 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error].
• Hebrews 12:4You have not yet struggled to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;
• Galatians 5:23gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
• 2 Peter 1:6and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness,
• 1 Corinthians 15:54And when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then the Scripture will be fulfilled that says, “Death is swallowed up in victory (vanquished forever).
• 2 Timothy 4:8In the future there is reserved for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that [great] day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and longed for and welcomed His appearing.
• Hebrews 12:28Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and awe;
• James 1:12Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
• 1 Peter 1:4[born anew] into an inheritance which is imperishable [beyond the reach of change] and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,
• 1 Peter 5:4And when the Chief Shepherd (Christ) appears, you will receive the [conqueror’s] unfading crown of glory.
• Revelation 2:10Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. Be aware that the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested [in your faith], and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful to the point of death [if you must die for your faith], and I will give you the crown [consisting] of life.
• Revelation 3:11I am coming quickly. Hold tight what you have, so that no one will take your crown [by leading you to renounce the faith].
• Revelation 4:4Twenty-four [other] thrones surrounded the throne; and seated on these thrones were twenty-four elders dressed in white clothing, with crowns of gold on their heads.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 9:25

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 25Is temperate in all things - All those who contended in these exercises went through a long state and series of painful preparations. To this exact discipline Epictetus refers, cap. 35: ; ', , , , ̔ , , , , ̔ · ̔, ̔ ͅ, ͅ · · . . . "Do you wish to gain the prize at the Olympic games? - Consider the requisite preparations and the consequences: you must observe a strict regimen; must live on food which you dislike; you must abstain from all delicacies; must…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 25And every man that striveth for the mastery - ( ̔ ̓́ ho agōnizomenos). That “agonizes;” that is, that is engaged in the exercise of “wrestling, boxing,” or pitching the bar or quoit; compare the note at Luke 13:24. The sense is, everyone who endeavors to obtain a victory in these athletic exercises. Is temperate in all things - The word which is rendered “is temperate” ( ̓ egkrateuetai) denotes “abstinence” from all that would excite, stimulate, and…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 24-27Verses 24-27 The apostle compares himself to the racers and combatants in the Isthmian games, well known by the Corinthians. But in the Christian race all may run so as to obtain. There is the greatest encouragement, therefore, to persevere with all our strength, in this course. Those who ran in these games were kept to a spare diet. They used themselves to hardships. They practised the exercises. And those who pursue the interests of their souls, must…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 24-27To 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…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2525. striveth--in wrestling: a still more severe contest than the foot race. is temperate--So Paul exercised self-denial, abstaining from claiming sustenance for the sake of the "reward," namely, to "gain the more" (1Co 9:18, 19). corruptible--soon withering, as being only of fir leaves taken from the fir groves which surrounded the Isthmian race course or stadium. incorruptible--(1Pe 1:4; 5:4; Re 2:10). "Crown" here is not that of a king (which is…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 9:25

• Crown
• Hygiene
• Self-Denial
• Temperance
• War

In the dictionaries

• Agony
• Crown
• Ephesus
• Forbear
• Mastery
• Plow
• Wait
• Burden
• Continency
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings