1 Corinthians 9:26

1 Corinthians 9:26 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
• New International Version (NIV)Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
• English Standard Version (ESV)So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.

Context of 1 Corinthians 9:26

24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize. 25Everyone 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. Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. 27No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:26 word by word

ἐγὼ τοίνυν οὕτως τρέχω ὡς οὐκ ἀδήλως, οὕτως πυκτεύω ὡς οὐκ ἀέρα δέρων·Read the interlinear

• Thereforeτοίνυνtoinun · thenG5106
• Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• do not runτρέχωtrechō · to runG5143
• do not runοὐou · noG3756
• aimlesslyοὕτωςhoutō · thus(-ly)G3779
• aimlesslyὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• aimlesslyἀδήλωςadēlōs · uncertainlyG84
• I do not fightπυκτεύωpukteō · to boxG4438
• I am beatingδέρωderō · to beat upG1194
• airἀήρaēr · airG109

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 9:26

• 2 Corinthians 5:1For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
• Philippians 1:21For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
• 2 Timothy 1:12For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.
• 2 Timothy 2:5Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.
• Hebrews 4:1Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it.
• 1 Peter 5:1As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:
• 2 Peter 1:10Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,
• Matthew 11:12From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it.
• Luke 13:24“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.
• Ephesians 6:12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
• Colossians 1:29To this end I also labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 9:26

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly - In the foot-course in those games, how many soever ran, only one could have the prize, however strenuously they might exert themselves; therefore, all ran uncertainly; but it was widely different in the Christian course, if every one ran as he ought, each would receive the prize. The word , which we translate uncertainly, has other meanings. It signifies ignorantly; I do not run like one ignorant of what he is…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 26I therefore so run - In the Christian race; in my effort to obtain the prize, the crown of immortality. I exert myself to the utmost, that I may not fail of securing the crown. Not as uncertainly - ( ̓ ̓́ ouk adēlōs). This word occurs no where else in the New Testament. It usually means, in the Classic writers, “obscurely.” Here it means that he did not run as not knowing to what object he aimed. “I do not run haphazardly; I do not exert myself for…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. 26I do not fight like I am beating the air: Christians need to truly follow Christ instead of just acting like they do.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2626. I--Paul returns to his main subject, his own self-denial, and his motive in it. run, not as uncertainly--not as a runner uncertain of the goal. Ye Corinthians gain no end in your entering idol temples or eating idol meats. But I, for my part, in all my acts, whether in my becoming "all things to all men," or in receiving no sustenance from my converts, have a definite end in view, namely, to "gain the more." I know what 1 aim at, and how to aim at it…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 9:26

• Boxing
• Faith
• Games
• Self-Denial
• War

In the dictionaries

• Air
• Crown
• Forbear
• Mastery
• Plow
• Wait
• Burden
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Games
• Mystery

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