God’s Word Translation
1 Corinthians 9:26
26So I run—but not without a clear goal ahead of me. So I box—but not as if I were just shadow boxing.
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
24Don’t you realize that everyone who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner gets the prize? Run like them, so that you can win. 25Everyone who enters an athletic contest goes into strict training. They do it to win a temporary crown, but we do it to win one that will be permanent. So I run—but not without a clear goal ahead of me. So I box—but not as if I were just shadow boxing. 27Rather, I toughen my body with punches and make it my slave so that I will not be disqualified after I have spread the Good News to others.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 91 Corinthians 9:26 word by word
ἐγὼ τοίνυν οὕτως τρέχω ὡς οὐκ ἀδήλως, οὕτως πυκτεύω ὡς οὐκ ἀέρα δέρων·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 9:26
- 2 Corinthians 5:1We know that if the life we live here on earth is ever taken down like a tent, we still have a building from God. It is an eternal house in heaven that isn’t made by human hands.
- Philippians 1:21Christ means everything to me in this life, and when I die I’ll have even more.
- 2 Timothy 1:12For this reason I suffer as I do. However, I’m not ashamed. I know whom I trust. I’m convinced that he is able to protect what he had entrusted to me until that day.
- 2 Timothy 2:5Whoever enters an athletic competition wins the prize only when playing by the rules.
- Hebrews 4:1God’s promise that we may enter his place of rest still stands. We are afraid that some of you think you won’t enter his place of rest.
- 1 Peter 5:1I appeal to your spiritual leaders. I make this appeal as a spiritual leader who also witnessed Christ’s sufferings and will share in the glory that will be revealed.
- 2 Peter 1:10Therefore, brothers and sisters, use more effort to make God’s calling and choosing of you secure. If you keep doing this, you will never fall away.
- Matthew 11:12From the time of John the Baptizer until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful people have been seizing it.
- Luke 13:24“Try hard to enter through the narrow door. I can guarantee that many will try to enter, but they won’t succeed.
- Ephesians 6:12This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world.
- Colossians 1:29I work hard and struggle to do this while his mighty power works in 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
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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