1 Corinthians 9:24

1 Corinthians 9:24 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
• New International Version (NIV)Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

Context of 1 Corinthians 9:24

22To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak; I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some. 23I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air;

1 Corinthians 9:24 word by word

Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι οἱ ἐν σταδίῳ τρέχοντες πάντες μὲν τρέχουσιν, εἷς δὲ λαμβάνει τὸ βραβεῖον; οὕτως τρέχετε ἵνα καταλάβητε.Read the interlinear

• that thoseὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• who runτρέχωtrechō · to runG5143
• in a raceστάδιοςstadion · stadiumG4712
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• oneεἷςheis · oneG1520
• receivesλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
• the prizeβραβεῖονbrabeion · prizeG1017
• inοὕτωςhoutō · thus(-ly)G3779
• that you may winκαταλαμβάνωkatalambanō · to graspG2638

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 9:24

• Hosea 12:10I have also spoken to the prophets, And I provided many visions, And through the prophets I spoke in parables.
• Psalms 19:5Which is like a groom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices like a strong person to run his course.
• Ecclesiastes 9:11I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning, nor favor to the skillful; for time and chance overtake them all.
• Jeremiah 12:5“If you have run with infantrymen and they have tired you out, How can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, How will you do in the thicket by the Jordan?
• 1 Corinthians 9:26Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air;
• Galatians 2:2It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that somehow I might be running, or had run, in vain.
• Galatians 5:7You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?
• Philippians 2:16holding firmly the word of life, so that on the day of Christ I can take pride because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.
• Philippians 3:14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
• 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
• Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us,
• James 1:12Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
• Revelation 3:11I am coming quickly; hold firmly to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 9:24

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 24They which run in a race run all - It is sufficiently evident that the apostle alludes to the athletic exercises in the games which were celebrated every fifth year on the isthmus, or narrow neck of land, which joins the Peloponnesus, or Morea, to the main land; and were thence termed the Isthmian games. The exercises were running, wrestling, boxing, throwing the discus or quoit, etc.; to the three first of these the apostle especially alludes. But one…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 24Know ye not … - In the remainder of this chapter, Paul illustrates the general sentiment on which he had been dwelling - the duty of practicing self-denial for the salvation of others - by a reference to the well known games which were celebrated near Corinth. Throughout the chapter, his object had been to show that in declining to receive a support for preaching, he had done it, not because he was conscious that he had no claim to it, but because by…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. 2424. Know ye not--The Isthmian games, in which the foot race was a leading one, were of course well known, and a subject of patriotic pride to the Corinthians, who lived in the immediate neighborhood. These periodical games were to the Greeks rather a passion than a mere amusement: hence their suitableness as an image of Christian earnestness. in a race--Greek, "in a race course." all ... one--Although we knew that one alone could be saved, still it Would…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 9:24

• Games
• Prize
• Race
• Righteous

In the dictionaries

• Crown
• Ephesus
• 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