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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

Context of 1 Corinthians 9:24

22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 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. 25Everyone 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. 26Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Know yeεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• notοὐou · noG3756
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• they whichὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• runτρέχωtrechō · to runG5143
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• a raceστάδιοςstadion · stadiumG4712
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• ·μένmen · on the other handG3303
• butδέde · thenG1161
• oneεἷςheis · oneG1520
• receivethλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
• the prizeβραβεῖονbrabeion · prizeG1017
• Soοὕτωςhoutō · thus(-ly)G3779
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• ye may obtainκαταλαμβάνωkatalambanō · to graspG2638

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 9:24

• Hosea 12:10I spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions and told parables through them.”
• Psalms 19:5It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
• Ecclesiastes 9:11I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.
• Jeremiah 12:5“If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?
• 1 Corinthians 9:26Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
• Galatians 2:2I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain.
• Galatians 5:7You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?
• Philippians 2:16as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
• Philippians 3:14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
• 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
• Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
• James 1:12Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
• Revelation 3:11I am coming soon. Hold on 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