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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

Context of 1 Corinthians 9:25

23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 24Do 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. 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. 26Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

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, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
• 1 Timothy 6:12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
• 2 Timothy 2:5Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.
• 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
• Hebrews 12:4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
• Galatians 5:23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
• 2 Peter 1:6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
• 1 Corinthians 15:54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
• 2 Timothy 4:8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
• Hebrews 12:28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
• 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.
• 1 Peter 1:4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,
• 1 Peter 5:4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
• Revelation 2:10Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
• Revelation 3:11I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
• Revelation 4:4Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had 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