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.
• New International Version (NIV)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.
• 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.

Context of 1 Corinthians 9:25

23I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. 24Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 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. 26So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

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 we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
• 1 Timothy 6:12Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.
• 2 Timothy 2:5And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.
• 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
• Hebrews 12:4After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
• Galatians 5:23gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
• 2 Peter 1:6and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness,
• 1 Corinthians 15:54Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory.
• 2 Timothy 4:8And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
• Hebrews 12:28Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.
• James 1:12God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
• 1 Peter 1:4and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.
• 1 Peter 5:4And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
• Revelation 2:10Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
• Revelation 3:11I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.
• Revelation 4:4Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns 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