New Living Translation
1 Corinthians 9:26
26So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.
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 in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25All 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. So 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.
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 5:1For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.
- Philippians 1:21For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.
- 2 Timothy 1:12That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.
- 2 Timothy 2:5And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.
- Hebrews 4:1God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.
- 1 Peter 5:1And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you:
- 2 Peter 1:10So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.
- Matthew 11:12And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.
- Luke 13:24“Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.
- 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.
- Colossians 1:29That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within 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
New Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
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