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 it all for the sake of the Good News, so that I might be a fellow partaker of it. 24Don’t you know that in a stadium the runners all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win! Every competitor exercises self-control in all respects. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we do it to receive an imperishable one. 26So I run in this way—not aimlessly. So I box in this way—not beating the air. 27Rather, I punish my body and bring it into submission, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not 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 our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the worldly forces of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
• 1 Timothy 6:12Fight the good fight of faith! Take hold of the eternal life—you were called to it, and you made the good confession for it in the presence of many witnesses.
• 2 Timothy 2:5Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned victorious unless he competes according to the rules.
• 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.
• Hebrews 12:4In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of bloodshed.
• 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, patience; and to patience, godliness;
• 1 Corinthians 15:54But when this corruptible will have put on incorruptibility and this mortal will have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
• 2 Timothy 4:8In the future there is reserved for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not to me only, but also to everyone who has longed for His appearing.
• Hebrews 12:28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude—through this we may offer worship in a manner pleasing to God, with reverence and awe.
• James 1:12Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love Him.
• 1 Peter 1:4An incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading inheritance has been reserved in heaven for you.
• 1 Peter 5:4When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
• Revelation 2:10Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and 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 4:4Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders dressed in white clothes with golden 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