1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Self denial urged in view of the heavenly crown. Power is no self guiding instinct in itself. To be true power, it must be directed by something higher than its own nature. A vast fund of power is laid up within us, and of it two things may be said, viz. the amount of power abstractly considered is far greater than we can use; and, again, our available power must be held under check. As to the former, capacity in every man exceeds ability, and much of our education consists in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Spiritual athletics. Paul compares the Christian life to a foot race and to a boxing contest. These were familiar to the Corinthians, being conspicuous features of the celebrated Isthmian games. A wise teacher speaks through things known of things unknown. Christ spoke in parables. Passing events may be made the vehicles of abiding truths. The secular may often illustrate the sacred. There is no loss of dignity or impropriety in such modes of instruction. Some people are shocked by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The race for the prize. The thought introduced in 1 Corinthians 9:23 , that Paul's self denial had a reference to his own salvation as well as the salvation of others, is here carried on and applied generally to all Christians. The imagery is derived from the Isthmian games celebrated in the neighbourhood of Corinth, and therefore well known to his readers. These games occupied a place in the national life of Greece corresponding to that occupied by the great yearly festivals in the life... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Running and fighting. The crown of eternal life is here set forth as the issue of successful conflict with difficulties and foes. It would seem as if all Divine excellence must needs present itself to our minds as the negation of opposite forms of evil. We cannot think of God but as the "Light" that contends with our darkness, the "Fire" that consumes our corruption. God's Law is but the Divine restraint of our wayward propensities, the Divine rebuke of our trangressions. The Divine life... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The laws of the Christian race. The illustration used in these verses is one which St. Paul frequently employs, and we cannot but think that he must have actually seen some of these games, for the impression made by them on his mind is that which comes from personal observation and impression rather than from knowledge through books. There is special force in his allusions to the games in writing to the Corinthians, because the set of games known as the Isthmian were held in the isthmus on... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:24

Know 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 doing it he could better advance the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

1 Corinthians 9:24-25. Know ye not that In those famous games, which are kept in the isthmus, near your city; they who run in a race Εν σταδιω , in the stadium, (so the place was called where the athletes contended,) run indeed all And contend one with another; but one Only of them all; receiveth the prize Whereas in the Christian race, the success of one is no hinderance to that of others. How much greater encouragement then have you to run, since you may all receive the prize of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Necessity for self-discipline (9:24-27)Christianity is a life of effort. As runners in a race strain to the full to win the prize, so Christians should put all their effort into whatever they do (24). As athletes undergo strict training in their pursuit of victory, so Christians should deny themselves lawful pleasures and foods in order to be more useful for God (25). Paul has purpose and effort in all that he does. He is like a runner who heads for the finishing line or a boxer who aims to... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 9:24

race = race-course. Greek. stadion. Elsewhere translated "furlong", the course being usually of this length. prize . Greek. brabeion. Only here and Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:14 . Compare the verb, Colossians 3:15 . (rule). So . i.e. as these runners do. obtain = lay hold of. Greek. katalambano. See Acts 4:13 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:24

Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so, run that ye may attain.There are important differences, as well as similarities, in such a contest as Paul referred to here. Analogies are: (1) to win; a man must contend legally, being properly enrolled in the contest, suggesting that a Christian must contend along with others in the church, and not as some kind of free-lance operator; (2) discipline is required (Hebrews 12:1); (3) some win; others do not... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:24

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 9:24

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:24

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