1 Corinthians 9:24-26 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

In these verses the apostle hints at the great encouragement he had to act in this manner. He had a glorious prize, an incorruptible crown, in view. Upon this head he compares himself to the racers and combatants in the Isthmian games, an allusion well known to the Corinthians, because they were celebrated in their neighbourhood: ?Know you not that those who run in a race run all, but one obtaineth the prize? 1 Cor. 9:24. All run at your games, but only one gets the race and wins the crown.?... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

9:24-27 Are you not aware that those who run in the stadium all run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may win the prize. Now every athlete in the games practises complete self-discipline. They therefore do so to win a crown that quickly fades away; we do so to win a crown that never fades. I therefore so run as one who knows his goal; I fight, not like one who shadow-boxes; but I batter my body; I make it my slave; lest after I have preached to others I myself should fail to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24

Know ye not that they which run in a race ,.... The allusion in this and the following verses is to the Grecian games, which consisted, among other things, of running of races, and of wrestling, combating, and fighting; and which are in this and the context particularly mentioned: and the apostle the rather makes use of these terms, and refers to these things, because they were well known to the Corinthians, and refers to them as well known; for the Isthmian games were performed in their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:25

And every man that striveth for the mastery ,.... Either in running a race, or in wrestling; for the word here used agrees with both, and both are in the context referred to, nor has the apostle as yet done with his allusion to running in a race; is temperate in all things ; contains himself from venery, abstains from certain sorts of food, which tend to hinder the agility, or weaken the strength of the body; and indulges not himself in sloth and idleness, but exercises himself in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:26

I therefore so run ,.... The apostle animates the Corinthians by his own example, telling them that he ran so as he exhorted them; he ran with cheerfulness and swiftness in the way marked out for him, looking to Jesus; continuing steadfast in the profession of his faith, and discharge of his duty as a Christian, and in preaching the Gospel as a minister; and nothing had he more at heart, than to finish his course with joy: not as uncertainly ; as one that knew not, or was in doubt about... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:24

They which run in a race run all - It is sufficiently evident that the apostle alludes to the athletic exercises in the games which were celebrated every fifth year on the isthmus, or narrow neck of land, which joins the Peloponnesus, or Morea, to the main land; and were thence termed the Isthmian games. The exercises were running, wrestling, boxing, throwing the discus or quoit, etc.; to the three first of these the apostle especially alludes. But one receiveth the prize? - The apostle... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:25

Is 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: Θελεις Ολυμπια νικησαι; Δει σ ' ευτακτειν, αναγκοτροφειν, απεχεσθαι, πεμματων, γυμναζεσθαι προς αναγκην εν ὡρα τεταγμενη, εν καυματι, εν ψυχει, μη ψυχρον πινειν, μη οινον ὡς ετυχεν· ἁπλως, ὡς ιατρῳ, παραδεδωκεναι σεαυτον τῳ επιστατη· ειτα εις τον αγωνα παρερχεσθαι· κ. τ. λ. "Do you wish to gain the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:26

I 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 αδηλως , which we translate uncertainly, has other meanings. It signifies ignorantly; I do not run like one ignorant of what he is about, or of the laws of the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:24

Verse 24 24.Know ye not, that they who run in a race. He has laid down the doctrine, and now, with the view of impressing it upon the minds of the Corinthians, he adds an exhortation. He states briefly, that what they had hitherto attained was nothing, unless they steadfastly persevered, inasmuch as it is not enough to have once entered on the Lord’s way, if they do not strive until they reach the goal, agreeably to that declaration of Christ — He that shall endure unto the end, etc. (Matthew... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:25

Verse 25 25.Now every one that striveth. As he had exhorted to perseverance, it remained to state in what way they must persevere. This second thing he now sets before them by a comparison taken from pugilists; not indeed in every particular, (513) but in so far as was required by the subject in hand, within which he confines himself — how far they ought to yield to the weakness of the brethren. Now he argues from the less to the greater, that it is an unseemly thing if we grudge to give up our... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:26

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:24

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:25

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:26

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:24

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:25

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