1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:26

Verse 26 26.I therefore so run He returns to speak of himself, that his doctrine may have the more weight, on his setting himself forward by way of pattern. What. he says here some refer to assurance of hope — (Hebrews 6:11) — “I do not run in vain, nor do I run the risk of losing my labor, for I have the Lord’s promise, which never deceives.” It rather appears to me, however, that his object is to direct the course of believers straight forward toward the goal, that it may not be wavering and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:27

Verse 27 27.But I keep under my body (516) Budaeus reads Observo ; (I keep a watch over;) but in my opinion the Apostle has employed the word ὑπωπιάζειν (517) here, to mean treating in a servile manner (518) For he declares that he does not indulge self, but restrains his inclinations — which cannot be accomplished unless the body is tamed, and, by being held back from its inclinations, is habituated to subjection, like a wild and refractory steed. The ancient monks, with a view to yield... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:1-27

The rights and the self denial of an apostle. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all? They as Corinthians would well know the full bearing of every illustration derived from the triennial Isthmian games, which were the chief glory of their city, and which at this period had even thrown the Olympic games into the shade. The words "in a race," are rather, in the stadium. The traces of the great Corinthian stadium, where the games were held and the races run, are still visible on the isthmus. This metaphor of "the race," which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

The Christian race. Nothing could be more natural, more effective, than an allusion of this kind, occurring as it does in a letter to residents at Corinth. The Isthmian games, celebrated in the neighbourhood of their own city, were to the inhabitants of this famous place a matter of the greatest concern and interest. The gathering of representatives from all parts of Greece to witness the athletic contests which took place in the stadium of the isthmus, gave dignity and solemnity to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-26

The Christian race. "Know ye not that they which run in a race, run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 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. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air." The Christian life is a race, and we are exhorted to run that the prize may be obtained. "So run." How? I. Run in the PRESCRIBED... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Exhortation to earnestness as a corollary from the principles here stated. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:26

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:27

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:1-27

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-26

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

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