1 Corinthians 9:25-26

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 9:25

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 9:25

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 9:25

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

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 9:24-25

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

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