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Matthew Henry

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 9:27

But I keep under my body ,.... The allusion is still to fighters, who, by cuffing and boxing, give their antagonists black and blue eyes, which is the proper signification of the word here used: so it is said F21 Hesychius de Philosophis, p. 48. of Menedemus, that in questions or scholastic exercises, he was so vehement and pugnacious, that he never departed without υπωπια φερων , "carrying away black and blue eyes". This is not to be understood by the apostle of his natural body,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:27

But I keep under my body, etc. - This is an allusion, not only to boxers, but also to wrestlers in the same games, as we learn from the word ὑπωπιαζω , which signifies to hit in the eyes; and δουλαγωγω , which signifies to trip, and give the antagonist a fall, and then keep him down when he was down, and having obliged him to acknowledge himself conquered, make him a slave. The apostle considers his body as an enemy with which he must contend; he must mortify it by self-denial,... 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 9:24-27

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

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

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