Run (5143) (trecho from dremo = to run or walk hastily) means literally to move faster than a walk, making rapid linear movement. To speed on or to make progress. Trecho therefore describes someone in haste (Mt 28:8, Mk 5:6, Jn 20:2, 4, Lk 24:12). Figuratively trecho describes rapid propagation of doctrine, spreading without restraint (2Th 3:1). It also pictures one exerting effort, striving hard, spending strength to attain a goal (Ro 9:16, Gal 5:7, 2:2, Php 2:16, He 12:1). In Gal 5:7 trecho describes the course of the conduct. Webster says to run is "to go steadily by springing steps so that both feet leave the ground for an instant in each step." In 1Cor 9:24, 26 Paul uses trecho to emphasize the preparation and effort necessary to run spiritually and not with the intent of defeating rivals (as in the actual Olympics) for our fellow believers are not our rivals in this grace race! BDAG characterizes the figurative use of trecho as "to make an effort to advance spiritually or intellectually." in LXX trecho is used to describe the running of a warrior in battle. In the Septuagint it meant to run (Ge 18:7; 1Ki 18:46), and in a figurative sense it was used of following the commandments of God (Ps 119:32), or running into lies (61:4), or being immoral in the sense of “running in the way of immorality” (4 Macc. 14:5). In the NT we see the figurative use of trecho describing the Word (the Gospel) as the authorized messenger of the Lord a picture which is also applied to the prophets as His ''runners'' (2Th 3:1) Trecho - 20x in 17v in the NAS - ran(7), run(7), running(3), runs(1), rushing(1), spread rapidly(1). Matthew 27:48 Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink. Matthew 28:8 And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. Mark 5:6 Seeing Jesus from a distance, he (Gadarene demoniac) ran up and bowed down before Him (Mk 5:7) Mark 15:36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, "Let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down." Luke 15:20 "So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Luke 24:12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened. John 20:2 So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him."...Jn 20:4 The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first; Romans 9:16-note So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. Comment: Here trecho means to "exert oneself to the limit of one’s powers in an attempt to go forward, strive to advance...the emphasis is entirely on the effort that the person makes." (BDAG) 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; Galatians 2:2 It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. Comment: Paul describes his missionary work of dispensing the gospel in "race terms" and did not want that race to be void of fruit (converts, disciples growing in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ). His great desire was to finish his course with joy (Acts 20:24; Gal. 2:2; Php. 2:16; 3:12, 13, 14). Galatians 5:7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? Philippians 2:16-note holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you Comment: If this verse doesn't excite you, I'm not sure what will -- the "Gospel with legs!". The OT parallel passage is Ps 147:15 concerning which Spurgeon comments His messages fly throughout his dominions: upon earth his warrants are executed as well as in heaven. From his church his word goes forth; from Zion he missions the nations with the word of life. His word runs very swiftly: his purposes of love are speedily accomplished. Oriental monarchs laboured hard to establish rapid postal communication; the desire, will, and command of the Lord flash in an instant from pole to pole, yea, from heaven to earth. We who dwell in the centre of the Lord's dominions may exceedingly rejoice that to the utmost extremity of the realm the divine commandment speeds with sure result, and is not hindered by distance or time. The Lord can deliver his people right speedily, or send them supplies immediately from his courts above. God's commands in nature and providence are fiats against which no opposition is ever raised; say, rather, to effect which all things rush onward with alacrity. The expressions in the text are so distinctly in the present that they are meant to teach us the present mission and efficiency of the word of the Lord, and thus to prompt us to present praise. Ralph Robinson - There is not a moment between the shooting out of the arrow and the fastening of it in the mark; both are done in the very same atom and point of time. Therefore we read in the Scripture of the immediate effects of the word of Christ. Saith he to the leprous man; "Be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed": Matthew 8:3. And to the blind man, "Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight"; Mark 10:52. No arrow makes so immediate an impression in the mark aimed at as the arrow of Christ's word. No sooner doth Christ say to the soul, Be enlightened, be quickened, be comforted, but the work is done. (note) Hebrews 12:1-note Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Revelation 9:9-note They had breastplates like breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to battle. Trecho - 59x in 54v in the non-apocryphal Septuagint (LXX) - Ge 18:7; 24:20, 28f; 29:12f; Nu 16:47; Josh 7:22; Jdg 7:21; 10" class="scriptRef">13:10; 15:14; 1Sa 3:5; 4:12; 10:23; 17:51; 20:6, 36; 2Sa 18:19, 22, 23, 24, 26" class="scriptRef">26; 22:30; 1 Kgs 18:46; 2 Kgs 4:22, 26; 5:20f; 11:13; 2Chr 23:12; 30:6, 10; 35:13; Job 15:26; 16:14; 41:22; Ps 19:5; 59:4; 62:4; 119:32; 147:15; Pr 1:16; 4:12; 7:23; Song 1:4; Isa 40:31; 59:7; Jer 8:6; 12:5; 23:21; Da 8:6; Joel 2:7, 9; Zech 2:4. Ps 147:15-note He sends forth His command to the earth; His Word runs very swiftly. The TDNT comments that in the Septuagint (LXX) - trecho occurs in Job 41:14 for “to leap,” in Gen. 18:7 for “to run,” in 2 Kgs. 4:22 for “to ride.” In addition to professional runners, there are those who run for everyday reasons, e.g., to bring good news or to save life (2 Sam. 18:19; Prov. 7:23). Elijah runs when the hand of God is on him (1 Kgs. 18:46). Prophets run even when God has not sent them (Jer. 23:21). This may be related to the spreading of the message or we may have the transferred sense of reading with ease. God’s word runs swiftly (Ps. 147:15), God seems to run against Job like a warrior (Job 16:14), and sinners run as in battle against God (15:26). Running the way of God’s commandments is an emphatic form of walking (Ps. 119:32). The seven martyrs in 4 Macc. 14:5 run the way of immortality by fearlessly hastening to death. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) On a businessman’s desk set the following sign: In 20 years what will you wish you had done today? Do it now! To which Erwin Lutzer responds "Do you want to win the race? Whatever it takes, just “Do it now!” +++ In such a way (3779)(houto) means in such a manner. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air (the single minded focus, specific aim, desire for every action to count). 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