THE RACE FOR THE PRIZE

1 Corinthians 9:24 - 27

24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 

25  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. 

26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 

27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 

The Apostle Paul from time to time in

his letters would use references to

athletic events or physical activity to

get a spiritual point across to his

readers.

Galatians 2:2 (KJV 1900)

And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

THE RACE FOR THE PRIZE

1 - YOU CAN’T WIN IF YOU DON’T RUN

24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 

Look at the last phase of that verse,

So run, that ye may obtain. If you don’t

get in the race you can’t win. Paul

draws on a scene familiar to his

Corinthian readers in order to drive

home his point. The Isthmian Games

were an athletic event known to all of

his readers. They were held on

alternate summers in the vicinity of

Corinth. It was an event not to be

missed by anyone of importance in all

parts of Greece. As a national

institution it was as familiar to his

readers as modern football is to most

Americans. *

YOU CAN’T WIN IF YOU DON’T RUN

2 - YOU MUST DENY YOURSELF

25  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. 

25(TLB)  To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. 

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (9:24–25)

Paul’s commitment to this course of

ministry did not come easily. It

required personal discipline (strict

training) like that of an athlete who

strove for supremacy in his field. To

that end Paul willingly gave up

certain privileges which might

otherwise be his to enjoy so that he

could win the prize. The prize for Paul

was not the temporary crown given

by men but the eternal crown

given by Christ. *

YOU MUST DENY YOURSELF

3 - DON’T DISQUALIFY YOURSELF

26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 

27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (9:26–27)

Paul’s words of becoming “all things

to all men” (v. 22) could have been

construed as the aimless capitulation

of an unprincipled man. But it was

just the opposite! Every move made

in the course of his race was

calculated to further his pursuit of

the prize (cf. Phil. 3:13–14)

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 

14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 

Every blow struck was meant to land

squarely on his opponent and send

him reeling from the contest.

Ephesians 6:12 (KJV 1900)

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

James 4:7 (KJV 1900)

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. *

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (9:26–27)

To achieve his goal of making sure his

punches landed, Paul would not let

his body master him (cf. 1 Cor. 6:12)

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 

Sometimes he denied even his body’s

demand for rightful privileges and

pleasures. (1 Cor. 8:9) But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 

Paul denied himself for a greater

good (1 Cor. 10:33) Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 

Take another look at the last words of

verse 27 ............. lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 

Paul’s words are clear. He has shared

the Gospel with others. Many have

gotten saved and some have become

preachers themselves, this does not

guarantee him a victorious finish.

Paul held out the possibility that

even he could be disqualified for the

prize. The Greek word translated

literally means “unapproved.” In

other contexts it was applied to the

unsaved Romans 1:28 (KJV 1900)

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. 

Here Paul was not addressing the issue

of salvation, nor for that matter was

even the prize specifically in mind.

Rather, he seemed concerned with

continuance in the race.

David K. Lowery, “1 Corinthians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 525.

The though of being a castaway

conveys the idea of failing the test or

being rejected after testing. Paul is

not referring merely to the loss of a

reward. What he recognizes is the

possibility that he may fail to get the

prize, the inheritance of final

salvation, if he stopped living a holy

life, enduring hardship while denying

himself and exercising self control.

YOU CAN’T WIN IF YOU DON’T RUN

YOU MUST DENY YOURSELF

DON’T DISQUALIFY YOURSELF

Galatians 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.