Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize.
Parallel translations
- WEB Don’t you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, that you may win.
- KJV Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
- NKJV Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
- NASB 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.
- NLT Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
In a race all the runners compete, but only one wins the prize—so run to win. The Christian life calls for wholehearted, disciplined effort.
Overview
Paul draws on the familiar Isthmian games near Corinth to urge earnestness in the Christian life. As athletes strive to win, so believers must pursue their calling with focused determination. The point is not that only one Christian is saved, but that each should run with the wholehearted intensity of one seeking the prize. This exhortation flows from his own self-discipline for the gospel's sake.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Phil 3:14I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.
- Heb 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.
- 2 Tim 4:7–8I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
- Rev 3:11I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
- Phil 2:16as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
- Gal 5:7You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth?
- 1 Cor 9:26Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air.
- Jer 12:5“If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in a peaceful land, how will you do in the thickets of the Jordan?
- Jas 1:12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
- Gal 2:2I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I spoke privately to those recognized as leaders, for fear that I was running or had already run in vain.
- Eccl 9:11I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither is the bread to the wise, nor the wealth to the intelligent, nor the favor to the skillful. For time and chance happen to all.
- Ps 19:5Like a bridegroom emerging from his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course,
- Col 2:18Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind.
- Hos 12:10I spoke through the prophets and multiplied their visions; I gave parables through the prophets.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 9:24 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.