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.
Parallel translations
- KJV Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
- BSB 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.
- 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 for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
- Heb 12:1Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,
- 2 Tim 4:7–8I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
- Rev 3:11I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.
- Phil 2:16holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn’t run in vain nor labor in vain.
- Gal 5:7You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth?
- 1 Cor 9:26I therefore run like that, not aimlessly. I fight like that, not beating the air,
- Jer 12:5“If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? Though in a land of peace you are secure, yet how will you do in the pride of the Jordan?
- Jas 1:12Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him.
- Gal 2:2I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.
- Eccl 9:11I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.
- Ps 19:5which is as a bridegroom coming out of his room, like a strong man rejoicing to run his course.
- Col 2:18Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshiping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
- Hos 12:10I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables.
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
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