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.
Parallel translations
- WEB Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.
- BSB Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.
- NKJV And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
- NASB Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
- NLT All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
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
Every competitor exercises strict self-control to win a perishable crown; believers do so for an imperishable one. Eternal reward makes Christian self-discipline supremely worthwhile.
Overview
Paul notes that athletes endure rigorous training and self-denial for a fading wreath of leaves. How much more should believers practice self-control, since their goal is an eternal, incorruptible crown (cf. 2 Tim 4:8; 1 Pet 5:4). The contrast between the perishable and imperishable prize motivates wholehearted devotion. The Christian's disciplined life is not joyless asceticism but purposeful pursuit of lasting glory in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- 2 Tim 2:5And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
- Rev 2:10Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
- 1 Tim 6:12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
- 2 Tim 4:7–8I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
- Jas 1:12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
- Rev 3:11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
- 2 Pet 1:6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
- 1 Pet 5:4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
- 1 Pet 1:4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
- Eph 6:12–18For 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.
- Gal 5:23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
- Heb 12:28Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
- Heb 12:4Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
- 1 Cor 15:54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
- Titus 1:8But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
- Rev 4:10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
- Titus 2:2That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
- Rev 4:4And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
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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 9:25 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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