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.
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.
- KJV 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.
- 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.
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 2:5Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules.
- Rev 2:10Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.
- 1 Tim 6:12Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
- 2 Tim 4:7–8I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
- 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.
- Rev 3:11I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.
- 2 Pet 1:6and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control perseverance; and in perseverance godliness;
- 1 Pet 5:4When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away.
- 1 Pet 1:4to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you,
- Eph 6:12–18For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
- Gal 5:23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
- Heb 12:28Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can’t be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,
- Heb 12:4You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin;
- 1 Cor 15:54But when this perishable body will have become imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
- Titus 1:8but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled;
- Rev 4:10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying,
- Titus 2:2that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance:
- Rev 4:4Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads.
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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.
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