Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air.
Parallel translations
- WEB I therefore run like that, not aimlessly. I fight like that, not beating the air,
- KJV I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
- NKJV Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
- NASB Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air;
- NLT So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.
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
Paul runs with clear purpose, not aimlessly, and fights not like a boxer flailing at the air. His spiritual effort is focused and intentional.
Overview
Continuing the athletic imagery, Paul describes his own life as a runner with a definite goal and a boxer who lands real blows. He does nothing in vain or without aim. This models the deliberate, disciplined Christian life he commends to the Corinthians—purposeful in pursuing holiness and ministry rather than drifting. Every effort is directed toward the eternal prize and faithful service to Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- 2 Tim 2:5Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.
- 2 Pet 1:10Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,
- Phil 1:21For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
- Col 1:29To this end I also labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me.
- 2 Tim 1:12For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.
- Luke 13:24“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.
- 1 Pet 5:1As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:
- Eph 6:12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
- 1 Cor 14:9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.
- 2 Cor 5:1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
- 2 Cor 5:8We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
- Heb 4:1Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it.
- Matt 11:12From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it.
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 9:26 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.