And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
Parallel translations
- WEB Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules.
- BSB Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.
- NKJV And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
- NASB And if someone likewise competes as an athlete, he is not crowned as victor unless he competes according to the rules.
- NLT And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.
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
An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. Faithful service requires obedience to God's standards, not merely effort.
Overview
The second image, the athlete, teaches that endurance must be disciplined and lawful to be rewarded. There is a way of serving Christ that accords with his commands, and only such faithful striving receives the victor's crown. The verse points ahead to the eternal reward awaiting those who serve rightly.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- 1 Cor 9:24–27Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
- Rev 3:11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
- 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.
- Col 1:29Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
- Luke 13:24Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
- Phil 1:15Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
- Heb 2:7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
- 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 Pet 5:4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
- Heb 2:9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
- Heb 12:4Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
- 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,
- 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.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Christ Jesus 'abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel' — the risen Lord whose word and kingdom endure to the end.
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Original language
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