1 Corinthians 9:19-27
New King James Version
Serving All Men
19 For though I am (A)free from all men, (B)I have made myself a servant to all, (C)that I might win the more; 20 and (D)to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the [a]law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 (E)to (F)those who are without law, as without law (G)(not being without [b]law toward God, but under [c]law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 (H)to the weak I became [d]as weak, that I might win the weak. (I)I have become all things to all men, (J)that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
Striving for a Crown
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? (K)Run in such a way that you may [e]obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize [f]is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for (L)an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: (M)not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 (N)But I discipline my body and (O)bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become (P)disqualified.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Corinthians 9:20 NU adds though not being myself under the law
- 1 Corinthians 9:21 NU God’s law
- 1 Corinthians 9:21 NU Christ’s law
- 1 Corinthians 9:22 NU omits as
- 1 Corinthians 9:24 win
- 1 Corinthians 9:25 exercises self-control
1 Corinthians 9:19-27
New International Version
Paul’s Use of His Freedom
19 Though I am free(A) and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,(B) to win as many as possible.(C) 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.(D) To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),(E) so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law(F) (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),(G) so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.(H) I have become all things to all people(I) so that by all possible means I might save some.(J) 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
The Need for Self-Discipline
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?(K) Run(L) in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown(M) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.(N) 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;(O) I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.(P) 27 No, I strike a blow to my body(Q) and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.(R)
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