Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church, mid-argument about his own discipline for the gospel (v. 23) and the contrast between perishable and imperishable crowns (v. 25).
The words — stadiō (G4712) is the track itself, the enclosed arena of the Greek games, not an open-road race; trechō (G5143) is a present participle, "running," marking an activity in progress rather than a one-time act.
The thread — The same athletic metaphor recurs in Philippians 3:14 (pressing toward the goal), Hebrews 12:1 (running the race), and 2 Timothy 4:7 (finishing the race).
Why it lands — The imperative is blunt: run so that you take the prize, which means every step must be oriented toward a definite end, not merely forward motion.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Cross-references
- Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.
- Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.
- 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
- Revelation 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
- Philippians 2:16 as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
- 1 Corinthians 9:26 Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air.
- Galatians 5:7 You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth?
- Jeremiah 12:5 “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in a peaceful land, how will you do in the thickets of the Jordan?
- Galatians 2:2 I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I spoke privately to those recognized as leaders, for fear that I was running or had already run in vain.
- James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.