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1 Corinthians 9:19-27
English Standard Version
1 Corinthians 9:19-27
English Standard Version
19 For (A)though I am free from all, (B)I have made myself a servant to all, that I might (C)win more of them. 20 (D)To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To (E)those outside the law I became (F)as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but (G)under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 (H)To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. (I)I have become all things to all people, that (J)by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, (K)that I may share with them in its blessings.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives (L)the prize? So (M)run that you may obtain it. 25 Every (N)athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we (O)an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I (P)do not box as one (Q)beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and (R)keep it under control,[a] lest after preaching to others (S)I myself should be (T)disqualified.
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- 1 Corinthians 9:27 Greek I pummel my body and make it a slave
1 Corinthians 9:19-27
New International Version
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)
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.