1 Corinthians 9:19-27

Holman Christian Standard Bible

¹⁹ Although I am a free man and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win^(A) more people. ²⁰ To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law^[a]—to win those under the law.^{(B) 21} To those who are without that law,^(C) like one without the law—not being without God’s law but within Christ’s law—to win those without the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some.^{(D) 23} Now I do all this because of the gospel, so I may become a partner in its benefits.^[b]

²⁴ Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race,^(E) but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.^{(F) 25} Now everyone who competes exercises self-control^(G) in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown^(H) that will fade away,^(I) but we a crown that will never fade away. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. ²⁷ Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.^(J)