24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives (A)the prize? So (B)run that you may obtain it. 25 Every (C)athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we (D)an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I (E)do not box as one (F)beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and (G)keep it under control,[a] lest after preaching to others (H)I myself should be (I)disqualified.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 9:27 Greek I pummel my body and make it a slave

24 Don’t you know that all the runners in the stadium run, but only one gets the prize? So run to win. 25 Everyone who competes practices self-discipline in everything. The runners do this to get a crown of leaves that shrivel up and die, but we do it to receive a crown that never dies. 26 So now this is how I run—not without a clear goal in sight. I fight like a boxer in the ring, not like someone who is shadowboxing. 27 Rather, I’m landing punches on my own body and subduing it like a slave. I do this to be sure that I myself won’t be disqualified after preaching to others.

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