1 Corinthians 9:24

1 Corinthians 9:24

Know ye not that they who run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain.

a. NLT: Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

b. NIV: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

c. YLT: have ye not known that those running in a race -- all indeed run, but one doth receive the prize? so run ye, that ye may obtain;

d. Amplified Bible:  Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but [only] one receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours.

e. Worrell Translation:  Know ye not that those running a race, indeed, run; but one receives the prize? So run; that ye may obtain.

f. MEV: Do you not know that all those who run in a race run, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain it.

1.”Know ye not that they who run in a race run all,

a. know ye [1492 * eido] [Strong: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent 3700 and 3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot.]

b. not [3756 * ou] [Strong: also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

c. that [3754 * hoti] [Strong: neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.]

d. they who run [5143 * trecho] [Strong: apparently a primary verb (properly, threcho; compare 2359); which uses dremo drem'-o (the base of 1408) as alternate in certain tenses; to run or walk hastily (literally or figuratively):--have course, run.]

e. in [1722 * en] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

f. a race [4712 * stadion] [Strong:  masculine (in plural) stadios stad'-ee-os from the base of 2476 (as fixed); a stade or certain measure of distance; by implication, a stadium or race-course:--furlong, race.]

g. run [5143 * trecho] [Strong: apparently a primary verb (properly, threcho; compare 2359); which uses dremo drem'-o (the base of 1408) as alternate in certain tenses; to run or walk hastily (literally or figuratively):--have course, run.]

1). [3303 * men] [Strong: a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with 1161 (this one, the former, etc.):--even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense.]

h. all [3956 * pas][Strong: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.

2. “…but one receiveth the prize?...”

a. but [1161 * de] [Strong: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. one [1520 * heis] [Strong: (including the neuter (etc.) hen); a primary numeral; one:--a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some.]

c. receiveth [2983 * lambano] [Strong: a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is used only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively (properly objective or active, to get hold of; whereas 1209 is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while 138 is more violent, to seize or remove)):--accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up).]

d. the prize [1017 * brabeion] [Strong: from brabeus (an umpire of uncertain derivation); an award (of arbitration), i.e. (specially) a prize in the public games:--prize.]

3. “…So run that ye may obtain.”

a. so [3779 * houto] [Strong: or (before a vowel houtos hoo'-toce adverb from 3778; in this way (referring to what precedes or follows):--after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what.]

b. run [5143 * trecho] [Strong: apparently a primary verb (properly, threcho; compare 2359); which uses dremo drem'-o (the base of 1408) as alternate in certain tenses; to run or walk hastily (literally or figuratively):--have course, run.]

c. that [2443 * hina] [Strong: probably from the same as the former part of 1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare 3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to.]

d. ye may obtain [2638 * katalambano; kata-intensive; lambano-to take] [Strong: from 2596 and 2983; to take eagerly, i.e. seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively):--apprehend, attain, come upon, comprehend, find, obtain, perceive, (over-)take.] [Zodhiates: to apprehend, attain, obtain, find. To lay hold of, to seize with eagerness, to obtain the prize with the idea of eager and strenuous exertion, to grasp, to seize upon, to seize with the mind, to comprehend.]

1). Scripture gives us some hints about running the race.

a). Hebrews 12:1, 2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and every sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

(1)  patience [5281 * hupomone; hupo-under; meno-to abide.] [Zodhiates: A bearing up under, patience, endurance as to things or circumstances.]

b). John 15:4-6 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

c). The only way to run successfully is abiding in Christ.

2). Isaiah 40:13 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

a).wait  [6960 * qavah] [Strongs: to bind together perhaps by twisting…to collect…gather together, wait…] [AMG: The root meaning is that of twisting or winding a strand of cord or rope. The word also means to be gathered…]

3). Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.

a). helpeth [4878 * sunantilambanetai; sun-together with; anti-against; lambano-to take hold of.] [DC: to take hold together against.]

b). I cannot help but see a similarity in the Hebrew word for “wait” and the Greek word “helpeth”.  The implication of strength through prayer, to me is inescapable.

4). Psalm 18:29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.

5). Psalm 119:32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

a). The three last Scriptures, Isaiah 40:13; Psalm 18:29; Psalm 119:32 all relate how that when God strengthens, we are enabled to do what we were unable to do.