1 Corinthians 9:25

1 Corinthians 9:25

And everyman that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.

a. NLT: All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

b. NIV: Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

c. YLT: and every one who is striving, is in all things temperate; these, indeed, then, that a corruptible crown they may receive, but we an incorruptible;

d. Amplified Bible:  Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither.

e. Worrell Translation: And everyone who strives in ther games exercises slef-restraint in all things; they, indeed, therefore, to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.

1. “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things…”

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

b. every man [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.]

c. that striveth for the mastery [75 * agonizomai] [Strong: from 73; to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), figuratively (to contend with an adversary), or genitive case (to endeavor to accomplish something):--fight, labor fervently, strive.] [Zodhiates: To contend for victory in the public games…generally to fight or wrestle…as an inward contest…to take pains…straining every nerve to the  uttermost towards the goal…special pain and toil. (English: agony)]

d. temperate [1467 * enkrateuomai] [Zodhiates: To be continent, temperate, to have self-control.] [Strong: middle voice from 1468; to exercise self-restraint (in diet and chastity):--can(-not) contain, be temperate.]

1). One of the hallmarks of the last days is the failure of people to control themselves. Lack of self control or addiction is just another word for bondage.

a). 2 Timothy 3:1- This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2). When we were born again we were given in our spirit the power of self control.

a). 2 Timothy 1:7 [KJV] For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

b). 2 Timothy 1:7 [NIV] For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

3). But even we as Christians have the free will to neglect the Covenant promises and sin and fall into bondage.  But it is not God’s will. There is total and absolute victory over every sin and bondage in Christ.

a). Romans 6:15-18 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

b). 2 Timothy 2:25, 26 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

e. in all things [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.]

1). The training that an athlete puts forth to win is sometimes incredible. The Greek word Paul used for “striveth” is where the English word ‘agony’ comes from. The NIV uses the phrase “competes in the games”. It involves bodily exercise, weight lifting, diet, and sleeping habits, everything that would improve their chances of winning. Their whole world revolves around it. Here the Spirit of God encourages us to use the same amount of effort to live for Christ as an athlete does to win the race. I am reminded of what Paul wrote to Timothy in his first letter.

a). 1 Timothy 4:7, 8 But refuse profane and old wives fables, and exercise thyself unto godliness.

4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

b). Paul is not saying there is anything wrong with bodily exercise, in fact he writes that it is profitable. The profit is little but there is profit, but he says that godliness is much more profitable not only in this life but also in the life to come.

2). The bottom line in all of this is use the same effort to pursue godliness that is used to pursue excellence in athletics. The effort has to be according to the rules.

a). 2 Timothy 2:5 And if a man strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

3). According to His working.

a). Colossians 1:28, 29 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

1:29 Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

4). We have a covenantal responsibility to put forth effort if need be agonizing effort to run the race.

a). Galatians 5:19-24 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

b). 1 Peter 5:8-10 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

2. “…Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.”

a. now [3767 * oun] [Strong:  apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.]

b. they [1565 * ekeinos] [Strong: from 1563; that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed:--he, it, the other (same), selfsame, that (same, very), X their, X them, they, this, those.]

c. do it [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. to obtain [2983 * lambano] [Strong: a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use 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).]

e. a corruptible [5349 * phthartos] [Strong: from 5351; decayed, i.e. (by implication) perishable:--corruptible.]

f. crown [4735 * stephanos] [Strong: from an apparently primary stepho (to twine or wreathe); a chaplet (as a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally; but more conspicuous and elaborate than the simple fillet, 1238), literally or figuratively:--crown.]

1). The crown that these athletes received was merely a wreath of a leafed vine that within days falls apart.

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

h. we [2249 * hemies] [Strong: nominative plural of 1473; we (only used when emphatic):--us, we (ourselves).]

 i. an incorruptible [862 * aphthartos] [Strong: from 1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of 5351; undecaying (in essence or continuance):--not (in-, un-)corruptible, immortal.]

1). We on the other hand receive a crown that is incorruptible, an eternal one. There are five crowns mentioned in the New Testament that are rewards for believers faithfulness.

a). Incorruptible Crown : Given to those who successfully run their race, bringing their bodies into subjection, crucifying  lusts: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

b). The Crown of Rejoicing:  Soul winners crown, given to those who win others to Christ: 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20; Daniel 12:3.

c). The Crown of Life: Given to those who endure trials and severe suffering: James 1:12; Revelation 2:8-11.

d). The Crown of Righteousness: Given to those who faithfully and anxiously await the coming of the Lord: 2 Timothy 4:8.

e). The Crown of Glory: Given to those who faithfully lead the flock of God, pastors, teachers, Sunday school teachers: 1 Peter 5:1-4.