1 Corinthians 9:27

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Running and fighting. The crown of eternal life is here set forth as the issue of successful conflict with difficulties and foes. It would seem as if all Divine excellence must needs present itself to our minds as the negation of opposite forms of evil. We cannot think of God but as the "Light" that contends with our darkness, the "Fire" that consumes our corruption. God's Law is but the Divine restraint of our wayward propensities, the Divine rebuke of our trangressions. The Divine life... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The laws of the Christian race. The illustration used in these verses is one which St. Paul frequently employs, and we cannot but think that he must have actually seen some of these games, for the impression made by them on his mind is that which comes from personal observation and impression rather than from knowledge through books. There is special force in his allusions to the games in writing to the Corinthians, because the set of games known as the Isthmian were held in the isthmus on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:26-27

A good servant of Jesus Christ. It was quite in St. Paul's manner to support his exhortations to Christian service by adducing his own example and experience. Those who were not acquainted with him might misconstrue such references and set them down to a vain glorious spirit, but no one could do so who knew how fully and fervently this apostle ascribed all that he was and did as a Christian to the grace of Jesus Christ. "Not I, but the grace of God which was with me." "Not I, but Christ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:27

I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; literally, I bruise my body, and lead it about as a slave. The word tamely rendered "keep in subjection" means literally, I smite under the eyes. The pugilistic metaphor is kept up, and the picturesque force of the words would convey a vivid impression to Corinthians familiar with the contests of the Pancratum, in which boxing with the heavy lead-bound caestus played a prominent part. The only other place in the New Testament where... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:27

Hell after preaching. "But I keep," etc. These are terrible words, and they teach at least three things. I. THAT DELIVERANCE FROM HELL DEMANDS THE MOST EARNEST SELF DISCIPLINE . "I keep under my body." I subdue the flesh by violent and reiterated blows. The reason for this mortification of the flesh is, "lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." Self discipline may be said to consist of two things. 1. The entire... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:27

The relation of personal consistency to public labors. The expression used by the apostle here, and translated, "I keep under my body," is literally, "I strike under the eve; I beat black and blue" (comp. Luke 18:5 ). Mastery of the body, repression of the lusts and indulgences and evil inclinations of the body, a strong hand upon the "self," are necessary to ensure "consistency;" yet what is the worth of a Christian teacher whose life tells one story and his lips another? St. Paul... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:27

But I keep under my body - (ὑπωπιάζω hupōpiazō). This word occurs in the New Testament only here and in Luke 18:5, “Lest by her continual coming she ‘weary’ me.” The word is derived probably from ὑπώπιον hupōpion, the part of the face “under the eye” (Passow), and means properly, to strike under the eye, either with the fist or the cestus, so as to render the part livid, or as we say, “black and blue”; or as is commonly termed, “to give anyone a black eye.” The word is derived, of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 9:26-27

1 Corinthians 9:26-27. I therefore The reward being so great; so run, not as uncertainly For I see the goal I am to run to, I keep it continually in view, and run straight to it, casting off every weight, and not regarding any that stand by, so as to be prevented from, or hindered in running, by looking at them. Or, I run not as one that is to pass unnoticed, or undistinguished: as αδηλως seems here to imply; and not without attending to the marks and lines which determine the path in... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Necessity for self-discipline (9:24-27)Christianity is a life of effort. As runners in a race strain to the full to win the prize, so Christians should put all their effort into whatever they do (24). As athletes undergo strict training in their pursuit of victory, so Christians should deny themselves lawful pleasures and foods in order to be more useful for God (25). Paul has purpose and effort in all that he does. He is like a runner who heads for the finishing line or a boxer who aims to... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 9:27

keep under . Greek. hupopiazo. See Luke 18:5 . bring . . . into subjection = reduce to slavery. Greek. doulagogeo. Only here. Compare App-190 . lest that by any means . Greek. mepos . when, &c . = having preached. Greek. kerusso . App-121 . There is an appropriateness in using here this verb, "to act as a herald". The herald summons the competitors. be = become, or prove to be. a castaway = disapproved, or rejected (for the prize). Greek. adokimos. See Romans 1:28 . read more

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