1 Corinthians 9:19-27 Lesson 325

1 Corinthians 9:19-27
Lesson 325

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

Freedom and discipline (9:19-22).

Trained athletes (9:24-27).

Jesus, light of the world.

By American artist Howard Lyon

Study Tip:

Apply the lessons learned from the Bible to your life.

The First Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Corinthians

The King James Bible

1 Corinthians 9:19-27
A servant to any and all

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

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

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

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Margin notes:

"I made myself servant unto all." (9:19) - The Bible tells us to be servants (Galatians 5:13). Paul made himself a servant when he introduced people to Jesus.

"I became as a Jew." (9:20) - As a former Pharisee, Paul knew how to talk to Jews about Jesus without offending them. When among Jews, he followed Jewish customs, Mosaic ceremonies, and used the Old Testament to prove that Jesus was the Messiah. See Acts 16:3 and 21:26 for two examples.

"To them that are without law." (9:21) - "To those who do not follow the Mosaic Law (Gentiles)." When reaching out to Gentiles, Paul ignored Jewish traditions and spoke to his audience on their footing.

"To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak." (9:22) - Paul searched for commonality with the people he preached to.

"That I might by all means save some." (9:22) - Paul was constantly trying to "save some" (Romans 11:14).

"That I might be partaker thereof with you." (9:23) - "That I might share (the blessings) with you."

"They which run in a race." (9:24) - A sports metaphor. The Corinthians were fans of athletics, hosted the Isthmian Games (the most popular sporting event at the time with the exception of the Olympics) every two years, and would have understood Paul's metaphor. See also Philippians 3:14, 2 Timothy 4:7, and Hebrews 12:1.

"But one receiveth the prize?" (9:24) - Only one can win a sporting event, but many can obtain Christ.

"So run, that ye may obtain." (9:24) - So run to win the crown."

"Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things." (9:25) - "Every athlete uses moderation (self-control) in things that might hinder their training." In like fashion, shouldn't Christians avoid things that hinder their salvation?

"To obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." (9:25) - The winners of the Isthmian games won a pine wreath crown which quickly withered away. The crown that Christians seek never fades (2 Timothy 4:8).

"I therefore so run." (9:26) - Paul continues his sports metaphor; his race is to win souls.

"Not as uncertainly." (9:26) - "Not without a goal." Paul's goal is to introduce people to Christ.

"So fight I, not as one that beateth the air." (9:26) - "So I fight, and not like a person shadowboxing." Paul continues with the sports metaphor.

"I keep under my body." (9:27) - "I keep my body disciplined."  Another sports metaphor.

"I myself should be a castaway." (9:27) - "I should be rejected."  Paul is not concerned about losing his salvation, but losing the honor of teaching others about Jesus.

New Living Translation

1 Corinthians 9:19-27

19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.

20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law.

21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.

23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

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

25 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.

26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.

27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's questions:

1. Why did Paul make himself a servant?

2. Do we have to run (work) to earn our salvation? (9:24-25)

"Read the Bible to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy."

Unknown author

Answers: (Do you agree?)

1. Paul made himself a servant so he could save more souls.

2. No, we don't need to earn our salvation. Salvation is a gift offered to all and given to everyone who accepts it. However, like Paul, Christians should put their talents and influence to work to lead others to Christ.

Application thought for the day:

The Christian life consists of the freedom (9:19-22) and discipline (9:24-27) necessary to live a life dedicated to Christ and bringing His holy message to others.

Please don't forget us.

Every donation helps light a candle.
Every donation delivers Free Bible Lessons to phones and inboxes.
Every little bit helps.

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2022 evolke

Subscribe for Free Bible Lessons