01. Run for the Prize (1 Corinthians 9:24)
• Know ye is εἴδω (ĕidō) usually translated as *to see* (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:2-3; 6:9; 6:15-16; 6:19; 8:1-2; 8:4). This is subjective and insinuates the fullness of knowledge, or* a mental focus*.
• run is τρέχω (ĕchō), to run.
• a race** is τάδιον (ŏn), meaning a stadium, which was a Roman Mile of 4860 feet. It was called a stadium because it was where the races were held. The racetrack at Olympia was one ŏn in length. Later, used to describe any sort of public games for the people to watch.
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• one is εἷς (ĕis), and it is emphatically speaking of the number one.
• prize is βραβεῖον (ĕiŏn), which typically was a garland or a wreath. Found only one other time in Philippians 3:14. Of all the people who run the race, only one receives a prize.
• Paul uses running a race as a euphemism for living the Christian life (Galatians 2:2; Galatians 5:7; Philippians 2:16; Philippians 3:14; 2 Timothy 4:7--8; Hebrews 12:1).
• ye may obtain** is καταλαμβάνω (ō), from κατά (kata) the ultimate intensifier, and ánō, *to take or receive*, meaning to eagerly lay hold of, to understand, to have.
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• Paul states that as runners run in a race for a prize, so too are we as Christians are commanded
to run, that we all may obtain.
02. **Corruptible vs Incorruptible (1 Corinthians 9:25)
• that striveth for the mastery is ἀγωνίζομαι (ōnizŏmai), from ṓn, conflict, such as agony (mental suffering), thus it means to struggle for the victory in the public games. It carries the idea of using all your strength and straining every nerve to achieve victory (cf. Luke 13:24; John 18:36; Colossians 1:29; Colossians 4:12; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7).
• is temperate is ἐγκρατεύομαι (ĕgkratĕuŏmai), from en, *in*, and átos, power or ruling, thus it means to have self-control. Paul writes that this self-control comes from training hard for several months, such as an athlete preparing to compete in a sporting event. Everyone who struggles to win has self-control and self-discipline in their lives. Found one other time in the Greek Scriptures (1 Corinthians 7:9).
• corruptible is φθαρτός (ŏs), meaning it is susceptible to corruption or corrosion.
• crown is στέφανος (ĕphanŏs) meaning a prize given to the winners in the public games, a wreath. It is a victor's crown, not a crown of a King (διάδημα (ēma), cf. Revelation 12:3; Revelation 13:1; Revelation 19:12). στέφανος (ĕphanŏs) is first used in Matthew 27:29.
• incorruptible is ἄφθαρτος (ŏs), from the Greek prefix a-, negator and φθαρτός (ŏs), *corruption*, thus it means without corruption, something that will last forever. Paul uses this same word to describe God in Romans 1:23 and 1 Timothy 1:17.
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• Paul writes that these Olympians train hard and exercise great self-control to gain a crown of leaves that will eventually fade away, yet we will gain a reward that will last forever!
03. Body Under Subjection (1 Corinthians 9:26-27)
• 1 Corinthians 9:26 uncertainly** is ἀδήλως (ēlōs), from the Greek prefix a-, negator, and ḗlos, clarity. From ḗlos we get psychedelic, something that is clear in the psyche, but is not there in reality. This is the only time in the Greek Scriptures that this adverb is used.
• Paul says that he does not run without a goal.
• fight I is πυκτέω (ĕō), from ḗ, *the fist*, thus it means to fight as a boxer. This is the only time in the Greek Scriptures that this verb is used.
• as one that beateth the air means shadow boxing. To get this reward, Paul doesn't act like a boxer in shadow boxing, for he is not just throwing punches into the air for naught.
• 1 Corinthians 9:27 I keep under is ὑπωπιάζω (ōpiazō), from ó, *under* and ōps, pertaining to the eyes, to hit under the eyes, figuratively to humble the body and to wear out someone. Found only twice in the Greek Scriptures (Luke 18:5).
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• bring **it into subjection is δουλαγωγέω (ŏulagōgĕō), from úlos, *slave* and ágō, to lead, thus it means to lead as a slave. Found only here in the Greek Scriptures.
• when I have preached is G2784 κηρύσσω (ērussō), to herald or proclaim.
• a castaway is ἀδόκιμος (ŏkimŏs), from the Greek prefix a-, negator, and ókimos, proving authentic.
• From the Greek we get docimasy, which in Ancient Greece was the judicial method used to evaluate candidates for office or citizenship. It was a detailed examination of a person to determine their quality and character. Nowadays it is used in metallurgy to assay metallic ores.
• ἀδόκιμος (ŏkimŏs) means to be worthless, unapproved, or rejected (Romans 1:28; 2 Corinthians 13:5--7; 2 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:16; Hebrews 6:8).
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• Paul writes that he is working hard to make his body obey his spiritual goals (Rom 6:18--19; 8:13; 1 Cor 6:12--14; 8:13; 2 Cor 6:4--5; 11:27; Col 3:5; 2 Tim 2:22; 1 Peter 2:11).
