First Corinthians 9:19–27 . . .

How to Run Your Race

This week, we’ll see how the Corinthians needed to follow Paul’s example of humility. He also demonstrated the principle of love when he became a Jew to the Jews in order to win Jews; a non-Jewish Gentile to the Gentiles in order that he might win Gentiles; and to the weak he became weak (9:19–22, shown at the bottom of this page). He’ll close chapter 9 with his encouraging instruction on how we should run our individual race using self-discipline in order to “get the prize” (9:24–27).

Paul now moves from the subject of giving up his right to financial support to giving up cultural rights. In vv. 15–23, Paul explains that his passion for lost people and for preaching the gospel consumes him. Consequently, he’ll go to any and every length to share Christ.

In vv. 19–22, Paul describes his passion to do whatever it takes to win lost people to Christ. Six times in one paragraph he states his desire to reach the lost; he reaches them by adapting his methods according to the group he tried to reach. He goes after anyone and everyone: (1) Jews; (2) “under the law” (probably includes non-Jewish Gentile God-fearers and new believers to Judaism, as well as ethnic Jews); (3) “those not having the law” (refers to Gentiles apart from any Jewish influence); and (4) “the weak” (most likely referring to Christians with weak consciences).

Why does Paul go to such great lengths to win lost people? He tells us in v. 23: “I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” The work of the gospel was the great axis around which everything in the apostle’s life revolved.

In v. 24, Paul tells us to run the Christian race with the intent to win the prize at the end of the race. The prize is offered to each and every believer. Unlike a foot race, we’re not competing against each other. Note: Every Christian can win the prize! That’s great news because there will always be someone faster, stronger, or smarter than us.

Paul’s “running the race” metaphor works like this: When a person believes in Jesus Christ, he or she becomes a runner in the Christian race. If you’re a Christian, whether you like it or not, you’re a runner. Paul finishes v. 24 with these words: “Run in such a way as to get the prize.” This isn’t a suggestion or a divine option. Instead, Paul issues a command: Run! Don’t walk. Don’t stop. Don’t sit down. Run, because you can win the prize! After all, the point of entering the race is to win the prize, which doesn’t represent salvation, since salvation is a free gift; the prize is an earned reward.

The Christian’s prize is the honor and glory of eternal rewards. It’s not a race to achieve entrance into heaven; instead it’s the joy of hearing Jesus say, “Well done!” (Matthew 25:21, 23). This is the amazing grace of God: We receive salvation as a free gift; then the Lord blesses us on top of that with temporal and eternal rewards for faithfully serving him. Such a God we have!

Paul concludes this paragraph by expressing a sincere fear that he himself could fail to win the prize if he were to run aimlessly. In vv. 26–27, he tells us how to avoid losing our Christian race we run perpetually.

True Christians are involved in a “long-distance race.” Run it in such a way that you obtain the prize of “an imperishable crown.” What could be more desirable than to finish strong for Christ and be with him forever!

The Christian’s race is not a sprint — it’s a marathon.

† Summary of 1 Corinthians 9:19–27

This nine-verse passage presents Paul’s strategy for evangelism and his approach to ministry. Here’s a summary of the key points:

• Paul’s Evangelistic Strategy

Here Paul outlines his flexible approach to reaching different groups with the gospel:

• To Jews, he becomes like a Jew.

• To those under the law, he becomes like one under the law.

• To those not having the law, he becomes like one not having the law.

• To the weak, he becomes weak.

Paul’s overarching principle is becoming “all things to all people” in order to save many.

• Motivation and Purpose

Paul’s motivation for this flexible approach is to win as many people to Christ as possible. He emphasizes that he does this “for the sake of the gospel.”

• Self-Discipline and Focus

Paul uses athletic metaphors to illustrate the discipline required in Christian life and ministry:

• He compares evangelism to running a race.

• He stresses the importance of self-control and discipline.

• He also aims for a specific goal, not running aimlessly.

Paul highlights the need for intentionality and perseverance in the Christian life, warning against being disqualified after preaching to others.

This passage demonstrates the apostle’s commitment to contextualizing the gospel message without compromising its core truths, while also emphasizing the personal discipline required in Christian service.

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New International Version (NIV)
[You can view it in a different version by clicking here; you can also listen to this chapter.]

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

¹⁹Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. ²⁰To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. ²¹To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. ²²To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. ²³I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

The Need for Self-Discipline

²⁴Do 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. ²⁵Everyone 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. ²⁶Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.