1 Corinthians 9:27 kjv
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.
1 Corinthians 9:27 nkjv
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:27 niv
No, 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.
1 Corinthians 9:27 esv
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:27 nlt
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.
1 Corinthians 9 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 6:12 | "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything." | Self-mastery, not ruled by flesh. |
| Galatians 5:24 | "And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." | Victory over flesh is by crucifixion. |
| Romans 8:13 | "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." | Life by mortifying flesh deeds. |
| Romans 12:1 | "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." | Presenting bodies to God. |
| Colossians 3:5 | "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." | Putting earthly desires to death. |
| Titus 2:11-12 | "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age," | Grace trains self-control. |
| 2 Peter 1:5-7 | "Besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness," | Self-control as a virtue. |
| 1 Peter 4:7-8 | "The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." | Sobriety and self-control for prayer. |
| Philippians 3:12-14 | "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because it has been made my own by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." | Pressing on towards a prize. |
| 1 Timothy 4:7-8 | "Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come." | Training for godliness is valuable. |
| Hebrews 12:1-2 | "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." | Running the race with endurance. |
| Matthew 15:11 | "It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth that defiles a man." | Internal condition matters most. |
| Mark 7:15, 20-23 | "and nothing outside the man can defile him by going into him. But the things that come out of a man are from him, and they defile a man. ... 'From within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, malice, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.'" | Corruption originates from within. |
| 1 Corinthians 6:13 | "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body." | Body for the Lord, not immorality. |
| 1 Corinthians 9:25 | "Everyone who competes in the games plays by the rules." | Competitors follow rules. |
| Galatians 2:20 | "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." | Christ lives in the believer. |
| 2 Corinthians 5:10 | "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." | Accountability for deeds in the body. |
| 1 Corinthians 10:13 | "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." | God provides a way of escape. |
| 1 Timothy 6:12 | "Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses." | Fighting the good fight of faith. |
| John 8:36 | "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." | Freedom in Christ. |
| 1 Corinthians 9:26 | "So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as though beating the air." | Purposeful striving. |
1 Corinthians 9 verses
1 Corinthians 9 27 Meaning
Paul speaks of actively striving against his own fleshly desires and appetites. He aims to keep himself under control, lest he disqualify himself from his ministry or the rewards of faith. This is a deliberate, disciplined effort to bring his body into subjection to the Spirit's will.
1 Corinthians 9 27 Context
This verse is found within 1 Corinthians chapter 9, where Paul is discussing his apostolic rights and liberties, specifically his right to be supported by the churches he serves. However, he chooses to relinquish these rights for the sake of the Gospel's advancement, comparing himself to an athlete competing for an imperishable crown. In the preceding verses, Paul uses the metaphor of athletic competition, emphasizing disciplined effort, obedience to rules, and the pursuit of a heavenly reward. This particular verse serves as the climax of his athletic analogy, articulating his personal commitment to rigorous self-discipline to ensure his ministry remains effective and his ultimate reward secure. The overall context is Paul defending his apostolic credentials and model of ministry amidst the fractious Corinthian church, which seems to have been questioning his authority or perhaps imitating outward spiritual manifestations without the accompanying substance of sacrificial love and self-denial.
1 Corinthians 9 27 Word Analysis
Ὕστερον (husteron):
- Meaning: "Last," "afterward," "finally." In this context, it signifies the final outcome, the ultimate consequence of his actions or lack thereof. It emphasizes the long-term perspective, looking beyond immediate gratification.
δὲ (de):
- Meaning: "But," "and." A connective particle, here used to contrast Paul's own actions with a potential negative outcome, reinforcing his point.
ὑποτάσσω (hypotasso):
- Meaning: "To put under," "to subject," "to subordinate," "to bring under control." This is a crucial word implying active subjugation. It’s used in military contexts for bringing troops into order and in secular Greek for bringing things under one's power.
- Significance: Paul is not saying his flesh is inherently evil or possessed by demons. Rather, it is his own physical body and its desires, which need to be willingly and actively brought under the dominion of his spirit and the Holy Spirit's guidance.
ἐμαυτοῦ (emautou):
- Meaning: "Of myself," "my own." Emphasizes personal responsibility. The subjugation is Paul’s own, a deliberate personal undertaking.
τὸ (to):
- Meaning: "The." Definite article.
σῶμα (sōma):
- Meaning: "Body." Refers to the physical body with all its desires, appetites, and weaknesses.
- Significance: The struggle is not against an external force but an internal one—the body's natural inclination to yield to sinful impulses or prioritize comfort over discipline. This is aligned with the understanding that "the flesh" in Pauline theology represents the whole of human nature alienated from God, including its unregenerate desires and propensities.
καὶ (kai):
- Meaning: "And." Connects "body" and "being servants."
δοῦλον (doulon):
- Meaning: "A slave," "servant." In the accusative case, functioning as a predicate nominative.
- Significance: This refers to his body being enslaved to his will, or, more importantly, his body being made a slave (or obedient servant) to righteousness and the Lord. This contrasts with the body being a slave to sin or sinful passions.
γίνεσθαι (ginesthai):
- Meaning: "To become," "to be." It implies a process or result of action. The body is actively being made or kept as a slave.
αὐτόν (auton):
- Meaning: "Himself." Masculine accusative pronoun referring back to Paul.
Word Group Analysis: "I buffet my body and make it my slave" captures the essence of Paul’s rigorous self-discipline. The imagery suggests striking, subduing, and bringing something into absolute obedience. It's an active, almost violent process of controlling bodily impulses. Paul’s understanding of the Christian life as a "race" or "fight" (as seen in the context) necessitates this kind of demanding discipline. The "slavelike" submission of the body to Paul's spiritual will is not a voluntary submission of a willing servant, but the imposition of a master's control. This reflects his understanding that without this constant, forceful self-discipline, the body's own inclinations would lead him astray, potentially disqualifying him from ministry or heavenly reward, echoing the context of athletic competition where rigor is paramount.
1 Corinthians 9 27 Bonus Section
The phrase "lest I myself should be disqualified" is particularly striking. In the context of the Olympic or Isthmian games prevalent in Greece, disqualification was a serious matter. Athletes had to adhere strictly to rules to be eligible for the prize. A champion could be stripped of their victory for cheating or breaking training. Paul transplants this severe concept to the spiritual realm, warning that neglecting self-discipline could lead to a forfeiture of spiritual rewards, or even condemnation, although for believers, final salvation is secured by Christ. This implies that one’s actions and stewardship of their faith have eternal consequences beyond initial salvation. It’s a sober reminder that grace is not a license for lasciviousness or spiritual sloth but empowers a disciplined pursuit of holiness. The emphasis is on striving towards an incorruptible crown, not merely avoiding punishment.
1 Corinthians 9 27 Commentary
Paul uses intense imagery to convey the disciplined effort required for Christian living and ministry. He doesn't passively let his desires rule him; he actively fights to control his physical appetites and impulses. This isn't about self-flagellation or masochism, but about strategic, consistent self-control aimed at spiritual effectiveness. Paul knows that a body unchecked by spiritual will can lead to sin and ultimately render one disqualified, much like an athlete disqualified for breaking the rules. His own body, a gift from God, is to be brought into willing service under his spiritual leadership, rather than dominating him with its ungodly desires. This self-mastery is essential for running the race of faith effectively and maintaining integrity in ministry, ensuring he preaches to others while not being disqualified himself. The focus is on a rigorous, ongoing battle against fleshly tendencies for the sake of obedience and eternal reward.