1 Corinthians 9:19–27

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

¹⁹Though I am free^a and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,^b to win as many as possible.^{c 20}To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.^d To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),^e so as to win those under the law. ²¹To those not having the law I became like one not having the law^f (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),^g so as to win those not having the law. ²²To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.^h I have become all things to all peopleⁱ so that by all possible means I might save some.^{j 23}I 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?^k Run^l 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^m that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.^{n 26}Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;^o I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.^{p 27}No, I strike a blow to my body^q and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.^r