1 Corinthians 9:26
New International Version
Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.

New Living Translation
So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.

English Standard Version
So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore I run thus, not as uncertainly; I fight thus, not as beating the air.

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

New King James Version
Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.

New American Standard Bible
Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air;

NASB 1995
Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;

NASB 1977
Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;

Amplified Bible
Therefore I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing].

Christian Standard Bible
So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air.

American Standard Version
I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
I run therefore in this way, not as if for something unknown, and so I contend, not as one who fights the air,

Contemporary English Version
I don't run without a goal. And I don't box by beating my fists in the air.

Douay-Rheims Bible
I therefore so run, not as at an uncertainty: I so fight, not as one beating the air:

English Revised Version
I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So I run-but not without a clear goal ahead of me. So I box-but not as if I were just shadow boxing.

Good News Translation
That is why I run straight for the finish line; that is why I am like a boxer who does not waste his punches.

International Standard Version
That is the way I run, with a clear goal in mind. That is the way I fight, not like someone shadow boxing.

Literal Standard Version
I, therefore, thus run, not as uncertainly, thus I fight, as not beating air;

Majority Standard Bible
Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air.

New American Bible
Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing.

NET Bible
So I do not run uncertainly or box like one who hits only air.

New Revised Standard Version
So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air;

New Heart English Bible
I therefore run like that, as not uncertainly. I fight like that, as not beating the air,

Webster's Bible Translation
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so I fight, not as one that beateth the air:

Weymouth New Testament
That is how I run, not being in any doubt as to my goal. I am a boxer who does not inflict blows on the air,

World English Bible
I therefore run like that, not aimlessly. I fight like that, not beating the air,

Young's Literal Translation
I, therefore, thus run, not as uncertainly, thus I fight, as not beating air;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Run Your Race to Win
25Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable. 26Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. 27No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.…

Cross References
1 Corinthians 14:9
So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.

Galatians 2:2
I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I spoke privately to those recognized as leaders, for fear that I was running or had already run in vain.

2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.


Treasury of Scripture

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

not.

2 Corinthians 5:1,8
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens…

Philippians 1:21
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

2 Timothy 1:12
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

so.

Matthew 11:12
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Luke 13:24
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Jump to Previous
Aim Aimlessly Air Beateth Beating Blows Box Combat Doubt Fight Fighting Gives Goal Inflict Run Running Uncertainly Way
Jump to Next
Aim Aimlessly Air Beateth Beating Blows Box Combat Doubt Fight Fighting Gives Goal Inflict Run Running Uncertainly Way
1 Corinthians 9
1. He shows his liberty;
7. and that the minister ought to receive a living by the Gospel;
15. yet that himself has of his own accord abstained,
18. to be neither chargeable unto them,
22. nor offensive unto any, in matters indifferent.
24. Our life is like unto a race.














(26) I therefore so run.--The Apostle appeals to his own conduct as an illustration of the lesson which he is teaching, and by means of it reminds the reader that the whole of this chapter has been a vindication of his own self-denial, and that he has a clear and definite object in view.

So fight I.--The illustration is changed from running to boxing, both being included in the word used in 1Corinthians 9:25, "contending." He has an adversary to contend against, and he strikes him, and does not wildly and impotently strike at him, and so only beat the air.

Verse 26. - Not as uncertainly. My eye is fixed on a definite goal (2 Timothy 1:12). So fight I (Romans 7:23; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7); literally, so box 1. Not as one that beateth the air; rather, as not beating the air. Not what the Greeks called "a shadow battle." I strike forthright blows, not feints, or blows at random.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Therefore
τοίνυν (toinyn)
Conjunction
Strong's 5106: Indeed now, therefore, accordingly, well then. From toi and nun; truly now, i.e. Accordingly.

I
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

do not run
τρέχω (trechō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5143: Apparently a primary verb; which uses dremo drem'-o as alternate in certain tenses; to run or walk hastily.

aimlessly;
ἀδήλως (adēlōs)
Adverb
Strong's 84: Out of sight, obscurely, inconspicuously, uncertainly, without certain aim. Adverb from adelos; uncertainly.

I do not fight
πυκτεύω (pykteuō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4438: To box, be a boxer. From a derivative of the same as pugme; to box, i.e. Contend at the games.

like
οὕτως (houtōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).

I am beating
δέρων (derōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1194: To flay, flog, scourge, beat. A primary verb; properly, to flay, i.e. to scourge, or to thrash.

[the] air.
ἀέρα (aera)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 109: Air, the lower air we breathe. From aemi; 'air'.


Links
1 Corinthians 9:26 NIV
1 Corinthians 9:26 NLT
1 Corinthians 9:26 ESV
1 Corinthians 9:26 NASB
1 Corinthians 9:26 KJV

1 Corinthians 9:26 BibleApps.com
1 Corinthians 9:26 Biblia Paralela
1 Corinthians 9:26 Chinese Bible
1 Corinthians 9:26 French Bible
1 Corinthians 9:26 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 9:26 I therefore run like that as not (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 9:25
Top of Page
Top of Page