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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - 1 Corinthians 9:25 - 9:25
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That striveth in the games (ho agōnizomenos). Common verb for contest in the athletic games (agōn), sometimes with the cognate accusative, agōna agōnizomai as in 1Ti 6:12; 2Ti 4:7. Probably Paul often saw these athletic games.
Is temperate in all things (panta egkrateuetai). Rare verb, once in Aristotle and in a late Christian inscription, and 1Co 7:9 and here, from egkratēs, common adjective for one who controls himself. The athlete then and now has to control himself (direct middle) in all things (accusative of general reference). This is stated by Paul as an athletic axiom. Training for ten months was required under the direction of trained judges. Abstinence from wine was required and a rigid diet and regimen of habits.
A corruptible crown (phtharton stephanon). Stephanos (crown) is from stephō, to put around the head, like the Latin corona, wreath or garland, badge of victory in the games. In the Isthmian games it was of pine leaves, earlier of parsley, in the Olympian games of the wild olive. “Yet these were the most coveted honours in the whole Greek world” (Findlay). For the crown of thorns on Christ’s head see note on Mat 27:29; Mar 15:17; Joh 19:2; and Joh 19:5. Diadēma (diadem) was for kings (Rev 12:3). Favourite metaphor in the N.T., the crown of righteousness (2Ti 4:8), the crown of life (Jam 1:12), the crown of glory (1Pe 5:4), the crown of rejoicing (1Th 2:9), description of the Philippians (Phi 4:1). Note contrast between phtharton (verbal adjective from phtheirō, to corrupt) like the garland of pine leaves, wild olive, or laurel, and aphtharton (same form with a privative) like the crown of victory offered the Christian, the amaranthine (unfading rose) crown of glory (1Pe 5:4).