Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 9:27

What does 1 Corinthians 9:27 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 9:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 9:27 means

Paul says he “buffets” his body and makes it his slave, bringing natural appetites under the rule of his higher calling. He fears becoming “rejected”—disqualified from the prize—after preaching to others. The image is athletic: a competitor who breaks the rules or fails discipline is set aside and loses the crown. Paul is not doubting the gospel he preaches; he is sober about the danger of carelessness in himself. Therefore, he practices vigilant self‑denial. The messenger must embody the message’s seriousness. The aim is to finish the race faithfully, guarding against the tragic irony of urging others to win while himself failing the test.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But I give blows to my body, and keep it under control, for fear that, after having given the good news to others, I myself might not have God's approval.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but I chastise my body, and bring <FI>it<Fi> into servitude, lest by any means, having preached to others--I myself may become disapproved.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But I chastise my body and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps, when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But I buffet my body, and lead it captive, lest [after] having preached to others I should be myself rejected.

Context

The chapter concludes with a warning grounded in Paul’s own discipline. Verse 27 ties the athletic imagery to the spiritual stakes: self‑rule is necessary to avoid disqualification. This caps his whole argument about rights and renunciation. Freedom must be governed by love and vigilance. The exhortation prepares the Corinthians to consider sobering examples of failure and the need for steadfastness that Paul will address next, while reinforcing the call to run with focused, gospel‑driven self‑control.

v.26I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air:

v.27This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 6:18

    and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:25

    And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

  • 2 Peter 2:15

    forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing;

  • 1 Corinthians 8:13

    Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:27

    in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

  • 1 Peter 2:11

    Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

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