“And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” (1 Corinthians 9:25)

Imagine a crown that will never rust, wear out, and perhaps never even dull! Paul here contrasts crowns that Roman athletes could win—often wreaths of foliage that would wither in weeks—with an imperishable one that Christ will reward to certain followers. Who will get this imperishable crown? The key is those who strive.

1 Corinthians 9 speaks of trading selfish desires, comforts, and accolades for life in Christ, comparing that which athletes give up in their training to that which Christians should give up in our striving to “live godly” (2 Timothy 3:12). Track athletes will never reach their top potential if they don’t exercise regularly or eat healthily. Runners give up soft drinks, hard drinks, ice cream, and laziness. It’s worth it for a shot at the prize. Similarly, Paul decided to “suffer all things” to not hinder the church’s growth in Christ (1 Corinthians 9:12).

In particular, “unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews” (1 Corinthians 9:20). In order to not offend weaker Christians’ conscience, Paul even refrained from doing what they believed to be wrong but what he knew would have been fine to do (Romans 14:2). Indeed, “to the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you” (1 Corinthians 9:22–23).

How have we striven and what have we sacrificed for the gospel’s sake? What self-serving habits have we replaced with new habits that help others know Him? The Lord rewards such sacrifices. BDT