Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Corinthians 9:24

"Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain." — 1 Corinthians 9:24 (ASV)

Know you not . . .—The illustration which follows refers to these Isthmian games (so called from their taking place in the isthmus where Corinth stood) with which his readers would be familiar. These, like the other games of Greece—the Olympian, Pythian, and Nemean—included every form of athletic exercise, and stood on an entirely different footing from anything of the kind in modern times.

For the Greek, these contests were great national and religious festivals. Only freemen could enter the lists, and only after they had satisfied the appointed officers that they had for ten months undergone the necessary preliminary training.

For thirty days previous to the contest, the candidates had to attend the exercises at the gymnasium. Only after fulfilling these conditions were they allowed, when the time arrived, to contend in the sight of assembled Greece. A herald proclaimed the name and country of each competitor. The victor was crowned with a garland of pine leaves or ivy.

The conqueror's family was honored by his victory. When he returned to his native town, he would enter it through a breach in the walls, the object of this being to symbolize that for a town honored with such a citizen, no walls of defense were necessary (Plutarch). Pindar, or some other great poet, would immortalize the victorious hero’s name in verse, and in all future festivals, the foremost seats would be occupied by the heroes of former contests.

So run—i.e., run in the way referred to, so that you may gain a prize.