Charles Spurgeon Commentary 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." — 1 Corinthians 9:25 (ASV)

Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

The athletes who competed in the Grecian games passed through great self-denials and mortifications of the flesh, in order that every part of their bodily frame might be tough and strong when they came forward to wrestle, or to run, or to fight. "Now," says Paul, "if they do all that to gain a crown of parsley," — which was generally the crown given, — truly, a corruptible crown, — "how much more should we do in order to win a crown that does not fade away, — an incorruptible crown!"

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.

Here Paul is alluding to the athletic games and pugilistic encounters of the time. It was well known that every man who was going to fight, or wrestle, or run, had to get himself into proper condition—to "go into training," as we say in similar cases nowadays.