John Calvin 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)

Do you not know that those who run in a race. He has laid down the doctrine, and now, to impress it upon the minds of the Corinthians, he adds an exhortation. He states briefly that what they had until now attained was nothing, unless they steadfastly persevered, since it is not enough to have once entered on the Lord’s way if they do not strive until they reach the goal, according to that declaration of Christ—He that shall endure unto the end, etc. (Matthew 10:22).

Now he borrows a comparison from the racecourse. For as in that case many enter the arena, but only he is crowned who has first reached the goal, so there is no reason why anyone should feel satisfied with himself because he has once entered upon the race prescribed in the gospel, unless he perseveres in it until death.

There is, however, this difference between our contest and theirs: among them only one is victorious and obtains the palm—the one who has finished ahead of all the others; but our condition is superior in this respect, that many may be victorious at the same time. For God requires from us nothing more than that we press on vigorously until we reach the goal. Thus, one does not hinder another; furthermore, those who run in the Christian race are mutually helpful to each other. He expresses the same sentiment in another form in 2 Timothy 2:5:

If anyone strives, he is not crowned, unless he strives lawfully.

So run. Here we have the application of the comparison—that it is not enough to have started if we do not continue to run during our whole life. For our life is like a racecourse. We must not, therefore, become weary after a short time, like one who stops short in the middle of the racecourse; but instead of this, death alone must put an end to our running.

The particle οὕτω (so) can be understood in two ways. Chrysostom connects it with what precedes, in this manner: as those who run do not stop running until they have reached the goal, so you also persevere, and do not stop running as long as you live. It will, however, correspond quite aptly with what follows: “You must not run so as to stop short in the middle of the racecourse, but so as to obtain the prize.”

Regarding the term stadium (racecourse), and the different kinds of races, I say nothing, as these things can be learned from grammarians, and it is generally known that there were some races on horseback and others on foot. Nor are these things particularly necessary for understanding Paul’s meaning.