1 Korintus 9:26

9:26 So I do not run uncertainly or box like one who hits only air.

1 Korintus 9:25

9:25 Each competitor must exercise self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.

1 Korintus 3:2

3:2 I fed you milk, ¹  not solid food, for you were not yet ready. In fact, you are still not ready,

1 Korintus 15:10

15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been in vain. In fact, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

1 Korintus 4:12

4:12 We do hard work, toiling with our own hands. When we are verbally abused, we respond with a blessing, when persecuted, we endure,

1 Korintus 4:21

4:21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline ²  or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

1 Korintus 15:11

15:11 Whether then it was I or they, this is the way we preach and this is the way you believed.

1 Korintus 9:27

9:27 Instead I subdue my body and make it my slave, so that after preaching to others I myself will not be disqualified.

[3:2]  ¹ sn Milk refers figuratively to basic or elementary Christian teaching. Paul’s point was that the Corinthian believers he was writing to here were not mature enough to receive more advanced teaching. This was not a problem at the time, when they were recent converts, but the problem now is that they are still not ready.

[4:21]  ² tn Grk “rod.” Context indicates that this rod will be used for disciplinary purposes.

[4:21]  sn Paul is using the term rod in this context to refer to his apostolic authority to discipline those who have become arrogant in the Corinthian church and have attempted to undermine his ministry (cf. 4:18-19).