What an incalculable difference between the reward of the victor in the Greek games, and that of the victorious Christian! How eagerly men strive for temporary success, and to what lengths of bodily inconvenience and even suffering they are willing to go in order to be accounted great in the eyes of their fellow men! If they are willing to do this for a fading crown that soon passes away, how much more earnest and persevering should be the striving of believers for the never-fading crown of eternal life! Because of the entrance of sin into the world, the thoughts and ideas of men are perverted, and Satan has succeeded in leading men to transgress all the laws of health, so that they generally live in such a way that they hasten their bodily degeneration by their habits of eating, drinking, dressing, sleeping, working, taking recreation, and thinking (see CH 18, 19).

 God requires His people to be conscious of the need for reform in these things and to be active in practicing strict self-control in all that pertains to the preservation of health. Man is not at liberty to please himself in the matter of healthful living; he has been purchased by God, and is under obligation to do all in his power to follow the laws of health in order to maintain his body and mind in the best possible condition (see 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 10:31). The Christian who is governed by love for the Saviour will not allow his appetites and passions to control him, but will in all things accept the counsel God has given for his mental, physical, and spiritual living. The appetites of the body must be subject to the higher power of the mind, which is itself under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (see Rom. 6:12; 2T 380, 381). The poisons of alcohol and tobacco are glaring exhibits of the things that Satan has beguiled man into using, thereby increasing his feebleness, both physically and spiritually, and preventing him from qualifying for the eternal reward offered to all who are willing to be temperate in all things (see Prov. 23:20, 21, 29-32; 1 Cor. 6:10; CH 125).

 How can anyone who refuses to abandon lifelong habits of wrong indulgence, whatever form they may take, hope to be blessed by God and receive a welcome into the kingdom of His glory? The only safe course is to remember that the body must be kept in subjection in all things all the time until Jesus comes (see Ps. 51:5; Rom. 7:18, 23, 24; 8:13, 23; 1 Cor. 9:27; Phil. 3:20, 21; Col. 3:5, 6). The blessing of eternal life, which is likened to a crown (Rev. 2:10), will not be bestowed upon those who view this present life as a time for the indulgence of the appetites and passions and the gratification of every wish and desire of the unregenerate nature. God will give eternal life only to those who use this present life as an opportunity to gain the victory over everything that would interfere with mental, physical, and spiritual health, thus demonstrating their true love for, and obedience to, the Saviour, who endured so much for them (see James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; Rev. 2:10; 3:10, 11; 7:14-17).

 Gr. stephanos, “that which surrounds,” or “that which encompasses,” “a wreath,” or “a chaplet,” often consisting of leaves worn as a sign of victory or joy (see on v. 24).

Gr. egkrateuomai, “to exercise self-control.” To have any hope of victory in the games, an athletic competitor must be able to control his desires and appetites. More than this he must be able to make his body respond immediately to the commands of his mind, and must be able to defeat the natural indolence and disinclination to work that so frequently trouble humanity. He must abstain from all that would stimulate, excite, and ultimately enfeeble, such as wine, exciting and luxurious living, and licentious indulgences. He must gain self-control in all things, not only in those that were definitely harmful, but in the use of things not harmful of themselves. He must take all food and drink in strict moderation, and anything that could possibly weaken the body he must entirely reject.

 The Christian who is striving to secure the prize of eternal life must follow a program that resembles in some respects that of the contestant in the Greek games. Courage, faith, perseverance, self-denial, and industry are as necessary for him who seeks to be accounted worthy to stand before the Lord at the last, as they are for the athletes who compete for earthly honors that are of a brief duration (cf. Matt. 24:13; Luke 13:24; Phil. 3:13-15; 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 2:4, 5; 4:7; Heb. 12:1-4; James 1:12; Rev. 2:10). In the Christian race every contestant who meets the training requirements may receive the prize (see Rev. 2:10; 22:17). Though eternal life is entirely a gift of God, it is given only to those who seek and strive for it with all their energy (see Rom. 2:7; Heb. 3:6, 14).

 Gr. agōnizomai, “to fight,” “to contend,” “to struggle,” “to strive.” Our English word “agonize” comes from agōnizomai. See on Luke 13:24. Contesting for the victory in the Grecian games meant more than the making of a spasmodic effort; it was a struggle from start to finish, without any relaxation along the way.