Discipline and the Race for the Prize

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

have ye not known that those running in a race--all indeed run, but one doth receive the prize? so run ye, that ye may obtain;

and every one who is striving, is in all things temperate; these, indeed, then, that a corruptible crown they may receive, but we an incorruptible;

I, therefore, thus run, not as uncertainly, thus I fight, as not beating air;

but I chastise my body, and bring it into servitude, lest by any means, having preached to others--I myself may become disapproved.