The Need for Self-Discipline

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?^(A) Run^(B) in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown^(C) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.^{(D) 26} Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;^(E) I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.^{(F) 27} No, I strike a blow to my body^(G) and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.^(H)

¹⁰ Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us,^(A) because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.^(B)

¹¹ If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?^(A)