1 Corinthians 9:19-27 - Paul's Work As An Apostle
19 For though I be free from all men, I have made myself the servant of all, that I might gain the more. 20 And I became to the Jews as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to those under the law, as under the law, that I might gain those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not as being without law to God, but under the law to Christ), that I might gain those who were without law. 22 I became to the weak as weak, that I might gain the weak; I became all things to all men, that by every means I might save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be a partaker of it with you.
24 Know ye not that they who run on the course, all run indeed, yet but one obtaineth the price? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every one who contendeth [in the games] is temperate in all things: they indeed therefore do it that they may receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run not as uncertainly; so do I exercise with my fists, not as striking the air: 27 but I beat down my body, and bring it into subjection, that I may not by any means, after having preached to others, myself become reprobate.