1 Corinthians 9:19-27 - Paul's Work As An Apostle
19 For being free from all, I have subjected myself to all, that I might gain the more. 20 And I was to the Jews as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews: to them under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them under the law; 21 To the lawless, as lawless, (not being lawless to God, but subject to the law to Christ,) that I might gain the lawless, 22 I became to the weak as weak, that I might gain the weak: I have been all things to all, that altogether I might save some. 23 And this. I do on account of the good news, that I might become a partaker of it.
24 Do ye not know that they running in a race-course, all truly run, and one receives the prize of combat? Do ye so run, that ye might receive. 25 And every one contending for the prize, has self command in all things. These surely therefore that they might receive a corruptible crown; and we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so practise I pugilism, as not laying stripes upon air: 27 But I give my body a blow under the eyes, and reduce to bondage: lest having proclaimed to others, I myself be rejected.