Any man who enters an athletic contest goes into strict training, to win a wreath that will soon wither, but the one we compete for will never wither.

But I beat and bruise my body and make it my slave, so that after I have called others to the contest I may not be disqualified myself.

Enter the great contest of faith! Take hold of eternal life, to which God called you, when before many witnesses you made the great profession of faith.

I have had a part in the great contest, I have run my race, I have preserved my faith.