ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 9 v24

NOT ALL ARE CROWNED. PSEUDO-CLEMENT: So then, my brothers, let us strive, knowing that the contest is close at hand and that many make voyages for corruptible contests, but not all are crowned—only those who have labored much and striven well. 2 CLEMENT 7.

THE HARSH REGIMEN OF THE ATHLETE. TERTULLIAN: Your master, Jesus Christ, has anointed you with his Spirit and has brought you to this training ground. He determined long before the day of the contest to take you from a softer way of life to a harsher regimen, that your strength may increase. Athletes are set apart for more rigid training to apply themselves to the building up of their physical strength. They are kept from lavish living, from more tempting dishes, from more pleasurable drinks. They are urged on, they are subjected to tortuous toils, they are worn out. The more strenuously they have exerted themselves, the greater is their hope of victory. TO THE MARTYRS 3.3.

GREATNESS OF SOUL. GREGORY OF NYSSA: As far as you extend your efforts in behalf of piety, so far will the greatness of your soul extend through efforts and toils toward what the Lord urges us. ON THE CHRISTIAN MODE OF LIFE.

THE DILIGENCE REQUIRED TO WIN. CHRYSOSTOM: Paul says this not because he thinks that only one person will be saved but because he wants to point out how much diligence is required in order to succeed. It is not enough merely to believe and then contend in any which way. Unless we have run our race in such a way as to be blameless and to come near to the prize, it will not benefit us. Even if you think you are perfect in your knowledge you have still not obtained everything, so you must continue to run in order to obtain the prize. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 23.1.

THE SACRED CONTEST. PSEUDO-DIONYSIUS: The initiate is summoned to the sacred contests, which, with Christ as his trainer, he must undertake. For it is Christ who, as God, arranges the match, as sage lays down the rules, as beauty is a worthy prize for the victors, and more divinely as goodness is present with the athletes, defending their freedom and guaranteeing their victory over the forces of death and destruction. And so the initiate will quite gladly hurl himself into what he knows to be divine contests, and he will follow and scrupulously observe the wise rules of the game. … He will follow the divine tracks established by the goodness of the first of athletes. THE ECCLESIASTICAL HIERARCHY 3.6.

WILLING AND RUNNING BY GRACE. AUGUSTINE: It is not from the one who wills nor from the one that runs but from God who has mercy that we obtain what we hope for and reach what we desire. Esau was unwilling and did not run. Had he been willing and had he run, he would have obtained the help of God who by calling him would have given him the power both to will and to run. TO SIMPLICIAN 10.

1 Cor