ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 9 v26

FIGHTING EFFECTIVELY. AMBROSIASTER: Paul means that he fights not merely with his words but with his deeds. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

INTO THE ARENA. AMBROSE: Like an athlete he comes last into the arena. He lifts his eyes to heaven. … He sees that his whole task awaits him. … He chastises his body so that it will not defeat him in the contest. He anoints it with the oil of mercy. He practices daily exhibitions of virtue. He smears himself with dust. He runs with assurance to the goal of the course. He aims his blows, he darts his arms, but not at empty spaces. … Earth is man’s training ground, heaven his crown. LETTER 49.

PARRYING BLOWS. AMBROSE: Like a good athlete, Paul knew how to parry the blows of the opposing powers and even to strike them as they advanced to the attack. PARADISE 12.56.

THIS WORLD AND THE NEXT. JEROME: So run in this world as to obtain in the next. AGAINST THE PELAGIANS 1.

THE POWERS OF THE AIR. THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: The “air” here refers to the powers of evil. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

1 Cor