1 Corinthians 9

Paul uses his own life as an example of willingly giving up personal rights for the sake of the gospel. As an apostle, he had the right to be paid and to travel with a believing wife, but he forfeited these rights so that nothing would hinder the gospel message. Paul uses the analogy of an athlete training diligently to win a perishable prize. He encourages them to live with discipline, stating, "I beat my body and make it my slave" so he doesn't become disqualified.