The Christian WarfarePaul presents before us the spiritual warfare and its reward, in contrast with the various games instituted among the heathen in honor of their gods. Young men who were trained for these games practiced close self-denial and the most severe discipline. Every indulgence which would have a tendency to weaken physical power was forbidden. Those who submitted to the training process were not allowed wine or luxurious food, for these would debilitate instead of increasing personal vigor, healthful activity, fortitude, and firmness. Many witnesses, kings and nobles, were present on these occasions. It was considered the highest honor to gain a simple chaplet which would fade in a few short hours. But after the competitors for this perishable crown had exercised severe abstemiousness and submitted to rigid discipline in order to obtain personal vigor and activity with the hope of becoming victors, even then they were not sure of the prize. The prize could be awarded to but one. Some might labor fully as hard as others, and put forth their utmost powers to gain the crowning honor; but as they reached forth the hand to secure the prize, another, an instant before them, might grasp the coveted treasure. {4T 33.3}

Den kristne krigsførelse
Paulus fremstiller den åndelige krigsførelse og dens belønning for os, og sammenlignier med forskellige lege hedningene indførte, for at ære for deres guder. Unge mænd som er oplært i disse lege udviste nøje selvfornægtelse og den strengeste disciplin. Enhver eftergivenhed der svækker fysiske kræfter var forbudt. Dem som lod sig optræne blev ikke tilladt vin eller luksuriøs mad, for dette ville nedsætte i stedet for at forøge (34) den personlige livskraft, sundhedsaktiviteter, sjælsstyrke og fasthed. Mange vidner, konger og adelsmænd var til stede ved disse lejligheder. Det blev betragtet som den største ære at vinde en simpel krans som ville visne i løbet af nogle få korte timer. Men efter konkurrenterne, for denne forgængelige krones skyld, havde udvist streng afholdenhed og underkastet sig streng disciplin for at få egen livskraft og arbejde med håb om sejr, var de alligevel ikke sikret prisen. Prisen kunne kun gives til een person. Nogle måtte arbejde lige så hårdt som andre og bruge deres yderste kræfter for at få den kronende ære; men da de rakte hånden ud for at få prisen, kunne en anden, kun et øjeblik før dem, gribe den eftertragtede skat..