What is the prize that Paul is talking about here (from my original post)1 Corinthians 9 (NLT)
24 Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win.
25 All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
26 So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches.[1]
27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Paul, in this same chapter, says that his rewared is this ...1 Corinthians 9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.