Why would Paul, who I would think would meet the definition of "saved" need to keep running the race? Persevere for what? One only needs to preserver until the end of something. Eternal salvation is true, true and true, but only after the racers have run and they have persevered until the end that is death. That is the point at which salvation becomes eternal, that is the point of perseverance, that is when our Lord will say "well done my good and faithful servant!", I was saved at my baptism, I am being saved as I persevere and I will be saved at my death if I have persevered through His grace to the end of the race.
I was saved when I was born again.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
...if I have persevered through His grace to the end of the race.
If I have persevered? Where is that in Scripture? Where is it that if I continue to DO anything save believe on the Lord Jesus Christ I will be saved?
In Christ...Alone!
I did not claim anything about the number of languages into which Calvin translated the Bible. He was part of the reformation that pried it out of the back closet of the RCC and began putting it into language people could read.
Context - study the Biblical doctrine of salvation, not simply the occurrence of the word in a verse. Of course, Arminius’ theology has much more in common with RCC theology than does Reformed theology. And Arminianism was declared by good folk as heresy at the council of Dort in 1618.
“Why would Paul, who I would think would meet the definition of “saved” need to keep running the race?”
All of these verses explain why Paul was running; not because he feared losing his salvation, but out of love and reward of pleasing his Savior.
2 Cor. 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
1 Cor. 3:12-15 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1Cr 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Phl 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
1Cor 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Jam 1:12 Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
1Pe 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
2Ti 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Hbr 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
As a child you want to please your parents and not shame the family name. You may be alienated from the family and even disowned but it does not cut off the family genes. You are still biologically the family; so to with the family of God.