Theodoret of Cyrus: Prizes for Godly Living

This is the reason we both labor and are reproached, because we have placed our hope in the living God, who is savior of all people, especially believers (v.10): why on earth have we undertaken such great labor as this and are the butt of reproaches on the part of everyone unless there is some reward for the labors? There is a reward, in fact: eternal God awards prizes to the athletes, and he is savior of all people, especially those who believe in him.

- Theodoret of Cyrus (around A.D. 393 to around A.D. 457), Commentary on 1 Timothy, Chapter 4, in Theodoret of Cyrus, Commentary on the Letters of St. Paul, Volume 2, p. 222 (2001), Robert C. Hill translator.