zbusc,
Without works your faith is dead. James 2:17
Paul knows he is not guaranteed salvation, that is why he worked harder than anybody 1 Cor 15:10
Paul hopes that he might be a partaker of the Gospel 1 Cor 9:23
Paul fears he might be disqualified from the imperishable crown 1 Cor 9:27
Paul says be imitators of him as he is of Jesus 1Cor 11:1
Jesus is working as is his Father. John 5:17
