Paul’s point was that to gain the prize in the race for life, it is essential for runners to remove hindrances of any sort.
وَكَمْ كَانَتْ هذِهِ ٱلْمَشُورَةُ سَدِيدَةً لِلْمَسِيحِيِّينَ آنَذَاكَ ،‏ وَكَمْ هِيَ فِي حِينِهَا لَنَا ٱلْيَوْمَ !‏