Sports and competition

Sports and competition as organized games are not named in the Bible. This page lists the verses that use running, wrestling, and athletic contests as pictures of the Christian life, along with verses on bodily training, strength, and rivalry.

Running the race

• 1 Corinthians 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.Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize.
  Show context · Read 1 Corinthians 9 →
• Hebrews 12:1-2
  ¹Wherefore 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,Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. ²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
  Show context · Read Hebrews 12 →
• Philippians 3:14
  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.
  Show context · Read Philippians 3 →
• 2 Timothy 4:7
  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
  Show context · Read 2 Timothy 4 →
• Galatians 5:7
  Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth?
  Show context · Read Galatians 5 →

Training and self-control

• 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
  ²⁵And 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.Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable. ²⁶I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. ²⁷But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
  Show context · Read 1 Corinthians 9 →
• 1 Timothy 4:8
  For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.
  Show context · Read 1 Timothy 4 →
• 2 Timothy 2:5
  And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.
  Show context · Read 2 Timothy 2 →

The crown

• 2 Timothy 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.From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
  Show context · Read 2 Timothy 4 →
• James 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.Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
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• 1 Peter 5:4
  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
  Show context · Read 1 Peter 5 →

Wrestling

• Ephesians 6:12
  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
  Show context · Read Ephesians 6 →
• Genesis 32:24-25
  ²⁴And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak. ²⁵And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.When the man saw that he could not overpower Jacob, he struck the socket of Jacob’s hip and dislocated it as they wrestled.
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Strength and speed

• Ecclesiastes 9:11
  I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither is the bread to the wise, nor the wealth to the intelligent, nor the favor to the skillful. For time and chance happen to all.
  Show context · Read Ecclesiastes 9 →
• Isaiah 40:30-31
  ³⁰Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. ³¹But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
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• Psalm 147:10-11
  ¹⁰He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legpower of the man. ¹¹The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him, who hope in His loving devotion.
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• Psalm 18:33-34
  ³³He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.He makes my feet like those of a deer and stations me upon the heights. ³⁴He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
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Rivalry and humility

• Philippians 2:3
  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
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• Galatians 5:26
  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.
  Show context · Read Galatians 5 →
• Ecclesiastes 4:4
  Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
  Show context · Read Ecclesiastes 4 →
• Romans 12:10
  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
  Show context · Read Romans 12 →

See also

• Self-control
• Care of the body
• Victory
• Rewards
• Humility

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.