16 Bible Verses about Athletics

But I esteem this a matter of no importance, nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry that I have received from the Lord Jesus, to bear full testimony to the gospel of the grace of God.

And I went up because of a revelation, and communicated to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who are of reputation, lest, by any means, I should run or had run in vain.

You were running well; who kept you back from obedience to the truth?

holding forth the word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain, nor labor in vain.

This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, in accordance with the preceding prophecies concerning you, that by them you may war the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience, which some having thrust from them, as it respects faith have made shipwreck; of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander,

Every one that serves as a soldier keeps himself free from the business of this life, that he may please him that has chosen him to be a soldier. And if any one also contend in the public games, he is not crowned, unless he contend according to the laws.

Know you not that all the runners in the race-course run the race, but that one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain the prize. Every combatant in the public games is temperate in all things: they, indeed, that they may obtain a corruptible, but we, that we may obtain an incorruptible crown. I, therefore, so run, not as with uncertainty; I so aim my blows, not as one that beats the air;read more.
but I put my body under severe discipline, and bring it into subjection, lest, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

Wherefore, since we also have so great a cloud of witnesses lying round about us, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that lies before us,

Not that I have already attained, or have already reached the goal; but I am pressing forward, that I may lay hold on that for which I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not conclude that I have already laid hold: but one thing I do; forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching forward to those which are before, I press toward the goal, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold on eternal life, to which you have been called, and for which you confessed the good confession before many witnesses.

I come quickly: hold fast that which you have, that no one take your crown.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me at that day; and not to me only, but to all those who love his appearing.

Every combatant in the public games is temperate in all things: they, indeed, that they may obtain a corruptible, but we, that we may obtain an incorruptible crown.

Blessed is the man that endures trial: for, being approved, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him.

And when the chief shepherd shall appear, you shall receive the crown of glory that fades not away.

Fear none of the things which you are about to suffer; behold, the devil will throw some of you into prison, that you may be tried: and you shall have affliction ten days. Be faithful till death, and I will give you the crown of life.