Then Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men now stand and have a contest before us.” And Joab said, “Let them stand.”

"Is this a contest of strength? He is obviously stronger! Is this a matter of justice? Who can sue him?

but if the contest be about other matters, it may be decided in a regular assembly.

but when a contest arises, you must refer the decision to infidels?

Any man who enters an athletic contest practices rigid self-control in training, only to win a wreath that withers, but we are in to win a wreath that never withers.

But am beating my body under, and leading it captive, lest, by any means, - unto others, having proclaimed, the contest , I myself, should be rejected.

If, however, any one still thinks it right to contest the point-well, we have no such custom, nor have the Churches of God.

For our contest is not with human foes alone, but with the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark world; that is, with the spirit-forces of evil challenging us in the heavenly contest.

So you must take on God's full armor, so as to be able to take a stand in the day when evil attacks you, and, after having completely finished the contest, to hold your own.

Having, the same contest, which ye have seen in me, and now hear to be in me.

For I would have you know how great a contest I am waging for you and the brethren in Laodicea, and for all who have never seen my face.

But also having suffered before, and having been injured, as ye know, among the Philippians, we acted freely in our God to speak to you the good news of God with much contest.

For what is [the basis of] our hope, or joy, or crown of honor in the presence of the Lord Jesus when He comes back? [Note: By "crown" Paul alludes to the laurel wreath awarded to the victor in an athletic contest]. Will it not be you people?

Ever reject these profane and old womanish myths; and continually train yourself for the contest of godliness.

Keep contending in the noble contest of the faith; seize hold on eternal life, to which you were called when you confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

And if any one takes part in an athletic contest, he gets no prize unless he obeys the rules.

I have fought in the glorious contest; I have run the race; I have kept the faith.

But remember the former days, in which, after being enlightened, ye endured a great contest of sufferings.

Who, through faith - prevailed in contest over kingdoms, wrought righteousness, attained unto promises, shut the mouths of lions,

Therefore we also, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, having put off every weight and cleverly entangling sin, let us run by perseverance the contest being set before us.

Not yet unto blood, have ye resisted, against sin, waging a contest;

And when the Supreme Shepherd [i.e., Jesus] comes back, you will receive [for your effort] a glorious crown [of reward] that will never fade away [Note: The idea of "fading away" is suggested by the laurel wreath bestowed on the winner of an athletic contest].