16 Bible Verses about Athletics
Most Relevant Verses
But I hold not my life of any account, as dear unto myself, if only I may run my race, and accomplish the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to attest the gospel of the grace of God.
(I went up at that time in obedience to a revelation). And I laid before them the gospel which I am wont to preach among the Gentiles. I did this privately before those in authority, lest by any means I should be running, or should already have run, in vain.
You were running your race nobly. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

holding out a message of life. Thus it will be my boast at the day of Christ that I have not run in vain, or toiled for nothing.
This charge then, I am laying upon you, Timothy, my son, according to the predictions formerly made concerning you. Fight the good fight in the spirit of these predictions, keeping fast hold of faith and a good conscience; which certain individuals have cast aside, and so made shipwreck of their faith.
A soldier in active service avoids entangling himself in the every-day affairs of life, so that he may please his commander. And again, an athlete is not crowned unless he obeys the rules of the game.
Do you not know that in a foot-race, though all run, only one receives the prize? So run that you may win. Every man who contends in the games continually trains himself by all manner of self-restraint. Now they do it to get a fading garland, but we, one that is unfading. For my part, then, I run with no wavering to the goal. I box not as one beating the air,read more.
but I bruise my body and keep it in subjection, lest having called others to the contest, I should myself be disqualified.
Seeing then that we are encircled with this great cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and the sin that clings about us. Let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
I do not say that I have already won, or am already perfect, but I am passing on to lay hold on the prize for which also Christ has laid hold of me. Brothers, I do not regard myself to have yet laid hold of it; but this one thing I do, forgetting what is behind me, but straining every nerve toward that which lies ahead, I am ever pressing on toward the goal, for the prize of God's heavenward call in Christ Jesus.
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.
I am coming quickly. Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
I have fought in the glorious contest; I have run the race; I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the garland of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that Day, and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
Every man who contends in the games continually trains himself by all manner of self-restraint. Now they do it to get a fading garland, but we, one that is unfading.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Then, when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you too will receive the fadeless wreath of glory.
Fear not what you are about to suffer! Behold, the devil is indeed going to put some of you in prison, that you may be tested, and you will have persecution for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
From Thematic Bible
Athletics » The Christian life compared to a foot-race » Striving for the prize
Do you not know that in a foot-race, though all run, only one receives the prize? So run that you may win.
(I went up at that time in obedience to a revelation). And I laid before them the gospel which I am wont to preach among the Gentiles. I did this privately before those in authority, lest by any means I should be running, or should already have run, in vain.
Athletics » The Christian life compared to a foot-race » Hindrances to the runner
You were running your race nobly. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
holding out a message of life. Thus it will be my boast at the day of Christ that I have not run in vain, or toiled for nothing.
Athletics » The Christian life compared to a foot-race » Pressing toward the goal
I am ever pressing on toward the goal, for the prize of God's heavenward call in Christ Jesus.
Athletics » The Christian life compared to a foot-race » The home stretch
I have fought in the glorious contest; I have run the race; I have kept the faith.
Athletics » The Christian life compared to a foot-race » The prize won
Henceforth there is laid up for me the garland of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that Day, and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
Athletics » The Christian life compared to a foot-race » Stripping for the contest
Seeing then that we are encircled with this great cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and the sin that clings about us. Let us run with patience the race that is set before us,