Bible verses about running the race, sports and perseverance

You may have arrived at this page purely because you are searching for Bible verses about running the race, sports and perseverance. Or perhaps you wanted to find a Bible verse with a sports or sports associated theme or metaphor such as competition, winning, failure or exhaustion.

If so, we hope you find our selection of Bible verses about running the race, sports and perseverance encouraging and helpful as a starting point. There are also further reading links with more verses and opinion about sports mentioned in the Bible at the end of this article.

This list of verses from the King James Version of the Bible is in no particular order, just a list of encouraging and uplifting Bible verses. If you roll over the Bible reference, an ESV version of the verse will pop up.

Wherefore 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, Looking 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.
Hebrews 12:1-2

When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
Proverbs 4:12

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 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.
2 Timothy 4:7-8

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And 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. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But 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.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27

But 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.
Isaiah 40:31

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:24

And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
2 Timothy 2:5

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.
Ecclesiastes 9:11

Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
Galatians 5:7

Direct Bible references to sport itself are very rare

As we write this, the Paris Olympic Games are in full flow. So what verses in the Bible relate to running, sport and exercise? Although direct references to sport are rare in the Bible, it is interesting to note that the Bible specifically includes verses related to competing and pressing on towards the goal in relation to the Christian life.

There are helpful parallels regarding running and sports that can aid our understanding about our life and position in Christ, in the world and with God. Sometimes by using a metaphor, it can help us make a visual connection in our hearts and minds about whatever important lesson is being taught in the Bible.

Certainly in Roman times there were games and sports (some very brutal) and so even then, when the disciples used any references related to sport and running the race everyone would perhaps have been able to understand more easily the meaning and context of what was being said. We can find Bible verses about running the race, sports and perseverance to challenge and guide us and help us understand our Christian life in today’s context and know what God speaking specifically to us through the scriptures.

Sometimes being a Christian (or just life in general) can feel like you’re running a marathon through mud

There are a few very well known phrases in the Bible that God sometimes prompts us as words of encouragement, either personally or for someone else, when things are particularly tough.

These kinds of verses can prayerfully serve as a reminder that, just like competing in the Olympic Games – or indeed any sports, competition or event, there is always hope and perseverance. These core encouragements can help you get through when the going gets tough as you hold your head up and keep your eyes ahead on the finishing post (wherever and whatever that actually looks like for any person or particular situation).

Of course, sometimes even the best and most well trained athlete may feel exhausted and unable to continue despite all their practice and effort. The same can be said of the Christian life – if you strive to do everything exactly right in the Christian life and live soley under the laws of God trying not to break them every single hour of every single day you’ll quickly become spiritually empty and emotionally exhausted. Only grace can fill the gaps. Meanwhile, keep on pressing on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called you heavenward in Christ Jesus…

‘Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.’ – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, NIV

Whatever speaks to you, we hope these reminders of Bible verses about running the race, sports and perseverance will help you focus as you seek God for His will and purposes in your life. We pray also that God would speak afresh through these verses to you if you are praying for someone you know.