What Does the Bible Say About Competition?

1 Corinthians 9:24 ESV / 88 helpful votes

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

Philippians 2:3-4 ESV / 87 helpful votes

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Colossians 3:23 ESV / 82 helpful votes

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

2 Timothy 2:5 ESV / 52 helpful votes

An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

Colossians 3:17 ESV / 33 helpful votes

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 27 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Galatians 6:4 ESV / 26 helpful votes

But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV / 20 helpful votes

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 9:25 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

John 15:13 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

James 4:6 ESV / 14 helpful votes

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Psalm 108:13 ESV / 14 helpful votes

With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Galatians 6:14 ESV / 12 helpful votes

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Luke 1:37 ESV / 12 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Ecclesiastes 2:22-26 ESV / 12 helpful votes

What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity. There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Acts 20:24 ESV / 11 helpful votes

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Proverbs 1:1-33 ESV / 10 helpful votes

The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, ...

Luke 16:15 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 7 helpful votes

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Deuteronomy 28:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. ...

Bible Verses about Competition