100 Bible Verses about Competition

Philippians 2:3-4 ESV / 1,140 helpful votes

Do nothing from selfish ambition 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.

1 Corinthians 9:24 ESV / 1,117 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.

Colossians 3:23 ESV / 1,070 helpful votes

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

2 Timothy 2:5 ESV / 887 helpful votes

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

Galatians 6:4 ESV / 880 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.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 852 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Luke 1:37 ESV / 809 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 779 helpful votes

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

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV / 777 helpful votes

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

Luke 16:15 ESV / 759 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 / 701 helpful votes

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

Colossians 3:17 ESV / 696 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.

Galatians 6:9 ESV / 689 helpful votes

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

John 15:13 ESV / 669 helpful votes

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

1 Corinthians 9:25 ESV / 648 helpful votes

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

James 4:6 ESV / 646 helpful votes

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

Ecclesiastes 4:4 ESV / 630 helpful votes

Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

2 Corinthians 10:12 ESV / 623 helpful votes

Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

Matthew 19:30 ESV / 620 helpful votes

But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Psalm 108:13 ESV / 615 helpful votes

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

Galatians 5:26 ESV / 608 helpful votes

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Ecclesiastes 2:22-26 ESV / 562 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.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 478 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Proverbs 25:27 ESV / 439 helpful votes

It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.

Hebrews 12:1 ESV / 391 helpful votes

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Isaiah 40:31 ESV / 376 helpful votes

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 371 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 363 helpful votes

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 356 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

1 Peter 2:23 ESV / 341 helpful votes

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

1 Peter 2:21 ESV / 341 helpful votes

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

Colossians 3:12 ESV / 330 helpful votes

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

Proverbs 13:10 ESV / 329 helpful votes

By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.

Isaiah 5:8 ESV / 323 helpful votes

Woe to those who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is no more room, and you are made to dwell alone in the midst of the land.

Proverbs 16:18 ESV / 320 helpful votes

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV / 317 helpful votes

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ESV / 316 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. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

1 John 2:15-17 ESV / 307 helpful votes

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

2 Timothy 4:7 ESV / 307 helpful votes

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Proverbs 14:12 ESV / 307 helpful votes

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Jude 1:6 ESV / 304 helpful votes

And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day—

Romans 8:7 ESV / 304 helpful votes

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.

Colossians 3:23-24 ESV / 301 helpful votes

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

John 8:44 ESV / 301 helpful votes

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Acts 20:24 ESV / 287 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.

Isaiah 14:12-15 ESV / 279 helpful votes

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.

Ephesians 6:12 ESV / 277 helpful votes

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

James 4:1 ESV / 276 helpful votes

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

Deuteronomy 28:1 ESV / 271 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.

Philippians 4:6 ESV / 256 helpful votes

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 253 helpful votes

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. ...

1 Timothy 6:6-8 ESV / 253 helpful votes

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

John 15:2 ESV / 244 helpful votes

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Hebrews 12:11 ESV / 243 helpful votes

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

1 Corinthians 1:11 ESV / 232 helpful votes

For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.

2 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 230 helpful votes

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

James 3:13-18 ESV / 229 helpful votes

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. ...

Galatians 5:20 ESV / 225 helpful votes

Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,

John 3:16 ESV / 223 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Matthew 7:2 ESV / 198 helpful votes

For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 197 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Matthew 5:3 ESV / 196 helpful votes

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

1 John 2:15-16 ESV / 194 helpful votes

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 176 helpful votes

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 174 helpful votes

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Matthew 28:19 ESV / 173 helpful votes

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Philippians 2:2 ESV / 162 helpful votes

Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Matthew 19:26 ESV / 159 helpful votes

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV / 158 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Romans 5:8 ESV / 157 helpful votes

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Acts 17:10-11 ESV / 156 helpful votes

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Matthew 5:16 ESV / 156 helpful votes

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

John 16:33 ESV / 148 helpful votes

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

1 Timothy 4:8 ESV / 147 helpful votes

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Isaiah 14:12-14 ESV / 146 helpful votes

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’

John 13:34-35 ESV / 138 helpful votes

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Ecclesiastes 4:4-8 ESV / 137 helpful votes

Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh. Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind. Again, I saw vanity under the sun: one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business.

Philippians 3:12-14 ESV / 129 helpful votes

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 13:2 ESV / 128 helpful votes

Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

Psalm 37:5 ESV / 127 helpful votes

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

Philippians 3:14 ESV / 124 helpful votes

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 6:14 ESV / 124 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.

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 123 helpful votes

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 121 helpful votes

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

James 3:14-16 ESV / 120 helpful votes

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Luke 18:14 ESV / 120 helpful votes

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

1 Corinthians 4:7 ESV / 119 helpful votes

For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

Ecclesiastes 9:11 ESV / 119 helpful votes

Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.

1 Samuel 18:7-9 ESV / 116 helpful votes

And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” And Saul eyed David from that day on.

Philippians 3:13-14 ESV / 111 helpful votes

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

1 Samuel 18:15-16 ESV / 111 helpful votes

And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.

Mark 9:23 ESV / 110 helpful votes

And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV / 108 helpful votes

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 ESV / 108 helpful votes

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Matthew 9:37-38 ESV / 108 helpful votes

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

1 Corinthians 4:6 ESV / 99 helpful votes

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

1 Corinthians 1:31 ESV / 88 helpful votes

So that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Matthew 28:2 ESV / 66 helpful votes

And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.

Genesis 2:2 ESV / 62 helpful votes

And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.

John 15:3 ESV / 58 helpful votes

Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

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