47 Motivational Bible Verses for Athletes and Sports

Bible Verses for Athletes

Inspirational Quotes and Bible Verses

You might be preparing hard for a big sporting event, needing motivation, or seeking guidance on how to remain humble in victory. 

Regardless of whether you’re an Olympic athlete or preparing for the next event with your high school track team, the holy bible teaches us all how to be the best versions of ourselves, on and off the playing field. 

With the first Olympic games dated over eight hundred years before the birth of Christ, it isn’t hard to understand why there are so many motivational Bible verses for athletes and sports.

Sportsmanship and the mindset required gives you a great opportunity to deliver the best possible version of yourself. 

In this post, we share inspirational bible verses and scripture quotations to drive you on through your physical training and competitions, helping good athletes become great athletes. 

11 Motivational Bible Verses for athletes and sports

Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand

Isaiah 40:31 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.

Samuel 23:12 But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the LORD worked a great victory.

Bible Verses for Athletes
Bible Verses for Athletes

Psalm 3:6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.

Deuteronomy 31:6 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.

Mark 9:23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

Bible Verses for Athletes
Bible Verses for Athletes

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Bible Verses for Athletes
Bible Verses for Athletes

Galatians 1:5 To God be the glory forever and ever! Amen

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

10 Bible Quotes on Sportsmanship

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 

Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Proverbs 25:27 It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.

Bible Verses for Athletes
Bible Verses for Athletes

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 

Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Bible Verses for Athletes
Bible Verses for Athletes

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity

2 Timothy 2:5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

Bible Verses for Athletes
Bible Verses for Athletes

Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

7 Bible Quotes For Preparation

1 Peter 1:13–16 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.

1 Timothy 4:8 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.

Bible Verses for Athletes
Bible Verses for Athletes

Colossians 3:23-24 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

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Bible Verses for Athletes
Bible Verses for Athletes

Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

1 Timothy 4:8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Psalm 118:13-14 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

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8 Bible Quotes For Competition

2 Timothy 2:5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

Psalm 16:8 I keep the Lord in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Bible Verses for Athletes
Bible Verses for Athletes

2 Timothy 2:5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27  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 van 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.

Peter 1:13  Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep a clear head, and set your hope completely on the grace to be given you when Jesus, the Messiah, is revealed.

Bible Verses for Athletes
Bible Verses for Athletes

1 Timothy 6:11–12 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

Titus 2:7 in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching.

6 Bible Quotes For Perseverance

Philippians 3:12–14 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Bible Verses for Athletes
Bible Verses for Athletes

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.

4 Bible Verses On Winning

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 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 a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

2 Timothy 2:5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules.

Bible Verses for Athletes
Bible Verses for Athletes

1 John 5:4b This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Colossians 4:6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

5 Famous Sports Person Quotes on Religion

“One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching it.” 

 – Knute Rockne

“I have so many things to work on, and so many ways that I fail. But that’s what grace is all about. And I constantly wake up every morning trying to get better, trying to improve, trying to walk closer to God.” 

 – Tim Tebow 

Bible Verses for Athletes
Bible Verses for Athletes

“The prayer offered to God in the morning during your quiet time is the key that unlocks the door of the day. Any athlete knows that it is the start that ensures a good finish.” 

 – Adrian Rogers

“Being a Christian means accepting Christ as your savior, your God. That’s why you are called a ‘Christian.’ If you remove Christ, there’s only ‘ian’ and that means ‘I am nothing.”

 – Manny Pacquiao

“Golf is just an avenue for Jesus to use me to reach as many people as I can.”

  – Bubba Watson

Bible Verses For Athletes - The Bottom Line

While there is no substitute for the hard work required to become an athlete, you can see why the Holy Bible is such a popular place for an athlete’s motivation. 

For more motivational Bible verses for athletes and sports, check out our post of 113 of the most powerful Christian Quotes on the internet.

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