The 27 Best Bible Verses For Athletes and Teams

I believe the Bible is relevant and applicable in every situation. When you read the Bible, you’ll find insight, encouragement, and perspective for every situation.

There are scriptures for us when we’re at our best, and others that will help us at our lowest moments.

Here are my favorite Bible verses for athletes, teams, and competition.

Scriptures about teamwork

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV

“For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ.”
1 Corinthians 12:12 CSB

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.”
Romans 15:1 NIV

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17 NIV

“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.”
1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV

“Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 AMP

“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.”
Galatians 6:4 NLT

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,”
Romans 15:5 NIV

Scriptures for working hard

“Let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,”
Hebrews 12:1-2 AMPC

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.”
Hebrews 12:11-12 NIV

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act,”
Psalm 37:5 CSB

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

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.”
1 Timothy 4:8 AMP

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might;”
Ecclesiastes 9:10 NKJV

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.“
Colossians 3:23 NIV

Scriptures for competition

“The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.”
Deuteronomy 28:13 NIV

“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.”
1 Corinthians 9:25 NIV

“Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in an abundance of counselors there is victory.”
Proverbs 11:14 NASB

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

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours!”
1 Corinthians 9:24 AMP

Encouraging scriptures for athletes

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13 NKJV

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:2 NKJV

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 NIV

“In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.”
Psalm 18:29 NLT

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV