The concept of competition is present in various forms throughout the Bible, often illustrating spiritual truths and moral lessons. While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "compete" in the modern sense of athletic or business competition, it does provide principles that can be applied to competitive situations.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 : "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize. Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable. Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified."

· Interpretation: The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of a race to describe the Christian life, emphasizing the need for discipline, focus, and perseverance. The ultimate goal is not a temporary reward but an eternal one. This passage encourages believers to strive diligently in their spiritual walk, akin to athletes competing for a prize.

2. Philippians 3:13-14 : "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid 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 of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus."

· Interpretation: Paul speaks of pressing on toward a spiritual goal, likening it to a race. The focus is on forward momentum and the pursuit of a higher calling, which requires effort and determination.

3. 2 Timothy 2:5 : "Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules."

· Interpretation: This verse highlights the importance of integrity and adherence to God's commandments in the pursuit of spiritual goals. Just as athletes must compete according to the rules to win, Christians are called to live righteously to receive their heavenly reward.

Principles of Godly Competition:

· Discipline and Self-Control: The Bible emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and control in the pursuit of any goal, whether spiritual or temporal. This is evident in Paul's writings, where he often uses athletic metaphors to describe the Christian life.

· Focus on Eternal Rewards: While earthly competitions often focus on temporary gains, the Bible encourages believers to set their sights on eternal rewards. This perspective shifts the motivation from self-glorification to glorifying God.

· Integrity and Fairness: Competing according to the rules is a biblical principle that underscores the importance of honesty and fairness. Christians are called to uphold these values in all areas of life, including competitive endeavors.

· Encouragement and Support: Hebrews 10:24-25 states, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This passage highlights the importance of community and mutual encouragement, even in competitive settings.

Conclusion:

The Bible provides a framework for understanding competition through the lens of spiritual growth and moral integrity. By focusing on eternal rewards, maintaining discipline, and adhering to principles of fairness, believers can engage in competition in a way that honors God and reflects Christian values.(v. i.) To contend emulously; to seek or strive for the same thing, position, or reward for which another is striving; to contend in rivalry, as for a prize or in business; as, tradesmen compete with one another.4866. sunathleo -- to strive with
... to strive with. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sunathleo Phonetic Spelling:
(soon-ath-leh'-o) Short Definition: I compete together with others Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4866.htm - 6k

118. athleo -- to contend, wrestle
... to contend, wrestle. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: athleo Phonetic Spelling:
(ath-leh'-o) Short Definition: I compete Definition: I engage, compete, in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/118.htm - 6k

75. agonizomai -- to contend for a prize, struggle
... From agon; to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), figuratively (to contend
with an adversary), or genitive case (to endeavor to accomplish something ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/75.htm - 7k

2734. charah -- to burn or be kindled with anger
... 1), angry (18), angry* (5), became (1), became angry (4), became furious (1),
became...angry (3), burn (5), burned (29), burns (1), compete (1), competing (1 ...
/hebrew/2734.htm - 6k

That we Need Only to Read History in Order to See what Calamities ...
... Chapter 3."That We Need Only to Read History in Order to See What Calamities the
Romans Suffered Before the Religion of Christ Began to Compete with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 3 that we need only.htm

Christmas Day
... owns no good save ease, no ill save pain, No purpose, save its share in that wild
war In which, through countless ages, living things Compete in internecine ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/christmas day.htm

The Five Books Against Marcion
... Marcion's Scheme Absurdly Defective, Not Furnishing Evidence for His New God's
Existence, Which Should at Least Be Able to Compete with the Full Evidence of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/the five books against marcion/

Emancipation --Black and White.
... disabilities are removed, and our prognathous relative has a fair field and no favour,
as well as no oppressor, he will be able to compete successfully with ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/ii emancipationblack and white.htm

Book Four this is the Story of his Years among the Manicheans. ...
... 3. I remember too that, when I decided to compete for a theatrical prize, some
magician"I do not remember him now"asked me what I would give him to be ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book four this is the.htm

Of Boasting.
... rendering a man so inconsiderable; for it sets him above the meaner sort of company,
and makes him intolerable to the better, and to compete the parallel, he ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section ix of boasting.htm

Hallowed be Thy Name
... of God, conceiving of Him in various ways, but not all of what He is, for few and,
be it said, fewer than few are they who comprehend His compete holiness"we ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter xiv hallowed be thy.htm

The Adventures of Saint David of Wales.
... prepared, at which all the chief lords and nobles of the realm were present, when
huge beakers of rosy wine were quaffed; nor could anyone compete with Saint ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter ten the adventures of.htm

The Dutch Calvinist Colony on the Hudson and the Swedish Lutheran ...
... taking root in the soil. With all its advantages, the Dutch colony could
not compete with New England. [37] To meet this difficulty ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter vii the dutch calvinist.htm

The Early Fathers Appealed To, and Observed to Bear Favourable ...
... us. 4. Of course, if we possessed copies of the Gospels coeval with their
authors, nothing could compete with such evidence. But ...
/.../chapter iii the early fathers.htm

Compete (3 Occurrences)
... for the same thing, position, or reward for which another is striving; to contend
in rivalry, as for a prize or in business; as, tradesmen compete with one ...
/c/compete.htm - 7k

Compensation (3 Occurrences)

/c/compensation.htm - 8k

Oppose (29 Occurrences)
... bill in Congress. 4. (n.) To compete with; to strive against; as, to oppose
a rival for a prize. 5. (vi) To be set opposite. 6. (vi ...
/o/oppose.htm - 15k

Dye (1 Occurrence)
... by modern chemists, but it is of historical interest only, in the light of the
discovery of modern artificial dyes with which it could not compete commercially ...
/d/dye.htm - 15k

Dyeing
... by modern chemists, but it is of historical interest only, in the light of the
discovery of modern artificial dyes with which it could not compete commercially ...
/d/dyeing.htm - 14k

Mate (9 Occurrences)
... surgeon's mate. 10. (vt) To match; to marry. 11. (vt) To match one's self
against; to oppose as equal; to compete with. 12. (vi) To ...
/m/mate.htm - 10k

Brick (10 Occurrences)
... fact that the government pressed into service her Asiatic captives, among whom were
the Children of Israel, made it impossible for independent makers to compete...
/b/brick.htm - 15k

Competed (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Compete. Multi-Version Concordance
Competed (1 Occurrence). 2 Timothy 2:5 Also, if anyone ...
/c/competed.htm - 6k

Abandon (31 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A lack of inhibition; as, to compete
with reckless abandon. 2. (vt) To give up absolutely; to ...
/a/abandon.htm - 15k

Strive (64 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To vie; to compete; to be a rival. 4. (n.) An effort; a striving. 5. (n.)
Strife; contention. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. STRIVE. striv. ...
/s/strive.htm - 25k

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