In the context of the Bible, the concept of a "competitor" can be understood through various scriptural principles and narratives that highlight themes of rivalry, striving, and the pursuit of excellence. While the term "competitor" itself is not explicitly used in the Berean Standard Bible, the idea is present in several passages that discuss competition, both in a literal and metaphorical sense.

Biblical Principles of Competition

1. Striving for Excellence: The Apostle Paul frequently uses athletic metaphors to describe the Christian life, emphasizing the importance of discipline and perseverance. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 , Paul writes, "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." Here, the concept of competition is used to encourage believers to pursue their spiritual goals with dedication and focus.

2. Healthy Rivalry: Competition can be seen as a means to sharpen one another and grow in wisdom and character. Proverbs 27:17 states, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." This suggests that healthy competition can lead to mutual improvement and the strengthening of relationships.

3. Avoiding Envy and Strife: While competition can be beneficial, the Bible also warns against the dangers of envy and selfish ambition. James 3:16 cautions, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice." Believers are encouraged to compete in a spirit of love and humility, avoiding the pitfalls of pride and rivalry that lead to discord.

Narratives Illustrating Competition

1. Jacob and Esau: The account of Jacob and Esau in Genesis highlights the theme of sibling rivalry and competition for blessings and birthrights. Genesis 25:23 records God's words to Rebekah: "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." This narrative illustrates the complexities of competition within family dynamics and the unfolding of God's sovereign plan.

2. David and Saul: The relationship between David and King Saul is marked by competition and jealousy. As David's popularity and success grew, Saul became increasingly envious, leading to conflict. 1 Samuel 18:7-9 describes the turning point: "And as they danced, the women sang out: 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.' And Saul was furious and resented this song. 'They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,' he said, 'but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?' And from that day forward, Saul kept a jealous eye on David."

3. Paul and Apollos: In the early church, there was a tendency for believers to align themselves with different leaders, creating a sense of competition. Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 3:4-6 : "For when one of you says, 'I follow Paul,' and another, 'I follow Apollos,' are you not mere men? What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role. I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." Paul emphasizes that true growth and success come from God, not from human competition.

Conclusion

The Bible presents a nuanced view of competition, recognizing its potential for both positive and negative outcomes. Believers are encouraged to strive for excellence and engage in healthy rivalry while avoiding envy and selfish ambition. Through the lens of Scripture, competition is ultimately seen as a means to glorify God and edify one another.1. (n.) One who competes; a rival.

2. (n.) An associate; a confederate.

2139. euperistatos -- easily encircling
... From eu and a derivative of a presumed compound of peri and histemi; well standing
around, ie (a competitor) thwarting (a racer) in every direction ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2139.htm - 7k

Dwight -- the Sovereignty of God
... is often astonished, as well as broken-hearted, to find business and fame pass by
his door, and stop at the more favored mansion of some competitor, in his ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/dwight the sovereignty of.htm

From an Epistle to the Antinoites.
... Narcissus salutes you, who held the episcopate in this district before me, who is
now also my colleague and competitor in prayer for you, [1233] and who ...
/.../alexander/the writings of alexander of cappadocia/ii from an epistle to.htm

Synopsis. --The Question, Both Old and New, Now Confronting ...
... All natural operations are to them divine operations. "Nature," said Dr. Martineau,
"is God's mask, not his competitor." While his agency in Nature may be ...
/.../whiton/miracles and supernatural religion/vi synopsis the question both old.htm

Egypt and Greece.
... state. A throne was at hand to which the successful competitor was to be
conducted as soon as the decision should be made. Artabanus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter ii egypt and greece.htm

Further Strictures on the Same Subject.
... year! Do we hesitate, when eternity is at stake, to endure what the
competitor for consulship or pr??torship puts up with? [8522 ...
/.../tertullian/on repentance/chapter xi further strictures on the.htm

The Christian Business World
... They would gladly see things managed so that every employee should be satisfied
with his wages and hours of work and every competitor and customer gratified by ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study xi the christian business.htm

Conversations.
... wind. He flew around the arena with astonishing speed, and came in at the
goal while his competitor was still midway of the course. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter xi conversations.htm

Knox in Scotland: Lethington: Mary of Guise: 1555-1556
... Morton was a mere wavering youth; Argyll was very old: Chatelherault was a rival
of the Regent, a competitor for the Crown and quite incompetent. ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter vii knox in scotland .htm

Lay Hold on Eternal Life.
... His friends began to cheer him, and he, animated by their cheers, gave a responsive
cheer, and, in doing so, lost a stroke of the oar; a competitor seeing his ...
/.../food for the lambs or helps for young christians/lay hold on eternal life.htm

1 John iii. 11, 12
... It can tolerate no competitor, nothing which is not subservient to itself; and hence
it becomes hatred towards another, when through him these selfish ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john iii 11 12.htm

Competitor (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Competitor (1 Occurrence). 1 Corinthians 9:25 But every
competitor in an athletic contest practices abstemiousness in all directions. ...
/c/competitor.htm - 7k

Favorite (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The competitor (as a horse in a race) that is judged most likely
to win; the competitor standing highest in the betting. ...
/f/favorite.htm - 7k

Competition (6 Occurrences)

/c/competition.htm - 8k

Wreath (21 Occurrences)
... man." (WEY). 1 Corinthians 9:25 But every competitor in an athletic contest
practices abstemiousness in all directions. They indeed ...
/w/wreath.htm - 12k

Inroad
... 1. (n.) The entrance for a hostile invasion or encroachment; as making inroads to
a competitor's market; sudden or desultory incursion or invasion; raid ...
/i/inroad.htm - 6k

Isaac (127 Occurrences)
... After the expulsion of Ishmael and Hagar, Isaac had no competitor, and grew up in
the shade of Sarah's tent, moulded into feminine softness by habitual ...
/i/isaac.htm - 60k

Rival (5 Occurrences)
... object as another; one striving to reach or obtain something which another is
attempting to obtain, and which one only can posses; a competitor; as, rivals in ...
/r/rival.htm - 8k

Directions (100 Occurrences)
... Immediately the doors were shut. (See NIV). 1 Corinthians 9:25 But every competitor
in an athletic contest practices abstemiousness in all directions. ...
/d/directions.htm - 38k

Match (4 Occurrences)
... 12. (vt) To furnish with its match; to bring a match, or equal, against; to show
an equal competitor to; to set something in competition with, or in opposition ...
/m/match.htm - 9k

Practices (80 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV). 1 Corinthians 9:25 But every competitor in an athletic contest
practices abstemiousness in all directions. They indeed ...
/p/practices.htm - 29k

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