By Clement Harrold
March 14, 2025
One of the many ways in which Christianity diverged from the religions of the ancient world was through its affirmation of the goodness of the body. While pagan philosophers like Plato viewed the body as a prison which the soul needed to escape, Christians made the startling claim that God Himself had taken on a body. In no way, therefore, could human flesh be regarded as something evil.
This helps explain why St. Paul frequently uses body and fitness analogies in his epistles, such as when he urges the Corinthian church:
Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, 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. Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Cor 9:24-27)
St. Paul emphasizes that the most important race we’ll ever run is the race to heaven, and bodily discipline remains a crucial part of that process. As such, running for the sake of a perishable wreath still has plenty of value, so long as we see it as an occasion to grow in virtue and give glory to God.
What follows are seven Scripture verses especially applicable to athletes. All quotations are taken from the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition.
7 Bible Verses for Athletes
1. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. (Psalm 73:26)
Even when we feel weak and discouraged, we can still find consolation in the God who gives us strength.
2. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. (Matthew 6:33)
Our Lord’s words remind us that we need a proper hierarchy of values: material and bodily goods are important, but they must always be in service of the kingdom.
3. And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:9)
If we feel like giving up because of our lack of progress, St. Paul’s words challenge us to persevere, trusting that our efforts will yield fruit in due season.
4. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
When we commit our lives to Christ, we discover the grace of relying less and less on ourselves, and more and more on Him.
5. Train yourself in godliness; 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. (1 Timothy 4:7-8)
Bodily training is a good thing, but we should always make sure it’s oriented toward the even greater good of spiritual training.
6. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
As we noted above, Christians are big believers in the goodness of the body. This means staying fit and healthy aren’t just nice lifestyle choices; they’re essential ways of giving glory to God.
7. 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 perseverance the race that is set before us. (Hebrews 12:1)
The passage from Hebrews goes on to describe how we ought to keep Jesus as our model in all things. Also check out Hebrews 12:11 for some tough words on the value of self-discipline!
Chariots of Fire
In addition to the seven verses above, aspiring athletes may enjoy praying with a well-known passage from Isaiah 40:
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary,
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
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. (Is 40:28-31)
Fans of the 1981 film Chariots of Fire will remember that this passage is read by Eric Liddell (played by Ian Charleson) as part of a sermon he delivers in church.
During the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, Liddell refused to participate in the 100 metres race—his best event—because the heats were held on a Sunday. Instead, he chose to compete in the 400 meters, which was held on a weekday. Liddell was much less well suited to the 400 meters event, but he defied the odds and went on to win it (setting new Olympic and world records in the process).
The morning before the race, Liddell was handed a piece of paper by a friend. The note wished him luck and included the text of 1 Samuel 2:30: “those who honor me I will honor.” Valuable words for any athlete!
Further Reading
Thomas J. Paprocki, Running for a Higher Purpose: 8 Steps to Spiritual and Physical Fitness (Ave Maria Press, 2021)
About Clement Harrold
Clement Harrold earned his master’s degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame in 2024, and his bachelor’s from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2021. His writings have appeared in First Things, Church Life Journal, Crisis Magazine, and the Washington Examiner.
