English
Português
Español
Français
Answer
The Olympics symbolize the peak of athleticism, training, and competitiveness, tracing back to ancient times. The apostle Paul used analogies from the world of athletics in various letters. In three Epistles, he employed the metaphor of a race to encourage energetic and lawful pursuit of spiritual growth and service. On four occasions, Paul described his own journey and service in terms of such a race.
Addressing the talented yet immature believers in Corinth, Paul wrote, “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” «Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. », (1 Corinthians 9:24). Here, Paul draws a parallel between the disciplined effort required for spiritual growth and an Olympic athlete’s pursuit of the prize reserved for the race winner. Attaining Christlike qualities does not occur spontaneously. While God certainly “works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” «For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. », (Philippians 2:13), believers must collaborate with God by exerting responsible and earnest effort to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. “Anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules” «And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. », (2 Timothy 2:5). For the disciplined believer, the prize is the “upward call of God in Christ Jesus” «I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. », (Philippians 3:14, ESV). To what does God call the believer? It is to become like Jesus Christ in heart and lifestyle (Romans 8:28-30).
The true believer demonstrates the reality of God’s work in his heart by enduring all sorts of tests in the development of Christlikeness. The believer is in training, much like an Olympic athlete must train for a race. No pain, no gain. That is why the writer of Hebrews exhorted, “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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3). Jesus is portrayed as the finest runner, the One who set the pace, our model and hero in life’s race. Just as a runner in the Olympics must dispense with anything that would hinder his running, we must disentangle ourselves from sin. As a runner in the games must keep his eyes on the finish line, so we must keep our eyes on Christ and His joyful reward.
Some believers in Galatia had lost faith in God’s grace and were returning to a legalistic, performance-based religion. Paul wrote strong words to them: “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you” (Galatians 5:7-8). The authentic Christian life can only be lived through faith—faith in the pure Word of God and faith in the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Following Satan’s deceitful counsel to attempt to earn God’s grace and the free gift of salvation leads to stumbling in our journey. Relying solely on our own works not only disrespects God but also brings us no benefit.
Paul wrote with a similar sense of urgency to the believers in Philippi, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then . . . I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain” (Philippians 2:14-16). Paul encouraged the Philippians’ sincere faith and compared his own efforts on their behalf to running a race. He had dedicated hard work and endured deep suffering in teaching them God’s message, desiring his labor to yield results—much like an Olympic athlete fervently wishes for his sacrifices to culminate in victory.
Another instance where Paul employs the race metaphor is in Galatians 2:1–2. Here, Paul recounts visiting Christian leaders in Jerusalem to verify the gospel he preached to the Gentiles. Why did he take such caution? “For fear that I was running or had run my race in vain” (NAS). It was crucial for Paul to be certain that he understood, believed, and taught God’s truth. This was how he “ran his race.”
Approaching the end of his life with tranquil assurance, Paul, anticipating his imminent martyrdom in Rome, wrote to his young disciple, Timothy, “The time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
We do not know if Paul had been an athlete in his younger years. In these references to the Olympic races, he certainly showed a deep interest in and understanding of competitive running. He used that understanding of the Olympic races to illustrate the fundamentals of the Christian life.
A runner must train for their race, know the rules, and commit to winning. A believer must endure hardship, exercise absolute and enduring faith in the Word of God, and keep their eyes on the goal. In the power of the cross, the believer grows more and more like the Savior. Despite obstacles, challenges, temptations, and even the threat of death, the Christian continues to run the race Christ has marked out for them.
