The concept of "competed" in the Bible often relates to the idea of striving, contending, or engaging in a struggle or race, both in a physical and spiritual sense. The Bible uses various metaphors and narratives to illustrate the nature of competition, emphasizing perseverance, faith, and the pursuit of righteousness.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, competition is often seen in the context of battles and struggles among nations and individuals. The Israelites frequently found themselves in competition with surrounding nations, as seen in the numerous battles recorded in the books of Joshua, Judges, and Samuel. These conflicts were not merely physical but also spiritual, as they often involved the struggle to remain faithful to God amidst pagan influences.

One notable example of personal competition is the account of Jacob and Esau. From birth, these twin brothers competed for their father's blessing and birthright (Genesis 25:22-34). This narrative highlights themes of rivalry, deception, and ultimately, reconciliation.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently uses athletic metaphors to describe the Christian life, likening it to a race or competition. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 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." Here, Paul encourages believers to exercise self-discipline and perseverance in their spiritual journey, much like an athlete competing for a prize.

Similarly, in 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul reflects on his own life, saying, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." This passage underscores the idea of life as a competition where the ultimate goal is to remain faithful to Christ until the end.

Spiritual Competition

The Bible also addresses the spiritual competition between good and evil. Ephesians 6:12 reminds believers that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage highlights the ongoing spiritual battle that Christians face, urging them to put on the full armor of God to stand firm.

Moral and Ethical Implications

While the Bible acknowledges the reality of competition, it also warns against the dangers of selfish ambition and rivalry. Philippians 2:3 advises, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves." This teaching encourages believers to pursue their goals with humility and love, rather than seeking personal glory.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on competition is multifaceted, recognizing both the necessity of striving for spiritual growth and the potential pitfalls of pride and rivalry. Through the examples of biblical figures and the teachings of the apostles, believers are called to engage in the race of faith with perseverance, integrity, and a focus on the eternal prize.(imp. & p. p.) of Compete.1408. dromos -- a course, race
... 1408 (related to , "run" and 5143 , "to race") -- properly, a (track), where
foot-runners competed in the ancient Greek games. Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1408.htm - 6k

Corinth
... mystery religions. It competed with them for the right of succession to the
official religion of Rome, and ultimately it triumphed. To ...
/.../lake/landmarks in the history of early christianity/iv corinth.htm

Commerce
... Or, to descend a step lower"except in those crafts which might be peculiarly
theirs, could Jewish tradesmen have competed with those around? ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 12 commerce.htm

Connecticut at the Close of the Revolution
... Private schools and academies sprang up. [f] Harvard and Yale, as the best equipped
of the New England colleges, competed for its young men, and drew others ...
/.../chapter xii connecticut at the.htm

The Theology of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
... He was, as we saw, no Hebrew Scholar, and had small respect either for the versions
which competed with the Septuagint or for the Latin rendering of the old ...
/.../chapter ii the theology of st.htm

The Attractive Force of the Cross.
... His person. Our life consists in our pursuance of one object or another,
and our devotion is continually competed for. When two ...
/.../iv the attractive force of.htm

An Anonymous Sermon, Commonly Called Clement's Second Letter to ...
... that it is at hand and that, while many come by sea to corruptible contests, not
all win laurels, but only those who have struggled hard and competed well. ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/an anonymous sermon commonly called 2.htm

Conflicts of the Church with Public Wrongs.
... actively manipulated. Political parties competed for the southern vote.
Commercial houses competed for southern business. Religious ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xvi conflicts of the.htm

The Church and the Heathen
... subjects. Already Mohammedanism and Buddhism competed with the Christianity
of the Nestorians for the favour of the Tartar Princes. ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xiv the church and.htm

Rom. xiv. 25-27
... The dative to dunameno is resumed in mono sopho theo and again in the relative ho
as if the proposition begun with the dative had been competed. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxvii rom xiv 25-27.htm

What Carey did for Science --Founder of the Agricultural and ...
... to exhibit a steam engine made by himself without the aid of any European artist."
At the next meeting, when 109 malees or native gardeners competed at the ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xii what carey did.htm

Competed (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Competed (1 Occurrence). 2 Timothy 2:5 Also, if anyone
competes in athletics, he isn't crowned unless he has competed by the rules. ...
/c/competed.htm - 6k

Victor's (4 Occurrences)
... Victor's (4 Occurrences). 2 Timothy 2:5 Also, if anyone competes in athletics,
he isn't crowned unless he has competed by the rules. (See NIV). ...
/v/victor's.htm - 7k

Zerubbabel (25 Occurrences)
... According to Josephus and the apocryphal Book of Ezra (1 Esdras 3, 4), Zerubbabel
was a friend of Darius Hystaspis, having successfully competed before him in ...
/z/zerubbabel.htm - 20k

Prize (13 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) An honor or reward striven for in a competitive contest; anything offered
to be competed for, or as an inducement to, or reward of, effort. ...
/p/prize.htm - 13k

Compete (3 Occurrences)

/c/compete.htm - 7k

Competition (6 Occurrences)
... are engaged in the same business and each seeking patronage; -- followed by for
before the object sought, and with before the person or thing competed with. ...
/c/competition.htm - 8k

Competence (1 Occurrence)

/c/competence.htm - 6k

Crowned (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 2:5 Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn't crowned unless
he has competed by the rules. (WEB KJV DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/c/crowned.htm - 11k

Competes (2 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). 2 Timothy 2:5 Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn't
crowned unless he has competed by the rules. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/c/competes.htm - 7k

Athletic (2 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 2 Timothy 2:5 Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn't crowned
unless he has competed by the rules. (Root in WEB WEY). ...
/a/athletic.htm - 7k

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Competed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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