In the context of the Bible, the term "players" can refer to individuals who engage in various forms of entertainment, including music, acting, and sports. While the Bible does not explicitly mention "players" as we understand the term today, it does address related concepts such as musicians, performers, and athletes, providing insights into how these roles were perceived in biblical times.

Musicians and Performers

Music and performance have a significant presence in the Bible, often associated with worship and celebration. The Old Testament frequently mentions musicians and singers who played a vital role in religious ceremonies and royal courts. For example, King David, a central figure in the Bible, was known for his musical talent. He played the harp to soothe King Saul (1 Samuel 16:23) and organized musicians for worship in the temple (1 Chronicles 25:1-7).

The Psalms, many of which are attributed to David, are a testament to the importance of music in worship. Psalm 150:3-5 encourages the use of various instruments: "Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with the strings and flute. Praise Him with clashing cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals."

Actors and Theatrical Performances

While the Bible does not directly reference actors or theatrical performances as understood in contemporary culture, it does caution against hypocrisy, which can be likened to acting. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their outward displays of piety, calling them "hypocrites," a term derived from the Greek word for actors (Matthew 23:27-28): "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

Athletes and Sports

The New Testament uses athletic metaphors to convey spiritual truths, highlighting the discipline and perseverance required in the Christian life. The Apostle Paul frequently draws parallels between the Christian journey and athletic competitions. 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. 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."

Similarly, in 2 Timothy 2:5 , Paul states, "Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules." These passages emphasize the importance of discipline, focus, and adherence to God's commandments in the pursuit of spiritual goals.

Cultural and Spiritual Implications

The Bible acknowledges the role of music and performance in worship and celebration, while also warning against the dangers of hypocrisy and the need for genuine faith. The use of athletic metaphors underscores the value of discipline and perseverance in the Christian life. While the Bible does not explicitly address modern forms of entertainment, its teachings provide guidance on maintaining integrity, authenticity, and devotion to God in all aspects of life.2351. thorubos -- an uproar
... hubbub" (Souter). (Mk 5:35-39) Josephus ( ad 1st century) reports that hired
flute players were common in NT times. They performed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2351.htm - 7k

834. auletes -- a flute player
... Word Origin from auleo Definition a flute player NASB Word Usage flute-players
(2). flute player. From auleo; a flute-player -- minstrel, piper. see GREEK auleo ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/834.htm - 6k

That the Greeks Admitted Players to Offices of State, on the ...
... Chapter 11."That the Greeks Admitted Players to Offices of State, on the Ground
that Men Who Pleased the Gods Should Not Be Contemptuously Treated by Their ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 11 that the greeks admitted.htm

Of Players who have Become Christians.
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon LXIII. (Greek lxvi.) Of players who have
become Christians. Of players who have become Christians. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon lxiii greek lxvi of.htm

This Holy and Ecumenical Synod Altogether Forbids those who are ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon LI. This holy and ecumenical synod
altogether forbids those who are called "players? This ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon li this holy and.htm

That the Romans Should have Understood that Gods who Desired to be ...
... desire to be worshipped in licentious plays, yet had sufficient regard to their
hereditary dignity and virtue, to prompt them to refuse to players any such ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 13 that the romans should.htm

The First Games
... And yet they are great little players. ... A step of a staircase is used as
a table by the players, or the pavement of a courtyard. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iv the first games.htm

School Days
... Try thirty miles a day on foot, day after day, you football players and baseball
players, you trained athletes, and say whether it is the work of a weakling or ...
/.../greater things the story of saint stanislaus kostka /chapter v school days.htm

Methodism on the Stage
... In the beginning of the third act the entire stage suddenly sank about six inches:
the players retired with great precipitation; yet in a while they began again ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/methodism on the stage.htm

That Plato, who Excluded Poets from a Well-Ordered City, was ...
... of Rome prohibit actors from being enrolled as citizens; and if they had not feared
to offend the gods who had asked the services of the players, they would in ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 14 that plato who excluded.htm

That the Worshippers of the Gods Never Received from them any ...
... the mother of the gods, but of the mother of any senator or honest man"nay, so impure,
that not even the mother of the foul-mouthed players themselves could ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 4 that the worshippers of.htm

Concerning those who are Sick and Cannot Answer for Themselves.
... (Greek Canon xlix.). Concerning players who are doing penance and are converted
to the Lord. [445]. That to players and actors and ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xlv greek xlviii concerning.htm

Players (7 Occurrences)
...Players (7 Occurrences). ... (BBE). Revelation 18:22 The voice of harpists, minstrels,
flute players, and trumpeters will be heard no more at all in you. ...
/p/players.htm - 8k

Flute-players (2 Occurrences)
Flute-players. Flute, Flute-players. Flutes . Multi-Version
Concordance Flute-players (2 Occurrences). Matthew 9:23 ...
/f/flute-players.htm - 7k

Flute (16 Occurrences)
... 3:5, 7, 10, 15. In Matthew 9:23, 24, notice is taken of players on the flute,
here called "minstrels" (but in RV "flute-players"). ...
/f/flute.htm - 13k

Deal (170 Occurrences)
... of cold. 2. (n.) The process of dealing cards to the players; also, the
portion disturbed. 3. (n.) Distribution; apportionment. 4 ...
/d/deal.htm - 40k

Games (2 Occurrences)
... 18: "He will. toss thee like a ball into a large country," but children
need not be thought of as the only players. If the balls ...
/g/games.htm - 40k

Makers (20 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:22 And the voice of players and makers of music will never again be
sounding in you: and no worker, expert in art, will ever again be living in ...
/m/makers.htm - 13k

Sounding (99 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:22 And the voice of players and makers of music will never again be
sounding in you: and no worker, expert in art, will ever again be living in ...
/s/sounding.htm - 37k

Flutes (8 Occurrences)

/f/flutes.htm - 8k

Player (4 Occurrences)

/p/player.htm - 8k

Instruments (136 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house and saw the players
with their instruments and the people making a noise, (BBE). ...
/i/instruments.htm - 41k

Should a Christian play multi-player fantasy games like Dungeons and Dragons? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian play Pokémon? Should a Christian play Yu-Gi-Oh!? | GotQuestions.org

What is Irreducible Complexity? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus