Bible Verses About The Gymnasium And Pagan Culture

Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

Direct Bible passage on former pagan life.

But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

Direct Bible passage on pagan sacrifice.

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

bodily training passage related to exercise language

But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Supports renouncing worldly passions.

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

athletic self-control passage

Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

pagan sacrifice episode used as context for idolatry

Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

athletic competition passage

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Supports not walking like the Gentiles.

As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

shows Christian conflict with idol-centered pagan worship

But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

shows Christians teaching in opposition to pagan public space

For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

Supports leaving Gentile habits behind.

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

city wholly given to idolatry

And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

passage often used against pagan revelry and idolatry

So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.