Bible Verses About The Olympics And Pagan Games

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

Direct Bible passage about athletic discipline

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.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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.

Direct Bible passage about the perishable crown

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Direct Bible passage about running for the prize

Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

Uses idol language and worldly play as a warning

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.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

Direct idol-passage supporting the general anti-idolatry frame behind the pagan-games critiques.

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.

passage that pagan sacrifices are to devils, relevant to the religious critique.

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.

Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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.

Direct Bible passage contrasting bodily exercise with godliness

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

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.

Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

passage about serving those that are no gods, useful background only.

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

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

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.