My hope is that you will be encouraged as you read these encouraging Bible verses focusing on endurance. You might even find yourself laughing out loud as you read some of these. Keep in mind as you read them, that they are not meant to teach us how to do our Christian walk, but rather how to be a part of God’s plan to save us from our sins by allowing himself to suffer for us on this earth and in Heaven.
Here are some Bible verses about running the race with endurance:
- Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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.”
- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27: “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. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
- Galatians 5:7: “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?”
- 2 Timothy 4:7-8: “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 Peter 1:5-7: “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.”
These verses encourage us to keep going in our race of faith with endurance, keeping our focus on Jesus and being disciplined, steadfast, and persevering in our faith.
What Does The Bible Say About Endurance
Endurance is not only a physical state, but an active mindset that you can adopt to help you persevere in the moments when the race gets tough. The Bible is full of inspiration and encouragement for us to keep going and have hope. In this blog post, we’ll focus on the most popular verses about endurance—both from the New Testament and the Old Testament. These Bible verses will give you hope during hard times and remind you that God is with you throughout life’s challenges.
The Bible contains encouraging and uplifting words from God. If you ever feel like giving up, reading God’s Word will give you the strength to keep going. Put your faith in God and these Bible verses to work as you face whatever difficulties you encounter. We pray that as you read these Bible verses about perseverance, your faith and trust in God will grow stronger.
Here is a prayer for those of you who are finding it hard to hang in there today:
Dear Lord, I have been running this “race” for what seems like forever, and I have no idea when it will end in my life. It seems like I’ve been trying to get away from this ordeal by running for an eternity. Give me the strength to finish the race you’ve set before me rather than trying to escape the pain. Because of you, I am confident that I will emerge triumphant from my difficulties. Nothing in this world, I know, can ever make me doubt your unwavering love for me. Please shower me with your love today; equip me with the fortitude to make it through this ordeal. Please know how much I appreciate your unending devotion to me. And I am grateful for the eternal crown of happiness that will be mine in your Kingdom. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
Bible Verses About Running The Race With Endurance
If you would like to run the race that is set before us with endurancehere are some encouragement and inspiration from God’s Word. The race is not given to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but time and chance happen to them all. The Bible is full of verses about running. Many of these verses are about endurance, perseverance and keeping going even when the going is tough. No matter what you face, it’s important to find strength from God. His Word teaches us how to endure and press on with endurance- even when we feel like quitting!
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4.8-9
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Hebrews 12:1 ESV / 632 helpful votes
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ESV / 613 helpful votes
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:24 ESV / 398 helpful votes
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV / 115 helpful votes
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
Isaiah 40:28-31
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the Earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Luke 21:19-23
“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through Daniel the prophet (let the reader understand), 20 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains;
Galatians 2:2 ESV / 114 helpful votes
I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.
Psalm 119:32 ESV / 110 helpful votes
I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!
1 Timothy 6:12 ESV / 108 helpful votes
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Psalm 60:12 ESV / 100 helpful votes
With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.
Philippians 3:13 ESV / 97 helpful votes
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
Philippians 2:16 ESV / 97 helpful votes
Holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 96 helpful votes
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
James 1:12 ESV / 87 helpful votes
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Jeremiah 12:5 ESV / 81 helpful votes
“If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?
Hebrews 10:36 ESV / 77 helpful votes
For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
Philippians 3:12 ESV / 74 helpful votes
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
Romans 5:3-4 ESV / 71 helpful votes
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
1 Corinthians 9:25 ESV / 70 helpful votes
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
Proverbs 4:25 ESV / 69 helpful votes
Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 ESV / 66 helpful votes
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
Romans 8:28 ESV / 63 helpful votes
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
2 Timothy 2:5 ESV / 62 helpful votes
An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
1 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV / 62 helpful votes
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Philippians 3:12-14 ESV / 60 helpful votes
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 12:3 ESV / 57 helpful votes
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Romans 5:3 ESV / 56 helpful votes
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
Matthew 10:22 ESV / 55 helpful votes
And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV / 55 helpful votes
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
2 Chronicles 15:7 ESV / 55 helpful votes
But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV / 54 helpful votes
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Ecclesiastes 9:11 ESV / 54 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful
Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.
Isaiah 40:31 ESV / 356 helpful votes
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
2 Timothy 4:7 ESV / 330 helpful votes
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Philippians 3:13-14 ESV / 264 helpful votes
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:13 ESV / 205 helpful votes
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Galatians 5:7 ESV / 193 helpful votes
You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
Hebrews 12:1-29 ESV / 183 helpful votes
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. …
Philippians 3:14 ESV / 182 helpful votes
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV / 178 helpful votes
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Acts 20:24 ESV / 158 helpful votes
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
1 Corinthians 9:26 ESV / 157 helpful votes
So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
Hebrews 11:1-40 ESV / 153 helpful votes
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. …
Matthew 24:13 ESV / 153 helpful votes
But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
2 Timothy 4:7-9 ESV / 138 helpful votes
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing. Do your best to come to me soon.
Hebrews 12:2 ESV / 136 helpful votes
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV / 124 helpful votes
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.