What Does the Bible Say About Games?
Here are 13 Bible verses about games, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #11 Corinthians 9:24-27
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 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. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 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.
BSBDo 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. Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
- #22 Timothy 2:5
And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
BSBLikewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.
- #31 Timothy 4:8
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.
BSBFor physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.
- #4Hebrews 12:1-2
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
BSBTherefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- #5Psalms 119:37
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
BSBTurn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word.
- #6Psalms 11:5
The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
BSBThe LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence.
- #7Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
BSBI press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.
- #8Psalms 101:3
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
BSBI will set no worthless thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.
- #9Zechariah 8:5
And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.
BSBAnd the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”
- #101 Corinthians 6:12
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
BSB“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.
- #111 Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
BSBWhen I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways.
- #12Proverbs 31:17
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
BSBShe girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.
- #132 Timothy 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
BSBFlee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).