Running the Race Together

In the athletic world, it has long been recognized that group training has significant advantages. Fitness and health advisor Daren Lake has observed:

There’s an undeniable energy that comes from being surrounded by like-minded individuals. When you’re part of a group, there’s a sense of accountability. You’re less likely to skip a run when you know others are counting on you to show up. Plus, the camaraderie and support can push you to achieve more than you might on your own. Group runs can also be a great way to learn from more experienced runners, picking up tips and advice that can improve your technique and performance.¹

But this is not a new concept. In fact, for centuries the Bible has affirmed this God-designed model for human interaction, cooperation, and group dynamics.

Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Eccl. 4:9-12).²

Athletic metaphors, such as running a race, are also fairly common in scripture, particularly in view of the commitment, preparation, and effort involved (1 Cor. 9:26; Phil. 1:27; 2 Tim. 2:5). In the first-century Greco-Roman world, with the popularity of the Panhellenic Games, the apostle Paul often used these well-known images to describe his own ministry (Acts 20:24; Gal. 2:2; Phil. 2:16; 3:12-14; 2 Tim. 4:7-8). But neither he nor any other NT Christian was a solo competitor. The apostle and all other NT writers and church leaders and workers were very much team advocates and practitioners.

Galatians

The churches of Galatia were reminded, “You all [plural] have been running well …” (Gal. 5:7a).³ These brethren were not meant to be competing as individual athletes. Otherwise, everyone would be hindered and diverted off course (vv. 7b-12, 15, 26). Instead, Paul says, “through love serve one another” (v. 13) and “you all bear one another’s burdens, and thus you all will fulfill Christ’s law” (6:2). To the entire Christian community he reaffirms, “but let us not get exhausted doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not give out” (6:9).

Corinthians

The collectivity of Christians at Corinth were exhorted: “Do you all [plural] not know that those running in a race, all indeed run, but one receives the prize? So you all run that you all might attain it. Now everyone striving is self-controlled in all things, that they indeed might receive a perishable wreath [στέφανος], but we, an imperishable [one]” (1 Cor. 9:24-25).

Likened to competing in an athletic competition, the point Paul is making, using imagery familiar to the Corinthians, is that the Christian life requires self-discipline and endurance. The Isthmian Games (second only to the Olympic Games) took place in Corinth every two years. The prize awarded was a temporary, perishable wreath of pine or wild celery, whereas the prize at the end of the Christian race is a heavenly reward that is permanent and will never fade away (cf. Phil. 3:12-14; 2 Tim. 4:7-8; Rev. 2:10). Once again, this is something we are striving for together.

Philippians

Paul expresses his desire for the Philippi saints, “that … I might hear the things concerning you all [plural], that you all are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving together [συναθλοῦντες] for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27b). The expression “striving together” is translated from the compound συναθλέω, from σύν (“with”) + ἀθλέω (“contend,” “compete”). It is an athletic term (cf. 2:16; 3:12-14), and the σύν- prefix reiterates the preceding call for unity, cooperation, and teamwork.

Paul continues, “having the same struggle [ἀγῶνα], such as you all saw in me, and now hear is in me” (Phil. 1:30). The word ἀγών (“struggle” or “conflict”), the source of the English word “agonize,” is another athletic expression, descriptive of an intense athletic contest. Yet again, the participatory struggle is collective.

Hebrews

“Therefore, we also, having such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, having laid aside every weight and the easily-entangling sin, we should run with endurance the race set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and perfector of the faith, who, considering the joy set before him, endured the cross, having despised its shame, having sat down at the right hand and the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-2).

Pointing back to chap. 11, the heroes and heroines of faith who have gone on before us bear witness (testify), by their exemplary lives of faith, that it is possible, with the help of God, to endure the struggles of this sin-filled world and be victorious. The metaphorical race is not a momentary sprint but more like an extended (lifelong) marathon, something the Lord’s people participate in together. We are to discard the weighty impediment of sin, motivating each other daily (3:13), and as a unified community run with endurance to the end. Our mutual focus is on the ultimate hero and champion of faith, the crucified and exalted Jesus.

Conclusion

The appraisal of athletic “group” running, cited at the beginning of this article, simply reiterates basic principles relative to God’s design for his church. The Christian race is not an individual exercise but is very much a collaborative team effort. Resolutely focusing on and honoring Christ, let’s make sure we are running the appointed race as active members of his body, surrounded by like-minded runners, accountable to each other, responsible, giving and receiving encouragement, and energized in an atmosphere of learning and support among the faithful. We must not attempt to do this alone. The church of our Lord is the divinely-chosen environment in which the grueling race is run, side-by-side, and the goal is achieved together.

--Kevin L. Moore

Endnotes:

     ¹ Daren Lake, “Club/Group vs. Solo Marathon Running: Which is Best?” The 1% Better Runner (retrieved 20 August 2026), <Link>.

     ² New King James Version.

     ³ Unless otherwise noted, NT quotations are the author’s own translation. Emphasis added in italics.

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The Greatest Example of Faith (Hebrews 12:1-4)

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2, NKJV).

The Greatest Hero

“Therefore” points back to the heroes and heroines of faith of the previous chapter, who still surround us as “so great a cloud of witnesses.” But they are not just passively standing by as mere spectators. In fact, we are looking up to them. The Greek term translated “witnesses” is martúrōn, plural of mártus from which we get the English word “martyr” (cf. Acts 22:20; Rev. 2:13; 17:6). A “witness” is superfluous without a testimony to give, and the faithful men and women who have gone on before us bear testimony [marturéō] (Heb. 11:2, 4, 5, 39; cf. Acts 1:8; 22:15) of how a life of faith is to be lived all the way to the end (cf. Rev. 12:11). These worthy examples, preserved in the biblical record, demonstrate that with God’s help it is possible to endure and overcome the harsh realities of this cruel and ungodly world and to be victorious.

The life of faith is likened here to a race: not a momentary sprint but a lifelong marathon.¹ The negative requirement for success is to “put away every encumbrance and entangling sin,” like a runner who removes bulky clothing or training weights. We must get rid of anything that will impede our progress. The positive requirement for victory is to “run with endurance” [hupomonēs] (cf. 10:36). This is a pre-appointed race “set before” [prokeímenon] us, not necessarily one we would choose for ourselves. But it is a race that God has determined we need to run.

“Looking unto” or “fixing our eyes on” Jesus is a reminder to not be easily distracted and to maintain the proper focus. Jesus is the “leader, ruler, prince ... originator, founder” [archēgós] (cf. 2:10) and “perfecter, consummator” [teleiōtēs] of faith in that he has taken the lead and set the example, and he is the inspiration and goal of our faith (cf. 5:9).

The joy “set before” [prokeímenon] him means that it was God’s plan (cf. Acts 2:23; 3:18), not a joyful experience but joyous because of the momentous outcome that has impacted countless lives and destinies (cf. v. 11; 2:10, 14-15; Jas. 1:2-3). He “endured” the cross, not avoiding it or running from it or failing to carry through to the end (cf. Matt. 26:53-54). Despising the shameful ordeal (cf. 5:7-8), he went through with it anyway, focused beyond himself and refusing to quit. He has now triumphantly taken his seat at the right hand of God’s throne (cf. 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12; Psa. 110:1).

The Greatest Example

“For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin” (Hebrews 12:3-4).

Because of the life, example, and sacrifice of Jesus, we have the inspiration and motivation needed to protect our souls from succumbing to weariness and discouragement. Beyond the men and women of faith of the previous chapter, we have Jesus as the supreme example of enduring faithfulness.

The original readers of this epistle had undoubtedly experienced a difficult life of suffering (cf. 10:32-34), but at least they had not yet faced the kind of maltreatment, bloodshed, and martyrdom described in the previous chapter and what Jesus himself had endured. So why give up in the face of comparatively lesser trials and tests of faith? While “striving against sin” is a constant battle for all Christians of all time, with God’s help and Christ’s example we can overcome the encumbering entanglement of sin and successfully complete the Christian race all the way to the glorious finish line.²

--Kevin L. Moore

Endnotes:

     ¹ Athletic metaphors are common in Paul: 1 Cor. 9:24-27; Phil. 1:30; 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7; Acts 20:24.

     ² See The Rest That Remains.

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