Running the Race: Bible verses about perseverance

What does the Bible say about perseverance?

The New Testament calls believers to run with endurance the race set before them, fixing their eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1–2); to press on toward the goal (Philippians 3:13–14); and not to grow weary in doing good, because a harvest will come at the proper time (Galatians 6:9). Near the end of his life Paul could say that he had finished the race and kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

12 Bible verses about perseverance

1. Hebrews 12:1–2

   ¹Therefore, 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. ²Let 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.

2. 1 Corinthians 9:24–25

   ²⁴Do 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. ²⁵Everyone 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.

3. Philippians 3:13–14

   ¹³Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.

4. 2 Timothy 4:7–8

   ⁷I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸From now on 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 to all who crave His appearing.

5. Acts 20:24

   But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

6. Galatians 6:9

   Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

7. James 1:12

   Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

8. Romans 5:3–4

   ³Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope.

9. 2 Corinthians 4:16–17

   ¹⁶Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.

10. Isaiah 40:31

    But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

11. 1 Corinthians 15:58

    Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

12. Hebrews 10:36

    You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), dedicated to the public domain. In Verse16 you can learn these verses in the translation you read — KJV, ESV, NIV, NKJV, NLT and dozens more.

How to memorize Running the Race

Add Running the Race to Verse16 and all 12 verses arrive in the translation you read. Learn one or two at a time: read each verse, fill in the blanks, recall it from first letters, then type or say it from memory. Verse16’s FSRS scheduler brings every verse back just before you would forget it, so the verses you know fade into the background while the tricky ones return sooner. Share the collection with your small group or family and memorize it together.

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