The Olympics had been going on for centuries before the birth of Christ.
The apostle Paul was a citizen of the Roman empire, as well as a citizen of Israel, having been born in Tarsus. His status gave him access to the Roman world that a non-citizen would not receive.
He knew the culture well, and sprinkled sports metaphors throughout the letters that are included in our New Testament.
He writes, “Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
God has won the victory for us over sin, death, and the power of the devil. He has given us the imperishable prize in Jesus Christ.
We point people toward Him.
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