Lexical Summary athlésis: Contest, struggle, conflict Original Word: ἄθλησις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fight. From athleo; a struggle (figuratively) -- fight. see GREEK athleo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom athleó Definition a contest NASB Translation conflict (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 119: ἄθλησιςἄθλησις, (εως, ἡ, contest, combat, (frequently from Polybius down); figuratively, ἄθλησις παθημάτων a struggle with sufferings, trials, Hebrews 10:32; (of martyrdom, Ignatius mart. 4; Clement, mart. 25). STRONGS NT 119a: ἀθροίζωἀθροίζω: perfect passive participle ἠθροισμένος; (from ἀθρόος, equivalent to θρόος (a noisy crowd, noise), with a copulative (see A, a, 2)); to collect together, assemble; passive to be assembled, to convene: Luke 24:33 L T Tr WH. ((Sophocles) Xenophon, Plato, Polybius, Photius, others; O. T. Apocrypha; sometimes in the Sept. for קָבַץ.) (Compare: ἐπαθροίζω, συναθροίζω). The noun ἄθλησις (“contest,” “struggle”) appears once, in Hebrews 10:32. Addressing believers who were wavering under persecution, the writer reminds them: “Remember the early days that, after you were enlightened, you endured a great conflict in the face of suffering”. The term frames their past hardships as an athletic contest, directing attention to disciplined perseverance rather than passive resignation. The Athletic Metaphor in Scripture Hebrews 10:32 stands within a broader biblical pattern that draws from the realm of athletics to describe life in Christ: These texts collectively highlight dedicated effort, focus, and the certainty of reward—central themes underlying ἄθλησις. Historical Background First-century audiences lived among ubiquitous Greco-Roman games—Olympic, Isthmian, Nemean, and countless local contests. Athletes embraced rigorous training, strict diets, and public scrutiny, all for the hope of a fading laurel wreath (1 Corinthians 9:25). By invoking athletic imagery, the writer of Hebrews bridges familiar cultural experience with spiritual reality: the church’s suffering is not meaningless chaos but a purposeful stadium in which faith is tested and refined. Spiritual Conflict and Perseverance Ἄθλησις conveys active engagement. Persecution, loss of property (Hebrews 10:34), and social ostracism form the arena; endurance, steadfast faith, and joy constitute the victory. Scripture consistently ties such struggle to: Thus the “contest” is both external (hostility from men) and internal (the battle to keep confidence and hope). Ministry Applications 1. Pastoral Encouragement: Remind believers that present trials are part of a God-ordained contest which He oversees and rewards (Hebrews 10:35–36). Christological Insights Jesus is both pioneer and champion. He “endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2), modeling perfect athletic perseverance. His victory guarantees the believer’s ultimate triumph and supplies grace for present contests (Hebrews 4:14–16). Eschatological Perspective Every contest anticipates the final award ceremony: “For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay” (Hebrews 10:37). The imperishable crown (1 Peter 5:4) and promised inheritance (Hebrews 10:34; 1 Peter 1:4) motivate endurance, assuring that no faithful effort is wasted. Related Passages for Further Study • Hebrews 10:32–39 — immediate context of ἄθλησις |
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