1864. epagónizomai

Lexicon

epagónizomai: To contend earnestly, to struggle for

Original Word: ἐπαγωνίζομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: epagónizomai
Pronunciation: ep-ag-o-NEE-zom-ahee
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee)
Definition: To contend earnestly, to struggle for
Meaning: I contend earnestly for.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

earnestly contend

From epi and agonizomai; to struggle for -- earnestly contend foreign

see GREEK epi

see GREEK agonizomai

HELPS Word-studies

1864 epagōnízomai (from 1909 /epí, "focused on" and 73 /agṓn, "a contest, competition") – properly, to contend (literally, "struggle upon, appropriately"), i.e. with skill and commitment in opposing whatever is not of faith (God's persuasion).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from epi and agónizomai
Definition
to contend with or for
NASB Translation
contend earnestly (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1864: ἐπαγωνίζομαι

ἐπαγωνίζομαι; to contend: τίνι, for a thing, Jude 1:3. (τῷ Ἀννιβα, against Hannibal, Plutarch, Fab. 23, 2; ταῖς νικαις, added a new contest to his victories, id. Cim. 13, 4; by others in different senses.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from ἐπί (epi, meaning "upon" or "over") and ἀγωνίζομαι (agonizomai, meaning "to struggle" or "to contend").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἐπαγωνίζομαι, similar concepts can be found in Hebrew words related to striving or contending, such as:
• H3898 (לָחַם, lacham): To fight, to do battle, often used in the context of physical or spiritual warfare.
• H7378 (רִיב, rib): To contend, to plead, often used in legal or disputational contexts.

These Hebrew terms, like ἐπαγωνίζομαι, convey the idea of active engagement and struggle, whether in a physical, legal, or spiritual sense.

Usage: This verb is used in the context of striving or contending with great effort, often in a spiritual or moral sense. It implies a vigorous and determined effort to achieve a goal or uphold a principle.

Context: The term ἐπαγωνίζομαι appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize the importance of earnest and diligent effort in the pursuit of faith and truth. It is often associated with the idea of spiritual warfare or the defense of the faith against false teachings and moral decay. The word suggests not just a passive belief but an active, vigorous engagement in the struggle to uphold the tenets of the Christian faith.

In Jude 1:3 (BSB), the term is used to exhort believers to "contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." This passage highlights the necessity of defending the core doctrines of Christianity against heretical influences and maintaining the purity of the gospel message. The use of ἐπαγωνίζομαι in this context underscores the seriousness and urgency of the task, calling believers to a proactive and resolute stance in their spiritual lives.

The concept of contending earnestly is not limited to external defense but also includes internal struggles against sin and personal growth in holiness. It reflects the broader New Testament theme of the Christian life as a race or battle, requiring discipline, perseverance, and reliance on God's strength.

Forms and Transliterations

επαγωνιζεσθαι επαγωνίζεσθαι ἐπαγωνίζεσθαι επάδοντι επαδόντων επάδων επάσαι epagonizesthai epagonízesthai epagōnizesthai epagōnízesthai

Englishman's Concordance

Jude 1:3 V-PNM/P
GRK: ὑμῖν παρακαλῶν ἐπαγωνίζεσθαι τῇ ἅπαξ
NAS: to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith
KJV: and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith
INT: to you exhorting [you] to contend earnestly for the once for all

Strong's Greek 1864
1 Occurrence

ἐπαγωνίζεσθαι — 1 Occ.