Lexicon agón: Contest, struggle, conflict, race Original Word: ἀγών Strong's Exhaustive Concordance conflict, contention, fight, race. From ago; properly, a place of assembly (as if led), i.e. (by implication) a contest (held there); figuratively, an effort or anxiety -- conflict, contention, fight, race. see GREEK ago HELPS Word-studies 73 agṓn(a masculine noun, and the root of the English words, "agony," "agonize") – properly, a contest (struggle), a grueling conflict (fight); (figuratively) positive struggle that goes with "fighting the good fight of faith" (1 Tim 6:12) – which literally states, "Struggle (75 /agōnízomai) the good struggle (73 /agṓn) of the (life of) faith." [73 (agṓn) refers to "an (athletic) contest; hence, a struggle (in the soul)" (Souter). "In secular Greek 73 (agṓn) refers to a gathering to see the games, or the place of contest (Homer), or the Olympus games themselves, or some smaller contest in particular – the gymnikos, hippikos, and mousikos – and more generally, any struggle or battle" (Nigel Turner, Christian Words, 81). In the ancient world, athletic contests could be so severe they caused the toughest men to crumble. Indeed, this was common (so Euripedes, Xenophon).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom agó Definition a gathering, contest, struggle NASB Translation conflict (1), fight (2), opposition (1), race (1), struggle (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 73: ἀγώνἀγών, ἀγῶνος, ὁ (ἄγω); 1. a place of assembly (Homer, Iliad 7, 298; 18, 376); specifically, the place in which the Greeks assembled to celebrate solemn games (as the Pythian, the Olympian); hence, 2. a contest, of athletes, runners, charioteers. In a figurative sense, a. in the phrase (used by the Greeks, see τρέχω, b.) τρέχειν τόν ἀγῶνα, Hebrews 12:1, that is to say 'Amid all hindrances let us exert ourselves to the utmost to attain to the goal of perfection set before the followers of Christ'; any struggle with dangers, annoyances, obstacles, standing in the way of faith, holiness, and a desire to spread the gospel: 1 Thessalonians 2:2; Philippians 1:30; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7. b. intense solicitude, anxiety: περί τίνος, Colossians 2:1 (cf. Euripides, Ph. 1350; Polybius 4, 56, 4). On the ethical use of figures borrowed from the Greek Games cf. Grimm on Wis. 4:1; (Howson, Metaphors of St. Paul, Essay iv.; Conyb. and Hows. Life and Epistles of St. Paul, chapter xx.; McClintock and Strong's Cyclopaedia Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent to ἀγών, similar concepts of struggle and contest can be found in the Hebrew Scriptures, often using terms related to battle or striving, such as מִלְחָמָה (milchamah, Strong's H4421) for "battle" or יָגַע (yaga, Strong's H3021) for "to toil" or "to labor." These terms convey the idea of effort and perseverance in the face of challenges, akin to the Greek concept of ἀγών. Usage: The word ἀγών is used in the New Testament to describe both literal and figurative contests or struggles. It appears in contexts that emphasize the effort, discipline, and perseverance required in the Christian life. Context: The term ἀγών is rich in cultural and historical significance, particularly within the context of ancient Greek society, where athletic competitions were highly esteemed. In the New Testament, ἀγών is used metaphorically to illustrate the Christian life as a race or contest requiring dedication and endurance. Englishman's Concordance Philippians 1:30 N-AMSGRK: τὸν αὐτὸν ἀγῶνα ἔχοντες οἷον NAS: the same conflict which KJV: Having the same conflict which ye saw INT: the same conflict having such as Colossians 2:1 N-AMS 1 Thessalonians 2:2 N-DMS 1 Timothy 6:12 N-AMS 2 Timothy 4:7 N-AMS Hebrews 12:1 N-AMS |
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