◄ 75. agónizomai ►
Strong's Lexicon agónizomai: To strive, to struggle, to fight, to labor fervently Original Word: ἀγωνίζομαι Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: agónizomai Pronunciation: ah-go-NEE-zoh-my Phonetic Spelling: (ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee) Definition: I am struggling, striving (as in an athletic contest or warfare); I contend, as with an adversary. Meaning: To contend for a prize, to struggle, to fight, to labor fervently. Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word ἀγών (agōn), meaning "contest" or "struggle." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent to ἀγωνίζομαι, the concept of striving or contending can be found in Hebrew words such as לָחַם (lacham, Strong's Hebrew 3898), meaning "to fight" or "to battle," and יָגַע (yaga, Strong's Hebrew 3021), meaning "to toil" or "to labor." These terms similarly convey the idea of exertion and struggle in various contexts. Usage: The verb ἀγωνίζομαι is used in the New Testament to describe the act of striving or struggling, often in a spiritual or metaphorical sense. It conveys the idea of exerting intense effort or engaging in a struggle, whether in prayer, faith, or moral conduct. Context: The term ἀγωνίζομαι appears in several New Testament passages, illustrating the Christian's call to perseverance and dedication in their spiritual journey. It is often used in the context of athletic metaphors, drawing from the imagery of ancient Greek athletic contests, where participants exerted great effort to win a prize. This metaphorical usage underscores the intensity and commitment required in the Christian life. In Luke 13:24, Jesus uses the term to exhort His followers: "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able." Here, ἀγωνίζομαι emphasizes the earnest effort needed to pursue the path of salvation. The Apostle Paul frequently employs this term to describe his own ministry and the Christian life. In 1 Corinthians 9:25, he writes, "Everyone 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." Paul likens the Christian's spiritual discipline to that of an athlete, highlighting the need for self-control and perseverance. In Colossians 4:12, Paul commends Epaphras, who is "always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God." Here, ἀγωνίζομαι is used to describe the fervent and persistent nature of intercessory prayer. Finally, in 1 Timothy 6:12, Paul encourages Timothy to "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." The use of ἀγωνίζομαι in this context underscores the ongoing struggle and commitment required to maintain one's faith and witness. HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 75 agōnízomai (from 73 /agṓn, "conflict/struggle," the root of the English term, "agonize") – properly, to struggle, like engaged in an intense athletic contest or warfare (Souter). See 73 (agōn). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin from agón Definition to contend for a prize, struggle NASB Translation competes in the games (1), fight (1), fighting (1), fought (1), laboring earnestly (1), strive (2), striving (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 75: ἀγωνίζομαι ἀγωνίζομαι; imperfect ἠγωνιζόμην; perfect ἠγώνισμαι; a deponent middle verb (cf. Winer's Grammar, 260 (244)); (ἀγών); 1. to enter a contest; contend in the gymnastic games: 1 Corinthians 9:25. 2. universally, to contend with adversaries, fight: followed by ἵνα μή, John 18:36. 3. figuratively to contend, struggle, with difficulties and dangers antagonistic to the gospel: Colossians 1:29; 1 Timothy 4:10 (L T Tr text WH text; for Rec. ὀνειδιζόμεθα); ἀγωνίζομαι ἀγῶνα (often used by the Greeks also, especially the Attic), 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7. 4. to endeavor with strenuous zeal, strife, to obtain something; followed by an infinitive, Luke 13:24; ὑπέρ τίνος ἐν ταῖς προσευχαῖς, ἵνα, Colossians 4:12. (Compare: ἀνταγωνίζομαι, ἐπαγωνίζομαι, καταγωνίζομαι, συναγωνίζομαι.) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fight, labor fervently, strive. From agon; to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), figuratively (to contend with an adversary), or genitive case (to endeavor to accomplish something) -- fight, labor fervently, strive. see GREEK agon Forms and Transliterations Αγωνιζεσθε αγωνίζεσθε Ἀγωνίζεσθε αγωνιζομεθα ἀγωνιζόμεθα αγωνιζομενος αγωνιζόμενος ἀγωνιζόμενος αγωνιζου αγωνίζου ἀγωνίζου απο ηγωνιζοντο ηγωνίζοντο ἠγωνίζοντο ηγωνίσατο ηγωνισμαι ηγώνισμαι ἠγώνισμαι Agonizesthe Agonízesthe Agōnizesthe Agōnízesthe agonizomenos agonizómenos agōnizomenos agōnizómenos agonizometha agonizómetha agōnizometha agōnizómetha agonizou agonízou agōnizou agōnízou egonismai egṓnismai ēgōnismai ēgṓnismai egonizonto egonízonto ēgōnizonto ēgōnízonto Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Luke 13:24 V-PMM/P-2P GRK: Ἀγωνίζεσθε εἰσελθεῖν διὰ NAS: Strive to enter through KJV: Strive to enter in at INT: Strive to enter in through John 18:36 V-IIM/P-3P GRK: οἱ ἐμοὶ ἠγωνίζοντο ἄν ἵνα NAS: then My servants would be fighting so KJV: my servants fight, that I should INT: my would fight anyhow that 1 Corinthians 9:25 V-PPM/P-NMS GRK: δὲ ὁ ἀγωνιζόμενος πάντα ἐγκρατεύεται NAS: Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control KJV: every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate INT: moreover that strives in all things controls himself Colossians 1:29 V-PPM/P-NMS GRK: καὶ κοπιῶ ἀγωνιζόμενος κατὰ τὴν NAS: I labor, striving according KJV: also labour, striving according to his INT: also I toil striving according to the Colossians 4:12 V-PPM/P-NMS GRK: Ἰησοῦ πάντοτε ἀγωνιζόμενος ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν NAS: always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, KJV: always labouring fervently for INT: Jesus always striving for you 1 Timothy 4:10 V-PIM/P-1P GRK: κοπιῶμεν καὶ ἀγωνιζόμεθα ὅτι ἠλπίκαμεν NAS: we labor and strive, because INT: we toil and strive because we have hope 1 Timothy 6:12 V-PMM/P-2S GRK: ἀγωνίζου τὸν καλὸν NAS: Fight the good fight KJV: Fight the good fight INT: Fight the good 2 Timothy 4:7 V-RIM/P-1S GRK: καλὸν ἀγῶνα ἠγώνισμαι τὸν δρόμον NAS: I have fought the good fight, KJV: I have fought a good fight, INT: good fight I have fought the course Strong's Greek 75 8 Occurrences Ἀγωνίζεσθε — 1 Occ. ἀγωνιζόμενος — 3 Occ. ἀγωνιζόμεθα — 1 Occ. ἀγωνίζου — 1 Occ. ἠγώνισμαι — 1 Occ. ἠγωνίζοντο — 1 Occ.