ἀγών (agōn)
agōn
fight
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun agōn refers to a public contest or struggle, originally describing the athletic games held in ancient Greek culture. It denotes both the gathering of spectators and the physical arena where competitors vied for a prize. In the New Testament, this concrete image is adapted to describe the spiritual effort required of believers.
Scripture uses agōn to portray the Christian life as a sustained struggle against opposition. Paul employs it when describing his fellow workers who strive alongside him in Philippians 1:30, and he concludes his ministry by identifying the faith itself as the contest he has fought well in 2 Timothy 4:7. The term also captures the intense anxiety or solicitude believers feel for one another, as seen in Colossians 2:1.
This word carries significant weight because it frames spiritual endurance not as passive waiting, but as active participation. Translators often render it as "contest" or "struggle," preserving the sense of a defined battle with clear stakes. The imagery reminds readers that faith involves disciplined effort and perseverance, much like an athlete training for a championship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word agōn brings to mind the ancient athletic games, where competitors trained rigorously for a prize. In the New Testament, this image shifts from physical sport to spiritual endurance. It reminds us that the Christian life is not a passive drift but an active engagement. We are called to stand firm, much like Paul describing his fellow believers who faced the same struggle he did in Philippi.
This concept offers comfort when you feel overwhelmed by opposition or anxiety for others. It reframes your struggles as part of a shared journey rather than isolated failures. The faith is not about avoiding conflict but participating in it with perseverance. As Paul reflected near the end of his life, he could say he had fought the good fight, having kept the faith until the very end.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- fight2×
- race1×
- conflict.1×
- conflict1×
- a struggle1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀγῶνα5×
- ἀγῶνι.1×
Key Verses
-
Philippians 1:30
having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.
Paul uses this term to show that believers share a common struggle with him, creating a sense of united purpose in facing opposition.
-
II Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
This verse captures the culmination of a lifelong spiritual contest, affirming that faithfulness is measured by perseverance to the end.
-
I Thessalonians 2:2
but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News of God in much conflict.
Here the word highlights the boldness required to share the Good News despite previous suffering and intense conflict at Philippi.