ἀθλέω (athleō)
athleō
to compete
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb athleō describes engaging in a strenuous physical contest, such as wrestling or competing in public games for a prize. Its root, athlos, refers to the struggle itself or the labor required to win it. In classical usage, this term applied to athletic competitions, but in the New Testament, it carries a heavier weight of spiritual endurance.
This word appears only once in Scripture, in 2 Timothy 2:5. Paul uses it to illustrate that an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. The image is not merely about effort, but about disciplined adherence to a specific standard of conduct within the struggle.
Translators typically render this as "compete" or "struggle," emphasizing that the Christian life involves active, rule-bound participation rather than passive existence. The focus remains on the integrity of the contest itself, highlighting that victory is reserved for those who follow the established path of faithfulness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Paul uses a vivid image from the ancient games to describe the Christian life. The word for compete here suggests more than just trying hard; it implies strict adherence to the rules of the contest. An athlete does not win by cheating or improvising, but by following the established regulations set by the organizer.
This offers comfort when you feel the pressure of spiritual endurance. Your faithfulness is not measured by how loudly you compete, but by your steady obedience to God’s way. The prize is reserved for those who run their race with integrity, trusting that God honors disciplined faithfulness over flashy performance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- shall compete1×
- he shall compete.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀθλῇ1×
- ἀθλήσῃ.1×
Key Verses
-
II Timothy 2:5
Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules.
This verse establishes the crucial condition that victory requires competing according to specific rules, linking spiritual success to obedient conduct.