1. Agonizing Effort

2. English Definitions The Concise Oxford English Dictionary says the verb “agonize” means “(1) undergo great mental anguish through worrying over something; (2) [usually as adj. agonizing] cause agony to.” The Concise Oxford English Dictionary says the verb “agonize” means “(1) undergo great mental anguish through worrying over something; (2) [usually as adj. agonizing] cause agony to.” This word is derived from French agoniser or late Latin agonizare, from Greek agōnizesthai “contend,” from agōn “contest.” This word is derived from French agoniser or late Latin agonizare, from Greek agōnizesthai “contend,” from agōn “contest.” The noun “agony,” which refers to “extreme physical or mental suffering,” also traces its origin back to the Greek agōnia, from agōn “contest.” The noun “agony,” which refers to “extreme physical or mental suffering,” also traces its origin back to the Greek agōnia, from agōn “contest.”

3. The Greek Verb The Greek verb agōnizomai, occurring 8 times, derived from agōn [a gathering, contest, struggle], means “to contend for a prize, struggle” [Thomas 75]. The Greek verb agōnizomai, occurring 8 times, derived from agōn [a gathering, contest, struggle], means “to contend for a prize, struggle” [Thomas 75]. BDAG say it is used “(1) of an athletic contest, literally and figuratively engage in a contest; (2) generally to fight, struggle; (a) literally, with weapons; (b) figuratively, of any struggle.” BDAG say it is used “(1) of an athletic contest, literally and figuratively engage in a contest; (2) generally to fight, struggle; (a) literally, with weapons; (b) figuratively, of any struggle.”

4. The Greek Noun The Greek noun agōn, occurring 6 times, refers to “a gathering, contest, struggle” [Thomas 73]. The Greek noun agōn, occurring 6 times, refers to “a gathering, contest, struggle” [Thomas 73]. BDAG say “(1) the sense ‘athletic competition’ transfers to the moral and spiritual realm a competition, contest, race; (2) generally a struggle against opposition, struggle, fight.” BDAG say “(1) the sense ‘athletic competition’ transfers to the moral and spiritual realm a competition, contest, race; (2) generally a struggle against opposition, struggle, fight.”

5. An Athlete Like an athlete who competes in the games, Christians strive mightily for a heavenly reward (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 1 Timothy 4:7- 10; Hebrews 12:1-3). Like an athlete who competes in the games, Christians strive mightily for a heavenly reward (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 1 Timothy 4:7- 10; Hebrews 12:1-3).

6. A Traveler Realizing that the broad way leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14), let us strive to enter through the narrow door and follow the narrow way that leads to eternal life (Luke 13:23-24; cf. Isaiah 35:8-10). Realizing that the broad way leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14), let us strive to enter through the narrow door and follow the narrow way that leads to eternal life (Luke 13:23-24; cf. Isaiah 35:8-10).

7. A Worker Understanding the urgency of salvation (John 9:4; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2; Colossians 4:2-6), let us labor intensely for the cause of Christ (Colossians 1:28-29; 2:1-3; 4:12-13). Understanding the urgency of salvation (John 9:4; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2; Colossians 4:2-6), let us labor intensely for the cause of Christ (Colossians 1:28-29; 2:1-3; 4:12-13).

8. A Soldier Recognizing that conflict is unavoidable (Philippians 1:27-30; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2), let us fight courageously in defense of the truth (John 18:36; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:6-8). Recognizing that conflict is unavoidable (Philippians 1:27-30; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2), let us fight courageously in defense of the truth (John 18:36; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:6-8).

9. Conclusion As an athlete, are you pressing toward the mark (Philippians 3:12-16) and competing according to the rules (2 Timothy 2:5)? As an athlete, are you pressing toward the mark (Philippians 3:12-16) and competing according to the rules (2 Timothy 2:5)? As a traveler, are you walking according to the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26)? As a traveler, are you walking according to the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26)? As a worker, are you laboring in the Lord’s vineyard (Matthew 21:28-31)? As a worker, are you laboring in the Lord’s vineyard (Matthew 21:28-31)? As a soldier of the cross, are you standing firm against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-17)? As a soldier of the cross, are you standing firm against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-17)?