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To Strive / Struggle / Fight for Something
 

[This study is based on a group of Greek words, all having the same root ("agon-" - from which we get the English word "agony"). In this outline, the verses are paraphrased or summarized, and the specific words we are examining are underlined. For those who are interested, a list of the Greek words, their definitions, and the verses in which they are found, are given at the end of the outline.]

 


SOME OF THE TYPES OF STRUGGLES / STRIVING
WE WILL HAVE AS CHRISTIANS
 

A. Pertaining to the "good news" of the faith...

  1. Struggling (against false teachers) to maintain the purity of the faith.
  2. The opposition/strife caused by those who do not want the gospel proclaimed.

B. Pertaining to our own salvation.

  1. Struggling to make sure we are among the saved.

C. Pertaining to our own spiritual growth, godliness, etc.

  1. The need to persevere in our struggle for sanctification/holiness [a teaching illustration].
  2. Struggling against sin.
  3. Striving for godliness [with a focus on God, not on the body].
  4. "Fighting the good fight."

E. Pertaining to the spiritual growth of others. [The focus is on OUR struggles for them, resulting in their growth.]

  1. By means of proclaiming, admonishing, teaching.
  2. By means of prayer (an example).

F. Pertaining to other people's struggles (sharing or similarity with them). [The focus is on THEIR struggles, which we share, or the similarity of our/their struggles.]

  1. Willing to share (by praying for them).
  2. Experiencing the same types of struggles that others do... for Christ's sake.

 


 

MISC. USES OF THE WORD...
 

A. "Struggle" at Gethsemane.

  1. Jesus' "emotional struggle" (anguish/agony).
  2. Near absence of "physical struggle" by the disciples (who ran off, rather than defending and protecting Jesus).

B. Victory over opposition (and over those who "struggle" against you).

  1. The "opposition" to the proclamation of the gospel... overcome.
  2. A "winning struggle" - conquering of kingdoms by some of the "men of faith."

 



 

[This is OPTIONAL - only for those who are interested.]

Verse List and New Testament Greek Definitions
(based on Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament)

agonia

agon

agonizomai

sunagonizomai

antagonizomai

katagonizomai

epagonizomai

Dennis Hinks © 1995
[Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament - public domain]
["KJV" refers to the King James Version]
041230