ἀγών

ἀγών — agṓn

ἀγών, ἀγῶνος, ὁ (ἄγω);

1. a place of assembly (Homer, Iliad 7, 298; 18, 376); specifically, the place in which the greeks assembled to celebrate solemn games (as the Pythian, the Olympian); hence,

2. a contest, of athletes, runners, charioteers. In a figurative sense,

a. in the phrase (used by the greeks, see τρέχω, b.) τρέχειν τόν ἀγῶνα, Heb 12:1, that is to say 'Amid all hindrances let us exert ourselves to the utmost to attain to the goal of perfection set before the followers of Christ'; any struggle with dangers, annoyances, obstacles, standing in the way of faith, holiness, and a desire to spread the gospel: 1Th 2:2; Php 1:30; 1Ti 6:12; 2Ti 4:7.

b. intense solicitude, anxiety: περί τίνος, Col 2:1 (cf. Euripides, Ph. 1350; Polybius 4, 56, 4). On the ethical use of figures borrowed from the greek games cf. grimm on Wis 4:1; (Howson, Metaphors of St. Paul, Essay iv.; Conyb. and Hows. Life and Epistles of St. Paul, chapter xx.; McClintock and Strong's Cyclopaedia iii. 733bf; BB. DD. under the word ).