ἀγών
agṓn
G73 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A gathering or assembly, especially for athletic contests; (by extension) a competition, contest, struggle. In figurative use, refers to a struggle or conflict, whether physical, mental, or spiritual, including a race or an arduous effort in pursuit of a goal. The primary sense is the place of assembly for games or contests, but it developed to denote the contest itself, and further, the exertion or struggle required in various contexts.
Semantic Range
assembly, place of contest, athletic games, formal competition, contest or struggle, legal dispute, poetic contest, effort, exertion, struggle (figurative or spiritual), race
Root / Etymology
From the root ἀγ- ('to lead, bring, gather') plus the noun suffix -ών. The verb ἄγω means 'to lead, bring'. The noun ἀγών likely originated in the context of gatherings where participants were 'led together', especially for public games or competitions.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Classically, ἀγών signified the formal gathering for athletic games or contests—such as those at Olympia, Delphi, or Nemea—where citizens assembled (ἀγείρω, 'to gather') for competition. The term extended to refer not only to the venue or gathering but also to the contest itself, whether athletic (wrestling, boxing, running), judicial (legal disputes), or even poetic. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek (including the New Testament), ἀγών frequently acquires metaphorical uses: it describes life's struggles, efforts in pursuit of virtue, or spiritual exertion. In Paul's letters, ἀγών and its cognates (e.g., ἀγωνίζομαι) are commonly used to denote the demanding effort and struggle required in faith or service. Standard English translations often render it as 'conflict', 'contest', 'race', or 'struggle', but this can obscure its rich athletic and competitive connotations, as well as its original sense of public assembly. The semantic field does not always imply hostile conflict; it may highlight strenuous effort, dedication, or perseverance. There is overlap with words like πάλη (wrestling) or μάχη (battle), but ἀγών is broader, encompassing any kind of contest or demanding effort. In the Septuagint, the term is rare but, when used, carries similar metaphorical or competitive nuances. The English 'agony' is ultimately derived from this root but in NT contexts it usually does not suggest intense pain, rather the effort of contest or struggle.
Translation Consistency
ʻContestʼ best captures the primary sense (place and event of athletic games) and the extended senses (competition, struggle, race, legal or figurative conflict). It is the most frequent English rendering in the provided P2 data, sounds natural in both literal and figurative contexts, and will provide consistent, readable wording across all forms of ἀγών.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἄγω; properly, a place of assembly (as if led), i.e. (by implication) a contest (held there); figuratively, an effort or anxiety:--conflict, contention, fight, race.
Root Family
ἀγών (agōn) — assembly, contest, struggle, competition, exertion
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G73-01 |
ἀγῶνα | agona | N ACC M SG |
fight | contest | contest | 5 |
G73-02 |
ἀγῶνι | agoni | N DAT M SG |
opposition | in the contest | contest | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G73-01 |
Philippians 1:30 | ἀγῶνα | agona | N ACC M SG |
conflict | contest | contest |
G73-01 |
Colossians 2:1 | ἀγῶνα | agona | N ACC M SG |
a struggle | contest | contest |
G73-02 |
1 Thessalonians 2:2 | ἀγῶνι | agoni | N DAT M SG |
opposition | in the contest | contest |
G73-01 |
1 Timothy 6:12 | ἀγῶνα | agona | N ACC M SG |
fight | contest | contest |
G73-01 |
2 Timothy 4:7 | ἀγῶνα | agona | N ACC M SG |
fight | contest | contest |
G73-01 |
Hebrews 12:1 | ἀγῶνα | agona | N ACC M SG |
race | contest | contest |