Agonize
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The term "agonize" in the context of the Bible is derived from the Greek word "agonizomai," which conveys the idea of striving, struggling, or contending with intense effort. This concept is often associated with the Christian life, where believers are called to exert themselves in their spiritual journey, much like an athlete in a competition.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Striving in Prayer and Faith: The Apostle Paul uses the term in Colossians 4:12, where he speaks of Epaphras, who is "always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God." Here, the idea of agonizing is linked to fervent prayer, emphasizing the intensity and dedication required in intercessory prayer.

2. The Christian Race: In 1 Corinthians 9:25, Paul draws a parallel between the Christian life and athletic contests: "Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable." The imagery of an athlete training and competing with discipline and effort is used to illustrate the believer's pursuit of spiritual goals.

3. Striving for the Kingdom: Jesus Himself uses a form of this word in Luke 13:24, where He instructs, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able." This passage underscores the necessity of earnest effort and determination in seeking salvation and entering the Kingdom of God.

4. Contending for the Faith: Jude 1:3 exhorts believers to "contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." The call to agonize here is a call to defend and uphold the truth of the Gospel against false teachings and moral compromise.

Theological Implications

The concept of agonizing in the Christian life highlights the active role believers must take in their spiritual development and the pursuit of holiness. It suggests that the path of faith is not passive but requires diligence, perseverance, and sometimes struggle against both internal and external challenges. This struggle is not in vain, as it is empowered by the Holy Spirit and directed towards the ultimate goal of eternal life with God.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to apply the principle of agonizing in various aspects of their spiritual lives:

· Prayer: Engaging in persistent and heartfelt prayer, interceding for others, and seeking God's will.
· Discipleship: Committing to spiritual disciplines such as Bible study, worship, and fellowship with other believers.
· Moral Integrity: Resisting temptation and striving to live a life that reflects the character of Christ.
· Evangelism and Apologetics: Actively sharing the Gospel and defending the faith with love and truth.

In summary, the biblical concept of agonizing serves as a powerful reminder of the commitment and effort required in the Christian walk, encouraging believers to pursue their faith with vigor and determination.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (v. i.) To writhe with agony; to suffer violent anguish.

2. (v. i.) To struggle; to wrestle; to strive desperately.

3. (v. t.) To cause to suffer agony; to subject to extreme pain; to torture.

Greek
4865. sunagonizomai -- to strive with
... 4865 (from 4862 , "identified " and 75 , "agonize, strive") -- properly, fight
(agonize) together; "to strive together with, to help (properly, 'sharing in a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4865.htm - 7k

73. agon -- a gathering, contest, struggle
... 73 (a masculine noun, and the root of the English words, "agony," "agonize") --
properly, a (), a grueling (fight); (figuratively) that goes with " the good of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/73.htm - 7k

Library

A Warning to Believers
... Over and over again he is telling us so to run that we may obtain, bidding us to
strive, and at other times to agonize, and speaking of wrestling and contending ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/a warning to believers.htm

Going to the Father
... To live greatly like Christ is not to agonize daily over details, to make anxious
comparisons with what we do and what He did, but a much more simple thing. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/going to the father.htm

Out of his Fulness.
... receiving all we need. We receive it not on our merit, because we labor or
agonize for it, but we receive of His fulness. But who can ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/out of his fulness.htm

21ST DAY. A Due Reaping.
... all be of grace," thy God calls thee to personal strenuousness in the work of thy
high calling;"to "labour," to "fight," to "wrestle," to "agonize;" and the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the faithful promiser/21st day a due reaping.htm

A Lecture for Little-Faith
... and thrust forth into the work, only he who has had his tongue touched with a live
coal from off the altar, can tell you what it is to agonize for men's souls ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/a lecture for little-faith.htm

Further Concerning Volitions and Free-Wills: Minds, Too, and ...
... For when He prayed that He might escape the death, it was with His divine will
naturally willing and permitting it that He did so pray and agonize and fear ...
/.../chapter xviii further concerning volitions and.htm

The Strait Gate. Warned against Herod.
... spirit, or else to take a position which would subject him to the charge of being
unpatriotic.] And he said unto them, 24 Strive [literally, agonize] to enter ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxxix the strait gate warned.htm

Pelagius' Letter Discussed.
... John asserted that Pelagius put in this answer in his presence, that "he wished
it to be understood that the man who was willing to labour and agonize for his ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 55 pelagius letter discussed.htm

The Preparatory Service; Sometimes Called the Confessional Service ...
... Grace to know ourselves, our sinfulness, and the fulness of Christ's Grace, and
hear such searching appeals from the pastor as often pain and agonize the heart ...
/.../chapter xvi the preparatory service.htm

Proofs that the Union was Without Confusion.
... effected by the conception, and, as they argue, made both natures one, how could
the properties of the natures continue unimpaired, the soul agonize, and the ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/proofs that the union was.htm

Thesaurus
Agonize (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To cause to suffer agony; to subject to extreme pain; to torture.
Multi-Version Concordance Agonize (1 Occurrence). Jude ...
/a/agonize.htm - 6k

Agony (20 Occurrences)
... The verb from which the noun "agony" is derived is used to denote an earnest endeavour
or striving, as "Strive [agonize] to enter" (Luke 13:24); "Then would my ...
/a/agony.htm - 18k

Fervent (10 Occurrences)
... The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working." "Fervently" is
the translation of agonizomai, "to strive or struggle" (agonize), Colossians 4 ...
/f/fervent.htm - 11k

Agone (1 Occurrence)

/a/agone.htm - 7k

Necessity (22 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:3 Beloved, all diligence using to write to you concerning the common salvation,
I had necessity to write to you, exhorting to agonize for the faith once ...
/n/necessity.htm - 13k

Resources
What is apostasy and how can I recognize it? | GotQuestions.org

Just how narrow is the narrow gate? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about fighting? | GotQuestions.org

Agonize: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Agonize (1 Occurrence)

Jude 1:3
Beloved, all diligence using to write to you concerning the common salvation, I had necessity to write to you, exhorting to agonize for the faith once delivered to the saints,
(YLT)

Subtopics

Agonize

Related Terms

Sweat (3 Occurrences)

Agonize (1 Occurrence)

Bloody (19 Occurrences)

Gethsemane (2 Occurrences)

Writhe (6 Occurrences)

Inflicts (7 Occurrences)

Mission (14 Occurrences)

Awful (20 Occurrences)

Struggle (16 Occurrences)

Stings (3 Occurrences)

Sting (5 Occurrences)

Cross (157 Occurrences)

Blood (435 Occurrences)

Yell (1 Occurrence)

Qualm (1 Occurrence)

Nail (9 Occurrences)

Over-elated (1 Occurrence)

Jacob (361 Occurrences)

Gnaw (4 Occurrences)

Grandeur (3 Occurrences)

Gall (17 Occurrences)

Impalement (1 Occurrence)

Impossible (31 Occurrences)

Intense (13 Occurrences)

Freed (32 Occurrences)

Fervently (7 Occurrences)

Threw (133 Occurrences)

Torture (9 Occurrences)

Receiving (72 Occurrences)

Repeatedly (28 Occurrences)

Expire (14 Occurrences)

Earnestness (14 Occurrences)

Earnestly (78 Occurrences)

Elated (2 Occurrences)

Drops (27 Occurrences)

Dealing (36 Occurrences)

Distress (169 Occurrences)

During (182 Occurrences)

Distance (75 Occurrences)

Dropping (33 Occurrences)

Praying (71 Occurrences)

Paradise (6 Occurrences)

Pang (1 Occurrence)

Prayed (97 Occurrences)

Clots (1 Occurrence)

Childbirth (24 Occurrences)

Consolation (23 Occurrences)

Anguish (75 Occurrences)

Stupendous (1 Occurrence)

Spared (45 Occurrences)

Satan's (5 Occurrences)

Sinlessness

Short (128 Occurrences)

Aloud (141 Occurrences)

Pains (59 Occurrences)

Water (4571 Occurrences)

Ashkelon (12 Occurrences)

Expectation (25 Occurrences)

Putting (278 Occurrences)

Agrapha

Ostrich (9 Occurrences)

Falling (233 Occurrences)

James (40 Occurrences)

Possible (133 Occurrences)

Blow (124 Occurrences)

Pity (165 Occurrences)

Angel (209 Occurrences)

Judging (141 Occurrences)

Ekron (20 Occurrences)

Raise (175 Occurrences)

Raised (267 Occurrences)

Held (223 Occurrences)

Gaza (22 Occurrences)

Free (454 Occurrences)

Deserted (54 Occurrences)

Face (780 Occurrences)

Disappointed (69 Occurrences)

Inhabited (64 Occurrences)

Agone
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