The word for the week is agonidzomai, the N.T. Greek verb meaning struggle, fight, do one's best, or compete (in an athletic contest). An "agon" is a contest, struggle, fight, etc, and is the root for the verbal form agonidzomai, which appears in Luke 13:24 (struggling to enter the narrow gate), 1 Corinthians 9:25 (going into training), Colossians 1:29 (struggling so that others may mature spiritually), Colossians 4:12 (of Epaphras, who struggled in prayer for the Colossians), as well as in 1 Timothy 4:10 and 6:12. From this Greek word derives the English word agonize.
Well, time to make it practical. The Bible nowhere teaches that we are saved by works, or that our heroic efforts earn us salvation. However, a living and active faith is visible, vibrant, and vital. Is the grace of the Lord having its effect (1 Corinthians 15:10, Titus 2:11-14)? Does agonidzomenos (the participial form of the verb, meaning "doing one's best" -- accent on middle syllable) accurately describe our passion and our struggle for the way of Jesus Christ? How about our concern for others' spiritual well being? Or our personal spiritual training? Are we still "in the fight"?
Or would the proper word be argos (idle, lazy; careless, ineffective, useless)? As Paul would say, "Me genoito!" (Lord forbid!) So, are you argos or agonidzomenos?
