Epagonizomai: A Time for Contention

Word of the Week

July 4, 2026

Epagonizomai: A Time for Contention

 

Beloved, . . . I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all time handed down to the saints.

Jude 3 NASB2020

 

We live in a time when discussions happen at the top of people’s lungs.  Or in the fiery comments flung around by online pundits.

That’s why the New Testament tells us to adopt a gentle attitude toward people who disagree with us.  Our goal is to win the person, not the argument.  Our opponent is not the enemy.  Satan is.

In our era of high-decibel debate, we need the reminder to turn down the volume.

Does that mean that we turn into silent, quivering cowards who are afraid to say anything that might be controversial?

Not at all.

The Bible clearly teaches that we are engaged in a spiritual contest, one where we actively stand for truth.

The brief book of Jude was written to show us this side of the balance.  Jude wrote this letter to urge his fellow-believers to “contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 3).  Let’s look more closely at the Greek word he uses to describe our responsibility.

The phrase “contend earnestly” comes from the Greek word epagonizomai [ehp-ah-goh-NIDZ-oh-mye].  This is the only place where it appears in the New Testament.  It is an intensified form of another word, agonizomai, which occurs 8 times.

The basic word was used for competing in athletic events.  Paul spoke about the runner “who competes in the games” (1 Corinthians 9:25).

It could also be used of combat.  Jesus told Pilate, “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews” (John 18:36).

Most of the time, however, it is used figuratively to describe strenuous effort to win a spiritual battle or contest.

• Jesus urged His hearers to strive to enter the kingdom through the narrow door (Luke 13:24).
• Paul labored for the growth of the believers, “striving according to His power” (Colossians 1:29). See also 1 Timothy 4:10).
• Epaphras, a leader in the Colossian church, was described as “always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers” (Colossians 4:12).
• And as Paul exhorted, “Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12).

At his life’s end, the apostle could say, “I have fought the good fight” (2 Timothy 4:7).

Whether we are talking about an Olympic dash, a military skirmish, or a spiritual battle, God asks us to fight hard – to be active, not passive.  All of these verses describe people who are throwing themselves unreservedly into the fray.

The basic word is intense!  And the emphatic version of the word in Jude 3 is even more intense.  Jude is writing to urge his readers to go all out in order to ensure that truth wins over error.

Read the book of Jude and you will see that he was not shy in denouncing false teachers, exposing the reality of the danger lurking behind their smooth façade.

As Paul says, we must speak the truth in love.  Both truth and love have top priority as we seek to represent the King.

 

Study Hint:

You can build a more complete picture of this Greek word by reading our “Word of the Week” article on the matching noun agōn.  Click HERE to see the full article.

 

Coming Up

Next week we conclude our series on key words for each New Testament book.  We end with the book of Revelation.  Come back next week to see a word that conveys one of the key themes of the final installment of God’s revelation to us.

Ezra Project 2026