Fight (ἀγωνίζομαι)

The word “fight” (ἀγωνίζομαι) actually describes the struggle that an athlete has in striving to be the best in competition (1 Corinthians 9:25). ἀγωνίζομαι does not imply a violent physical struggle or combat; rather, it is better expressed using “agonize”, which refers to experiencing extreme mental or physical pain, distress, or struggle. This term applies to both literal and figurative contexts.

In 1 Timothy 6:12, Paul encourages Timothy to agonize the good agony of the faith. Unlike in a battle with Satan where we parlay (πάλη) against him by putting on the armor of God and standing firm, this struggle has to do with laying hold of eternal life. Therefore, it involves the exercising of our senses to discern what is proper from what is wrong (Hebrews 5:14).

On His way to Jerusalem, as Jesus went through the cities and villages teaching, one of the disciples asked Him about the number that would be saved (Luke 13:21). Jesus tells them that they are to struggle to enter through the narrow gate, a path that few will seek to enter through. Those who do not enter through the narrow gate will not be able to find their way into the Kingdom of God (Luke 13:24).

Jesus then speaks of a coming time when the Master of the house will shut the door. Those who remain outside will not be permitted to enter, even though they will claim to have eaten and drunk in His presence and to have heard His teaching. Jesus is the only way, and those who seek salvation through other means will not find it (John 14:6).

Near the end of his life, as Paul gave instructions to Timothy regarding the duties of a pastor, he wrote that he had struggled the proper struggle and had guarded the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). The faith Paul refers to is the doctrine concerning the good news of the Christ. Through Christ’s death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection on the third day, according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1–4), we have been given all things pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

When we cease from sin, we will struggle because of the suffering that comes upon us, for the world system rejects such a wholesome lifestyle (1 Peter 4:1). Everyone who struggles is self-controlled in all things. Unbelievers struggle to receive that which is perishable, but we struggle the good fight to receive a victor’s wreath that does not perish. We do not fight as those who beat the air; rather, through self-control and discipline, we seek to live a life that shows forth our salvation in Christ so that we are not disqualified before all (1 Corinthians 9:25-26).

Therefore, we are to struggle the good struggle, being diligent to add to our faith virtue, and to our virtue, knowledge, and to our knowledge self-control, and to our self-control patience, and to our patience godliness, and to our godliness brotherly kindness, and to our brotherly kindness love. When these qualities are present, we will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the full experiential knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:5-8).

We are not to be among those who are shortsighted and forget they have been cleansed from their old sins; rather, we are to be diligent in doing our firm calling even election so that we do not stumble (2 Peter 1:9-10). In doing so, we will also be able to say at the end of our lives that we have fought the good struggle and laid hold of the eternal life we possess in Christ.