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The Association of Church Sports and Recreation Ministries

Colossians 4:12 - Agonizomenos

Dr. Greg Linville
August 7, 2026

AGON, Competition, Striving, Struggle, Prayer, Teamwork

Colossians 4:12

“Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God.”

Agonizomenos: competing, struggling, or striving

Agonizomenos: competing, struggling, or striving

Who is “struggling” for you in prayer...


Today we continue on the theme of “striving” or “struggling”... spiritually speaking. Today, our conversation is based upon a continued study of the Greek word Agon which was an athletic term that was rooted in the concept of an athlete’s “striving or struggling” to overcome an opponent or obstacle.

Paul writes in the 4th chapter and 12th verse of his letter to believers in the ancient city of Colossae that a dear co-laborer of Paul, who was a “servant” of Christ... “struggles” or “strives” in prayers for the Colossians that they “may stand mature and be fully assured in the will of God.”

Who is your prayer partner?

Who is “struggling” in prayer for your maturity and assurance?


Action point: Who will you ask today to join your team of prayer warriors and will “struggle” for you in prayer.

Looking for more...

Want to learn more about how to compete and strive in a Biblical manner?

Check out our first book in the AGON series from OVP! Christmanship: The Theology of Competition by Dr. Greg Linville.

Want to learn more about how to compete and strive in a Biblical manner?

Check out our first book in the AGON series from OVP! Christmanship: The Theology of Competition by Dr. Greg Linville.
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