Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "contest" can refer to various forms of competition, struggle, or conflict, both physical and spiritual. The concept of contest is often used metaphorically to describe the Christian life, spiritual warfare, and the pursuit of righteousness.
Old Testament ContextThe Old Testament contains numerous accounts of physical contests, often in the form of battles or personal struggles. One of the most famous contests is the battle between David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17). This account illustrates the theme of faith and divine intervention, as David, a young shepherd, defeats the giant Goliath with God's help. The contest is not merely physical but also spiritual, as it demonstrates God's power over human strength.
Another significant contest is the struggle between Jacob and the angel of the Lord in
Genesis 32:24-30. This event, often referred to as Jacob wrestling with God, symbolizes the spiritual struggle and transformation that Jacob undergoes, resulting in his name being changed to Israel, meaning "he struggles with God."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of contest is frequently used to describe the Christian life as a race or a fight. The Apostle Paul often employs athletic metaphors to encourage believers to persevere in their faith. In
1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul writes, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize." Here, the contest is the Christian's pursuit of holiness and eternal life, requiring discipline and dedication.
Similarly, in
2 Timothy 4:7, Paul reflects on his own life, saying, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." The imagery of a fight or race underscores the perseverance and endurance required in the Christian journey.
Spiritual WarfareThe concept of contest is also evident in the theme of spiritual warfare.
Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage highlights the spiritual contest between believers and the forces of evil, emphasizing the need for spiritual armor and readiness.
Moral and Ethical ContestsThroughout Scripture, contests also occur in the form of moral and ethical decisions. The account of Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (
1 Kings 18:20-40) is a contest of faith and truth. Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to call upon their god to send fire from heaven, while he calls upon the Lord. The contest reveals the power of the true God and the futility of idolatry.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of contest encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, serving as a metaphor for the Christian life. It calls believers to engage in the struggle for faith, righteousness, and truth, relying on God's strength and guidance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To make a subject of dispute, contention, litigation, or emulation; to contend for; to call in question; to controvert; to oppose; to dispute.
2. (v. t.) To strive earnestly to hold or maintain; to struggle to defend; as, the troops contested every inch of ground.
3. (v. t.) To make a subject of litigation; to defend, as a suit; to dispute or resist; as a claim, by course of law; to controvert.
4. (v. i.) To engage in contention, or emulation; to contend; to strive; to vie; to emulate; -- followed usually by with.
5. (n.) Earnest dispute; strife in argument; controversy; debate; altercation.
6. (n.) Earnest struggle for superiority, victory, defense, etc.; competition; emulation; strife in arms; conflict; combat; encounter.
Greek
73. agon -- a gathering,contest, struggle... a gathering,
contest, struggle. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
agon Phonetic Spelling: (ag-one') Short Definition: a
contest Definition: an
...74. agonia -- acontest, great fear
... acontest, great fear. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: agonia Phonetic
Spelling: (ag-o-nee'-ah) Short Definition:contest, agony Definition...
119. athlesis -- acontest
... acontest. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: athlesis Phonetic Spelling:
(ath'-lay-sis) Short Definition: acontest Definition: a struggling (as...
118. athleo -- to contend, wrestle
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: athleo Phonetic Spelling: (ath-leh'-o) Short
Definition: I compete Definition: I engage, compete, in an (athletic)contest...
75. agonizomai -- to contend for a prize, struggle
... Phonetic Spelling: (ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I strive, contend Definition:
I am struggling, striving (as in an athleticcontest or warfare); I...
2603. katabrabeuo -- to give judgment against
... katabrabeuo Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ab-rab-yoo'-o) Short Definition: I decide against,
condemn Definition: of the umpire in acontest: I decide against, take...
1864. epagonizomai -- to contend with or for
... 1864 (from 1909 , "focused " and 73 , "acontest, competition") -- properly, to
(literally, ""), ie with skill and commitment in opposing whatever is not of...
4865. sunagonizomai -- to strive with
... from 4862 , "identified " and 75 , "agonize, strive") -- properly, fight (agonize)
together; "to strive together with, to help (properly, 'sharing in acontest...
3823. pale -- wrestling, generally fight
... pale Phonetic Spelling: (pal'-ay) Short Definition: a wrestling, struggle Definition:
wrestling, a wrestling bout; hence: a struggle, fight, conflict,contest....
Strong's Hebrew
7832. sachaq -- to laugh... root Definition to laugh NASB Word Usage amuse (1), amusing (1), celebrate (2),
celebrating (3), hold a
contest (1), joking (1), laugh (6), laughed them to
...4066. madon -- strife, contention
... brawling, contention, discord, strife. From diyn; acontest or quarrel -- brawling,
contention(-ous), discord, strife. Compare midyan, mdan. see HEBREW diyn....
7379. rib -- strife, dispute
... Or rib {reeb}; from riyb; acontest (personal or legal) -- + adversary, cause, chiding,
contend(-tion), controversy, multitude (from the margin), pleading...
Library
AContest of Hospitality.
... Book VIII. Chapter XXXV."AContest of Hospitality. When Niceta had thus
spoken, the old man answered: "You indeed, my son, have...
That in Our SpiritualContest we Ought to Draw an Example from the...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XII. That in our spiritualcontest we ought to draw
an example from the carnal contests. "One who strives in...
The Christian'sContest, Rest, and Hope.
... CHRISTIAN CHARACTER AND LIFE. 360. " The Christian'sContest, Rest, and Hope.
360. CM HK White. The Christian'sContest, Rest, and Hope....
But If, for theContest's Sake, God had Appointed Martyrdoms for...
... Chapter VI. But if, for thecontest's sake, God had appointed martyrdoms
for us? But if, for thecontest's sake, God had appointed...
Seest Thou How, at the End of theContest...
... Some Other Fragments of the Same Methodius. IV. Seest thou how, at the end
of thecontest? Seest thou how, at the end of thecontest...
The First Per??an Discourses - to the Pharisees Concerning the Two...
... THE FIRST PER??AN DISCOURSES - TO THE PHARISEES CONCERNING THE TWO KINGDOMS - THEIR
CONTEST - WHAT QUALIFIES A DISCIPLE FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HOW ISRAEL...
The True and Chaste virgins Few; Chastity aContest; Thekla
... Discourse XI."Arete. Chapter I."The True and Chaste Virgins Few; Chastity
aContest; Thekla. Chief of Virgins. I do accept it...
Epistle viii. To the Martyrs and Confessors.
... themselves you were more and more stimulated to the conflict; bravely and firmly
you have returned with ready devotion, to contend in the extremestcontest....
Verse the Fifteenth
... 1. He does not approve of that which he does, neither does he do that which he would,
but he does that which he hates.2. The nature of thecontest carried on...
But to those who have Been Delivered Up, and have Fallen...
... But to those who have been delivered up, and have fallen, who also of their own
accord have approached thecontest, confessing themselves to be Christians, and...
Thesaurus
Contest (7 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Contest (7 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 9:25 But every
competitor in an athletic
contest practices abstemiousness in all directions.
...War (529 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Acontest between nations or states, carried on by force, whether for defense,
for revenging insults and redressing wrongs, for the extension of...
Agony (20 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible DictionaryContest; wrestling; severe struggling with pain and suffering....
Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) Violentcontest or striving....
Game (11 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Acontest, physical or mental, according to certain rules, for amusement,
recreation, or for winning a stake; as, a game of chance; games of skill...
Dispute (37 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To strive or contend about; tocontest. 5. (vt) To struggle against; to
resist.... 7. (vi)Contest; struggle; quarrel. Multi-Version Concordance...
Match (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A bringing together of two parties suited to one another, as for
a union, a trial of skill or force, acontest, or the like....
Prize (13 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) An honor or reward striven for in a competitivecontest; anything offered
to be competed for, or as an inducement to, or reward of, effort....
Quarrel (22 Occurrences)
... amity, or obligation; a falling out; a difference; a disagreement; an antagonism
in opinion, feeling, or conduct; esp., an angry dispute,contest, or strife; a...
Vie (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To strive for superiority; to contend; to
use emulous effort, as in a race,contest, or competition....
Winning (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Attracting; adapted to gain favor; charming; as, a winning address. 3.
(n.) The act of obtaining something, as in acontest or by competition....
Resources
Should a Christian enter a sweepstakes? | GotQuestions.orgWhy were Michael and Satan disputing over the body of Moses (Jude 9)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the five heavenly crowns that believers can receive in Heaven? | GotQuestions.orgContest: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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