Conflict
The Language of Contest and Combat
The English word "conflict" in the Bible translates two related Greek terms. The first, "agon," means a contest, struggle, or fight, and is the root of the English word "agony." The second, "athlesis," refers specifically to combat in public games and gives us the English word "athletics." Both terms were drawn from the world of Greco-Roman athletic competition, where contestants endured intense physical and mental strain to win their prize.
Paul's Conflict in Philippians and Colossians
In Philippians 1:30, Paul tells the believers in Philippi that they are engaged in "the same conflict" that they had seen in him and now heard about. The conflict Paul references includes both his imprisonment and his ongoing opposition from those who preached Christ out of rivalry (Philippians 1:15-17). In Colossians 2:1, Paul describes the great "conflict" (struggle) he has on behalf of the Colossians and those at Laodicea, referring to his intense prayer and spiritual labor for churches he had never visited in person.
The Conflict of Faith in Hebrews
The writer of Hebrews uses the athletic term "athlesis" in Hebrews 10:32, reminding believers of "the great conflict of sufferings" they endured after their initial conversion. This included public reproach, affliction, and the plundering of their possessions (Hebrews 10:33-34). The recipients had already demonstrated remarkable endurance, and the writer encourages them not to throw away their confidence but to persevere (Hebrews 10:35-36).
Paul's Personal Testimony of Conflict
In 1 Thessalonians 2:2, Paul recalls how he and his companions had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi before coming to Thessalonica, yet they had courage "in our God to declare the gospel in the midst of much conflict." This passage reveals that the conflicts Paul endured were not merely personal trials but active opposition to the gospel itself. His willingness to continue preaching despite physical danger exemplified the athlete's determination to finish the race (Acts 16:22-24).
The Christian Life as an Athletic Contest
The use of athletic imagery for spiritual conflict was natural in the Greco-Roman world, where public games were a central cultural institution. Paul developed this metaphor extensively, comparing the Christian life to running a race (1 Corinthians 9:24-27), fighting a good fight (2 Timothy 4:7), and training for an imperishable crown (1 Corinthians 9:25). The metaphor emphasizes that the Christian life requires discipline, perseverance, and willingness to endure hardship for the sake of an eternal reward.
Encouragement for Those in Conflict
The biblical use of "conflict" assures believers that struggle is a normal part of the faithful life, not a sign of failure. Those who endure conflict for the sake of Christ follow in the footsteps of the apostles and of Jesus Himself, who "for the joy that was set before him endured the cross" (Hebrews 12:2). The promise that accompanies every biblical reference to conflict is that God is faithful to sustain His people through every trial and to bring them to ultimate victory.
Biblical Context
The word 'conflict' appears in Philippians 1:30 and Colossians 2:1 (translating 'agon'), in 1 Thessalonians 2:2 (translated 'contention' in KJV), and in Hebrews 10:32 (translating 'athlesis'). Each occurrence describes the spiritual struggle and suffering endured by believers and apostles as they lived out and proclaimed the gospel in a hostile world.
Theological Significance
The biblical concept of conflict teaches that the Christian life involves genuine struggle against opposition, suffering, and temptation. The athletic metaphors emphasize that this conflict is purposeful, with an eternal prize awaiting those who endure. The theology of conflict also affirms that believers do not fight alone; God equips, strengthens, and ultimately vindicates those who persevere in faith.
Historical Background
The Greek terms used for conflict were drawn from the world of Greco-Roman athletics, where events like the Olympic, Isthmian, and Nemean games held enormous cultural significance. Athletes trained rigorously, competed publicly, and endured pain for the honor of victory. Paul, writing from cities like Corinth (near the Isthmian games), would have been well aware of this cultural context. The metaphor made the abstract concept of spiritual warfare tangible and relatable to his audience.