Contend (-ing)

"to engage in a contest" (cp. Eng., "athlete"), "to contend in public games," is used in 2Ti 2:5, RV, "contend in the games," for the AV, "strive for the masteries." See STRIVE.

Note: In 1Co 9:25, the verb agonizomai, "to strive," is used in the same connection, RV, "striveth in the games." Cp. No. 3.

lit., "to separate throughout or wholly" (dia, "asunder," krino, "to judge," from a root kri--, meaning "separation"), then, to distinguish, decide, signifies, in the Middle Voice, "to separate oneself from, or to contend with," as did the circumcisionists with Peter, Act 11:2; as did Michael with Satan, Jud 1:9. See RV marg. of Jud 1:22, where the thought may be that of differing in opinion. See DIFFER, DISCERN, DOUBT, JUDGE, PARTIAL, STAGGER, WAVER.

signifies "to contend about a thing, as a combatant" (epi, "upon or about," intensive, agon, "a contest"), "to contend earnestly," Jud 1:3. The word "earnestly" is added to convey the intensive force of the preposition.