ἀθλέω
To contend in the competitive games
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
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What does ἀθλέω (athléō) mean in the Bible?
ἀθλέω (athléō) is a Greek word meaning "to contend in the competitive games". ἀθλέω, -ῶ (in cl. The metaphor stresses disciplined obedience to the standards set for faithful ministry.
Meaning
To struggle or compete strenuously, emphasizing athletic effort within formal contests or discipline.
to contend in games, wrestle, combat: 2Ti.2:5.
Why This Word Matters
The metaphor stresses disciplined obedience to the standards set for faithful ministry. 2 Timothy 2:1-7
Grammatical Forms
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
Subjunctive possibility, probability, or purpose 2×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 2 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.