… since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Summary: The NIV’s use of the word “struggle” prompts us to examine Paul’s intent more closely.
Struggle? What struggle?
Are the Philippians in chains like Paul is?
Possibly, but as we discussed in our last meditation,* there are many kinds of suffering. In the same way, we struggle for many different reasons.
To better understand what Paul means, it helps to examine the context and his original Greek word. Paul’s complete sentence reads:
“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.” (Philippians 1:29-30)
The word “struggle” is a translation of the Greek word “agṓn” (pronounced “ag-one’”). Strong’s Concordance and Lexicon, our ever-reliable explainer of all things Greek offers this definition of the word:
“… properly, a place of assembly (as if led), i.e. (by implication) a contest (held there); figuratively, an effort or anxiety:—conflict, contention, fight, race.”†
Isn’t that interesting? Strong’s does not use the word “struggle” in its definition, yet about half of all English translations choose that word to represent “agṓn.” What gives?
The harsh reality is that ever since Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden, life has been a struggle. It didn’t have to be this way, but they turned their back on God. As Hosea would say many centuries later, “They sow[ed] the wind and reap[ed] the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7).
So here we are. Millennia have passed and human nature has not changed. We struggle to eat, we struggle to stay healthy, and ultimately we struggle with death. If it weren’t for Jesus, the whole of life would be a struggle without hope.
But now we have hope in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30-31). The Messiah has come and we can know him and be “born again” into his spiritual family (John 3:3). The flesh still must struggle to meet the needs of life, but we are freed from our struggle with death.
To return to Strong’s, we are by definition in a “place of assembly” (earth) where the truth about Jesus is in a contest with Satan’s lies about Jesus. In this contest there is conflict, first with our own flesh and secondly with the “rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
Application: In this life, expect struggles.
Food for Thought: Is it a blessing or a curse for a believer to remain on earth and struggle? Explain.
* “Philippians 1:29 – Suffering for Jesus”
†”G73 – agōn – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (niv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 26 Jun, 2025. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g73/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.
Is it a blessing or a curse for a believer to remain on earth and struggle? Explain.
Well it could be both a blessing to other believers and a curse to the evil one….or vice versa… going back to Philippians 1:21, For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Thank you, Tim!
I hadn’t thought of your second point but yes, both are true! 🙂
We are created for a purpose. Only through Christ, making Him Lord of our life, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us to truth, acting in faith, are we able to understand the true purpose that God has created us for. The curse (sin, rebellion) tries to keep us from that purpose, there lies the struggle. But in following Christ in faith, denying self, and seeking and doing the will of God and His purpose for our life, we receive the blessing.
1 John 4:4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Thanks, Chris!
Isn’t it interesting how the struggle makes us stronger?
Is it a blessing or a curse for a believer to remain on earth and struggle? Explain.
Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 3:13, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”.
I believe it is a blessing to remain on earth as ministers of God, saved, purified through Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit of God to present His message, His Truths to the world around us. We should grow into beings who know and seek the joy of presenting Jesus to all those around us, EVERY DAY!
These bodies, and the world we are confined to would have us think differently, but as believers, the life given to our spirits is stronger than our flesh, and allows us to live in reality. The reality is, yes we struggle, but by the power of God we remain on earth to do His will which is our great calling and pleasure.
John 16:33, I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Ephesians 1:3, Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Thank you, Ron!
Yes, doing God’s will is strangely satisfying! 🙂
A well covered topics with all the good bible verses and comments. Life is a gift and a blessing. We want to use it to bless others. So in that way I see it as a blessing. Israel was blessed to be a blessing to all nations on earth (Genesis 12: 2 – 3). We can also use our lives to bless others and glorify Christ.
Thanks, Rich!
Nicely said! 🙂