Lexical Definition

‎ἀγών‎ agṓn (ag-one') fight ^G:N-M
from ‎ἄγω‎

conflict, contention, fight, race.

• properly, a place of assembly (as if led), i.e. (by implication) a contest (held there)
• figuratively, an effort or anxiety

Abbott-Smith

ἀγών, -ῶνος, ὁ (< ἄγω), [in LXX: Is 7:13 (לאה), Es 4:17, Wi 4:2 10:12, II Mac6, IV Mac5*;]

1. a gathering, esp. for games.
2. a place of assembly.
3. a contest, struggle, trial; metaph. (MM, VGT, s.v.),
(a) of the Christian life as a contest and struggle: Phl 1:30, I Th 2:2, I Ti 6:12, II Ti 4:7 He 12:1;
(b) solicitude, anxiety: Col 2:1.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

ἀγών [ᾰ], ῶνος, ὁ,

Aeolic dialect ἄγωνος, ου, ὁ, [Refs 7th c.BC+]; Elean dative plural ἀγώνοιρ[Refs]: (ἄγω):—gathering, assembly, ἵζανεν εὐρὺν ἀ.[Refs 8th c.BC+]: especially assembly met to see games, frequently in [Refs 8th c.BC+]; Ὑπερβορέων ἀ. Pi [Refs 4th c.BC+]

__2 place of contest, lists, course, βήτην ἐς μέσσον ἀ.[Refs 8th c.BC+] out of the lists or course, i.e. beside the mark, [Refs 8th c.BC+]
__II assembly of the Greeks at the national games, ὁ ἐν Ὀλυμπίῃ ἀ.[Refs 5th c.BC+]:— hence, contest for a prize at the games, ἀ. γυμνικός, ἱππικός, μουσικός, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἀ. τῶν ἀνδρῶν contest in which the chorus was composed of men, opposed to to παίδων or ἀγενείων (which see), [Refs 4th c.BC+]; ἀ. στεφανηφόρος or στεφανίτης contest where the prize is a crown, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἀ. χάλκεος, where it is a shield of brass, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἀργυρίτης δωρίτης[Refs 1st c.AD+] —hence many phrases, ἀγῶνα καταστῆσαι establish a contest, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τοὺς ἀ. νικᾶν[Refs 5th c.BC+]; of contests in general, εἰς ἀ. λόγων ἀφικέσθαι τινί[Refs 5th c.BC+]; πρὸς τίν᾽ ἀγῶνας τιθέμεσθ᾽ ἀρετῆ; [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III generally, struggle, πολλοὺς ἀ. ἐξιών, of Hercules, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ψυχῆς ἀ. τὸν προκείμενον πέρι struggle for life and death, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III.2 battle, action, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III.3 action at law, trial, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III.4 speech delivered in court or before an assembly or ruler, πρεσβευτικοὶ ἀ.[Refs 2nd c.BC+]; ἀ. ἐσχηματισμένοι[Refs 1st c.BC+]
__III.4.b Rhet., main argument of a speech (opposed to προοίμιον, ἐπίλογος), in plural, Syr.[Refs]
__III.5 metaphorically, οὐ λόγων ἔθ᾽ ἁγών now is not the time for words, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; οὐχ ἕδρας ἀ. 'tis no time for sitting still, [Refs]; ἀ. πρόφασιν οὐ δέχεται the crisis admits no dallying, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; μέγας ὁ ἀ... τὸ χρηστὸν ἢ κακὸν γενέσθαι the issue is great.., [Refs 5th c.BC+]; οὐ περί τινος ὁ ἀ. the question is not about.., [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III.6 mental struggle, anxiety, [NT+5th c.BC+]
__III.6.b of speakers, vehemence, power, [Refs 3rd c.AD+]
__IV personified, Ἀγών, divinity of the contest, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: Col.2.1}