AND FOR THIS PURPOSE I LABOR: eis o kai kopio (1SPAI) agonizomenos (PMPMSN):(Acts 20:35 2Co 11:21-33 Col 4:12 1Co 15:10 Php 2:16 1Th 2:9  2Th 3:8 2Ti 2:10  1Ti 5:17 2Ti 2:6) 

"For this end I train myself in the discipline of self-denial; for this end I commit myself to the arena of suffering and toil’ " (Lightfoot)

"to which end also I am constantly laboring to the point of exhaustion" (Wuest)

"For this I labor unto weariness]" (Amplified)

"for which also I labor, striving according to His supernatural working, the one supernaturally working in me in power." (Analyzed Literal)

"Toward this goal I also labor" (NET)

"Purpose" (for this end) is not in the original Greek sentence but it is implied. The idea of the preposition "for" (eis) expresses motion toward, thus one could translate it "toward this end".  What end? Every man complete in Christ. One is reminded of Paul's description of his physical toil in 2Co 11:21-33 and the revealing addition,

“Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches” (2Co 11:28).

In his letter to the saints in Thessalonica he sums up the effort required writing

"For you recall, brethren, our labor (kopos = engage in an activity that is burdensome with associated distress, trouble, discomfort, difficulty)) and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God." (1Thes 2:9)

Labor (2872) (kopiao from kopos = labor which involves toil and weariness and sorrow) means to engage in hard work and implies difficulties and trouble. Kopiao speaks of intense toil even sweating and straining to the point of exhaustion if necessary. (present tense = continually) Kopiao  was used for work which left one so weary it was as if the person had taken a beating.  Henry Blackaby says that God will wear you out when you are in the center of His will. It is not surprising to see that Paul uses kopiao frequently to describe the quality of labor involved in ministry for the Lord . Kopiao was sometimes used to refer to athletic training. It was also common used among the down-trodden masses of the Roman world. 

The present tense emphasizes that this was Paul's lifestyle. The active voice indicates this is his volitional choice. Remember that Paul calls us all to be imitators of him, just as he is of Christ Jesus!

Kopiao is found 24 times in the NT (Matthew 2x; Luke 2x; John 2x; Acts - Study all of Paul's uses of kopiao to get a good sense of what it means to toil and labor in ministry: Ro16:6,12, 1 Cor 4:12, 15:10, 16:16, Gal 4:11 Eph 4:28 Php 2:16 1Th 5:12 Col 1:29 1 Ti4:10, 5:17 2 Timothy 2:6 Rev 2:3) and is translated in the NAS as: diligently labor, 1; grown weary, 1; hard-working, 1; labor, 3; labored, 4; labors, 1; toil, 4; wearied, 1; weary, 1; work hard, 1; worked, 2; worked hard, 1; worked hard worked hard, 1; workers, 1; working hard, 1. (Click for in depth study of kopiao)

Kopiao is the word Jesus used in His famous invitation "Come to Me, all who are weary (worn out, ready to faint from exhaustion) and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." (Mt 11:28) 

An excellent illustration of toiling according to our power versus God's power is found in Luke 5. Peter the famous fisherman is given instructions by Jesus to

"Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch".

He could have resisted but instead submitted and said

"Master, we worked hard (kopiao) all night and caught nothing, but at Your bidding I will let down the nets."

What was the result when Peter worked according to "His power"? Luke records that he experienced supernatural results and

"enclosed a great quantity of fish; and their nets began to break." (Luke 5:4-6) 

Paul knew that investment now would bear fruit for eternity and thus encouraged Timothy to

"Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard (kopiao) at preaching and teaching." (1Ti 5:17) What would be the result of such a ministry? Surely it would be a body of believers who were becoming compete in Christ.

In a parallel passage to encourage Timothy Paul wrote that

"The hard-working  (kopiao) farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops (fruit)." (See note 2 Timothy 2:6)

Do you ever feel like you're at the end of your rope? You've labored in the fields God has placed you and there seems so little pursuit of godliness and holiness and fear of the Lord...and you are exhausted to the point of giving up?

Let us not "lose heart in doing good for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary" (Gal 6:9-10).

"Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil (kopos) is not in vain in the Lord." (1Cor 15:58).

John MacArthur is undoubtedly one of the greatest modern expositors of God's Word and so it is interesting to read his comments on this section...he writes

"People sometimes tell me that I work too hard. But compared to Paul, I am not working hard enough. It saddens me to hear of pastors or seminary students who are looking for an easy pastorate. When I was a young pastor, a lady (Who did not know I was a pastor) advised me to go into the ministry. When I asked her why, she replied that ministers did not have to do anything and could make lots of money....No one can successfully serve Jesus Christ without working hard. Lazy pastors, Christian leaders, or laymen will never fulfill the ministry the Lord has called them to. Striving...refers to competing in an athletic event. Our English word agonize is derived from it. Success in serving the Lord, like success in sports, demands maximum effort."

Paul uses the same combination of words (kopiao and agonizomai) in reminding Timothy that

"it is for this (disciplining one's self for godliness 1Ti 4:7-9) we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers."  (1Ti 4:10)

LIghtfoot comments that kopiao is

"used especially of the labour undergone by the athlete in his training and therefore fitly introduces the metaphor of agonizomenos"

A T Robertson writes that

"Paul toils on. . . . In order to present every man perfect in Christ, Paul undergoes labor like the athlete in training and even to the point of weariness, if needs be. . . . Every preacher is called upon to be a spiritual athlete like Paul (1 Cor. 9:25). The struggle is both inward and outward. . . . Jesus as God's Son had fullness of power in touch with His Father, and yet He sat in weariness (kopiao) on the curbstone of Jacob's well (John 4:6), slept for sheer weariness on the cushion in the stern of the boat (Mark 4:38). Even Jesus felt power gone out of Him when He labored for men. And the spiritual agony of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane is expressed with the same root by Luke in 22:44. Paul's struggle, like that of the true preacher always, "is carried on in proportion not to his natural powers, but to the mightily working energy within him" (Peake). The context does not make clear that energy is God's or Christ's. In Php 4:13 Christ is the one who gives Paul all strength. The context here rather calls for Christ. Here the "energy" works "in power," while Ephesians 3:20 it is "the power" that works in us. But in both instances it is divine power, not mere human energy. Paul is able to make superhuman struggles because he has the strength of Christ to help him. He wishes no men under his ministry with talents hidden in a napkin (Paul and the Intellectuals, pp. 69-72).

STRIVING ACCORDING TO HIS POWER WHICH MIGHTILY WORKS WITHIN ME: agonizomenos (PMPMSN) kata ten energeian autou ten energoumenen (PMPFSA) en emoi en dunamei:  (Ro 15:30 1Co 9:25-27 Php 1:27 1Ti6:12 2Ti4:7)  (1Co 12:6,12:11 Eph 1:19 3:7,20 Php 2:13 Heb 13:21) (2Cor12:9,12:10)

"putting forth in the conflict all that energy which He inspires, and which works in me so powerfully.’ " (Lightfoot):

"engaging in a contest in which I am controlled by His energy which operates in me in power" (Wuest)

"striving according to his working that is working in me in power." (Young's Literal)

"striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me." (Amplified)

"striving with His strength that works powerfully in me" (CSB) 

"struggling according to his power that powerfully works in me" (NET)

"by His active energy which is mightily working in me" (Williams)

"contending according to His energy which is energizing itself in me with power." (Rhm),

"striving with all the energy that he stirs up in me so mightily" (Jewish NT)

"striving according to His working that is working in me in power." (Young's Literal)

I especially like the rendering in the Analyzed Literal Version: "striving according to His supernatural working, the One supernaturally working in me in power." Weymouth words it beautifully "To this end, like an earnest wrestler, I exert all my strength in reliance upon the power of Him who is mightily at work within me."

Striving (75) (agonizomai) (intensely struggling like an athlete, agonizing with great intensity, purpose and effort, fighting, competing in the games, contending with adversaries, struggling with difficulties and dangers, endeavoring with strenuous zeal to obtain something) (Click for an in depth word study of agonizomai).

The Greek agonizomai gives us our English words "agony", "agonize" -  to suffer agony, torture, or anguish. agonizomai is in the present tense which describes this as continuous effort on Paul's part. The middle voice of the verb indicates that Paul initiated the striving and participated in the results or effects.

Agonizomai  means to strive or contend for victory in the public athletic games, to wrestle as in a prize contest, straining every nerve to the uttermost towards the goal.

Paul uses this word in his exhortation to the Corinthians writing

"And everyone who competes (agonizomai) in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable." (1Cor 9:25)

The root word is agon which Vincent notes referred

"originally to an assembly, a place of assembly, especially for viewing the games. Hence the contest itself, the word being united with different adjectives indicating the character of the contest, as of horses; gymnastic; of music, where the prize is a brazen shield, etc. Generally, any struggle or trial."

One thing is clear -- spiritual "exercise" is not easy!  A Christian who wants to do the work of His Lord must not approach it with a half-hearted attitude for to excel must really work at it, by the grace of God and to the glory of God. This was no light work Paul refers to, no pleasurable pastime but a work that made a demand upon every faculty and every moment.

Why is Paul willing to strenuously strive and struggle? Eadie writes that

"When we reflect upon the motive—the presentation of perfect men to God, and upon the instrument—the preaching of the cross, we cease to wonder at the apostle's zeal and toils. For there is no function so momentous,—not that which studies the constitution of man, in order to ascertain his diseases and remove them; nor that which labours for social improvement, and the promotion of science and civilization; nor that which unfolds the resources of a nation, and secures it a free and patriotic government—far more important than all, is the function of the Christian ministry. What in other spheres is enthusiasm, is in it but sobriety. Barnes well says—“In such a work it is a privilege to exhaust our strength; in the performance of the duties of such an office, it is an honour to be permitted to wear out life itself.” This is a truth which every minister of Christ (remembering all believers are "in ministry") needs to recall frequently to spur them to press on.

Wuest discussing the meaning of agonizomai adds that

"The first-century Roman world was acquainted with these Greek athletic terms, for the Greek stadium was a familiar sight, and the Greek athletic games were well known in the large cities of the Empire. The Bible writers seized upon these terms, and used them to illustrate in a most vivid manner, the intensity of purpose and activity that should characterize both Christian living and Christian service. The present day football game is a fair example of the terrific struggle for supremacy in the Greek athletic games that was commonly seen by the first-century stadium crowds. The point is that if we Christians would live our Christian lives and serve the Lord Jesus with the intensity of purpose and effort that is put forth in a football contest, what God-glorifying lives we would live." (Erdmans) 

 Would it be true of all of us at the end of our "race" that we would be able say with confidence like Paul "I have fought (agonizomai) the good fight (agon), I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" (See note 2 Timothy 4:7) or as Wuest paraphrases his words

"The desperate, straining, agonizing contest marked by its beauty of technique, I, like a wrestler, have fought to the finish, and at present am resting in its victory. My race, I, like a runner, have finished, and at present am resting at the goal. The Faith committed to my care, I, like a soldier, have kept safely through everlasting vigilance, and have delivered it again to my Captain”. (Erdmans) 

Lord, may his tribe increase in our day. Amen.

Paul was continually striving, contending, fighting, wrestling, straining every nerve to the uttermost to reach the goal. This pictures our task as one calling for us to persevere amid great temptation and intense opposition.

Agonizomai was used in reference to the athletes who took part in the marathon races, willing to undergo the most self-denying discipline to be at their fittest, thereby hoping to win an earthly crown. The athlete engaged in the intense competition of the games even to the point of physical agony. What a commentary this is upon first-century Christianity. What intense lives these early Christians must have lived. With what desperate earnestness they must have worked for the Lord. What fervor and intensity there must have been in their prayers.

Paul reminds the Colossian saints of a worthy example of one who had strived to present them complete, specifically making mention of 

"Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ...always laboring earnestly (agonizomai) for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God." (See note Colossians 4:12)

As someone has well said

"If church members today put as much concern and enthusiasm into their praying as they did into their baseball games or bowling, we would have revival! "

"According to" is the little Greek preposition kata, which does not mean ''out of'' but in proportion to God's infinite, inexhaustible supply.  Let's illustrate the meaning by imagining you are a billionaire and you give me one dollar. You have given me "out of" your riches like Mr. Rockefeller who used to give his caddy a dime! Now on the other hand if you give me a million dollars, you have given me according to your riches. The first gift is a portion while the second is a proportion. Annie Johnson Flint's beautiful poem put to music captures the idea...

Where does the energy come from? This amazing apostle, with his indefatigable journeying night and day, through shipwreck and hardship of every kind, working with his hands, laboring, traveling up and down the length and breadth of the entire Roman empire, is ceaseless in his endeavors...but he is ever conscious that it was only as he was empowered by the Lord that he was able to serve Him at all. Are you conscious of your total dependence on Him for supernatural power and that you are but a "branch" and Christ Alone is the Vine and that apart from Him you can do nothing that will last throughout eternity? (cf Jn 15:5)

Ray Stedman writes

"Christ in you! The hope of glory. Now that is why I say if Christians would begin to understand what it is that God has made available to them, they would never be the same again. We would never have to plead with people in the church to take on needed enterprises, ministries, or teaching Sunday School. We would not be met with the excuse, "Oh, I just don't have the strength to do it. I don't have the energy." You see, here is a source of energy, Paul says, that is constant and consistent and which flows through him, created by the Spirit of God indwelling him. As he saw the task, he moved to meet it with energy which God gave. That is resurrection power.

"According to His power which mightily works within me" is more literally "the working (energeia = noun) of Him Who is working (energeo = verb) in me in power (dunamis)".  "Struggling according to his energy which energizes me in power".

Two different words for power are used. NKJV translates it "striving according to His working which works in me mightily." Note the play on words describing God's "working works" or "energy energized" in Paul! What an awesome description of a saint's sufficient supply to carry out the stretching, strenuous ministry of presenting men complete in Christ.

Power (1753) (energeia from en = in + érgon = work) describes working, efficiency or active, effective power and is exclusively a Pauline word used only to describe superhuman power, whether of God or of the devil; of God. Energeia is found in the classic Greek writings first in Aristotle describing diabolic influences. And so in In Hellenism, as in Philo, the word group energeia/energeo (noun/verb) is used of cosmic or physical forces at work in man or the world around.

Energeia is found 8 times in the NAS (Ephesians 3x; Philippians; Colossians 2x; 2 Thessalonians 2x) and is translated - activity, 1; exertion, 1; influence, 1; working, 4. The KJV translates the word with a slightly different flavor - effectual working, 2; operation, 1; strong, 1; working, 4. Energeia is not used in the Septuagint (not counting the Apocrypha where there are 8 uses).

Energeia is found in the classic Greek writings first in Aristotle describing diabolic influences. And so in In Hellenism, as in Philo, the word group energeia/energeo (noun/verb) is used of cosmic or physical forces at work in man or the world around.

Energeia, for example, is describes God’s power in raising Christ, Paul instructing the Colossian saints that they have

"been buried with Him (Christ) in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the (supernatural) working (energeia) of God, Who raised Him from the dead" (See note Colossians 2:12).

In Philippians 3:21 (note) our Lord Jesus Christ "will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the (supernatural) exertion (energeia) of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself".

Energeia describes Satan's supernatural power Paul recording that the "Antichrist" or "lawless one"

"is the one whose coming is in accord with the (supernatural) activity (energeia) of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved." (2Thes 2:9-10)

The other uses of energeia in the NT are found in:

Ephesians 1:19 (note) and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might." In context energeia here speaks of the energy put forth or effectual power of God that was active in the resurrection of Christ.

Ephesians 3:7 (note)  of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.

Ephesians 4:16 (note)
  from whom the whole