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Robertson's Word Pictures of the NT

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight

(τον καλον αγωνα ηγωνισμα). Perfect middle indicative of αγωνιζομα, a favourite figure with Paul (1 Corinthians 9:25; Colossians 1:29), with the cognate accusative αγωνα (Philippians 1:27; Philippians 1:30, etc.). The "fight" is the athletic contest of his struggle for Christ.I have finished the course

(τον δρομον τετελεκα). Perfect active indicative of τελεω. He had used this metaphor also of himself to the elders at Ephesus (Acts 20:24). Then the "course" was ahead of him. Now it is behind him.I have kept the faith

(την πιστιν τετηρηκα). Perfect active indicative again of τηρεω. Paul has not deserted. He has kept faith with Christ. For this phrase, see Revelation 14:12. Deissmann (Light, etc., p. 309) gives inscriptions in Ephesus of a man who says: "I have kept faith" (την πιστιν ετηρησα) and another of a man of whom it is said: "He fought three fights, and twice was crowned."

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See also 2 Timothy 4:7 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 7. _I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT_] Every reader will perceive that the apostle, as was his very frequent custom, alludes to the contests at the Grecian games: Τον αγυνα τον καλον ηγωνισμαι· _I hav...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT - The Christian life is often represented as a conflict, or warfare; see the notes on 1 Timothy 6:12. That noble conflict with sin, the world, the flesh, and the devil, Paul...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    IV. THE LAST WORDS OF THE APOSTLE CHAPTER 4 _ 1. The last charge (2 Timothy 4:1)_ 2. His last testimony (2 Timothy 4:6) 3. The last personal messages (2 Timothy 4:9)...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    (_c_) 2 TIMOTHY 4:1. TIMOTHY'S DUTY IN THE CRISIS. Threatened with such opposition (2 Timothy 3:1) and strengthened by such safeguards (2 Timothy 3:10), Timothy must persistently teach the _positive t...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    For my life has reached the point when it must be sacrificed, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight: I have completed the course: I have kept the faith. As for what remai...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    PAUL'S GROUNDS OF APPEAL (2 Timothy 4:1-5)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    FOUGHT. Greek. _agonizomai_. See Luke 13:24. A. the. FIGHT. Greek. _agon._ See Phil. I. so and compare 1 Timothy 6:12. FINISHED. Greek. _te leo._ Compare App-126 2 Timothy 1:2,

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _a good fight_ THE GOOD FIGHT, see 1 Timothy 6:12, where the metaphor is discussed; the second clause here, -I have finished the course," certainly suggests that the foot-race is to be the chief thoug...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    The last appeal. The same warning. The old example The three main thoughts (see 2 Timothy 3:1) recur, but with added intensity, in this last brief _appeal_, and _warning_, and _example_. Similarly in...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    -I have appealed to you by the _warning_of the evil times and teachers that will be: I appeal to you now by the _example_of the good times and the good teacher that have been. Let my mantle fall on yo...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    THE END OF THE APOSTLE’S COURSE...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΤῸΝ ΚΑΛῸΝ�. The rec. text has τὸν�, the MS. authorities being divided almost as in the previous verse. 7. ΤῸΝ ΚΑΛῸΝ�. See the critical note, and cp. the note on 1 Timothy 6:12, where the metaphor is d...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΆΓΩΝ (G73) борьба, битва, ΉΓΏΝΙΣΜΑΙ _perf. ind. med. (dep.) от_ ΑΓΩΝΊΖΟΜΑΙ (G75) бороться, прилагать усилия (РАМ, 182ff). _Perf._ передает значение завершенности (Guthrie) и наличия результатов в нас...

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 2259 A CHRISTIAN’S DYING REFLECTIONS 2 Timothy 4:7. _I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousne...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, &C.— _I have maintained the good combat, I have finished my race,_ &c. The apostle here again alludes to the _agonistic games._ See 1 Timothy 6:12. Two of the expressions i...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    PART THREE _Testimony 4:6-18_ 1. ASSURANCE IN THE FACE OF DEATH 2 Timothy 4:6-8 _TEXT 4:6-8_ 6 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come. 7 I have fought the good fight,...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 'I have striven the good strife of faith' [ eegoonismai (G75)], includes, besides a fight, any competitive contest-ex....

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    12 This is a crucial test of our true state. Are we suffering persecution? If not, are we in earnest in our will to live devoutly in Christ Jesus? All who tread this path will be persecuted. Paul hims...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    ST. PAUL'S LAST MESSAGES AND COUNSELS 1-8. The Apostle, knowing that his days are fast drawing to a close, exhorts Timothy to increased diligence and earnestness in his teaching, in view of the immin...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    A GOOD FIGHT] rather, 'I have contested the good contest.' The reference is not to a battle, but to a contest in the games: cp. 1 Corinthians 9:25. KEPT THE FAITH] 'The faith' is here regarded as a pr...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    HOW WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER TO DO GOD’S WORK 2 TIMOTHY _IAN MACKERVOY_ CHAPTER 4 *PREACH THE *GOSPEL AND TEACH THE TRUTH (4:1-5) V1 This command I give to you with God and the *Lord Jesus...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT. — More accurately, more forcibly rendered, _the good fight._ St. Paul changes the metaphor, and adopts his old favourite one, so familiar to all Gentile readers, of the ath...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 35 THE PARADOXICAL EXULTATION OF THE APOSTLE-HIS APPARENT FAILURE AND THE APPARENT FAILURE OF THE CHURCH-THE GREAT TEST OF SINCERITY. - 2 Timothy 4:5 ST. CHRYSOSTOM tells us that this passage...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    τὸν καλὸν ἀγῶνα ἠγώνισμαι : See note on 1 Timothy 6:12. The following τὸν δρόμου, κ. τ. λ., makes this reference to the games hardly doubtful. τὸν δρόμον τετέλεκα : _cursum consummavi_ (Vulg.). What h...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    I solemnly charge you, in view of the coming judgment, to be zealous in the exercise of your ministry while the opportunity lasts, while people are willing to listen to your admonitions. Soon the craz...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    THE VICTOR'S FINAL CHARGE 2 Timothy 4:1 To the end Paul held to the appearing of Jesus, though he might not live to see it; and it was to precede and usher in the coming of the Kingdom. The world of...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    As the result of these charges, the apostle shows what Timothy's attitude must be toward those over whom he has oversight. There are four things which he must do. "Preach the Word," "reprove," "rebuke...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    PAUL'S FAREWELL ADDRESS As Paul saw the end of his life approaching, he said, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,” which is an allusion to the drink offering poured out on the alta...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _I have fought a good fight, or strived a good strife. [6] The Latin and Greek may signify any kind of striving for a prize. --- I have kept the faith, not only the Christian faith, the been faithful...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (6) For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. (7) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (8) Henceforth there is laid up for me...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    Turning to the SECOND EPISTLE, we find that, although there is the same grand truth of the Saviour God maintained, the state of things had become sensibly worse, and the hour for the apostle's departu...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _KEEPING THE FAITH_ ‘I have kept the faith.’ 2 Timothy 4:7 This was the satisfaction on which St. Paul’s mind rested when he contemplated the close of his earthly work. I. WHEN ST. PAUL SAID THAT...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    7_I have fought the good fight _Because it is customary to form a judgment from the event, Paul’s fight might have been condemned on the ground that it did not end happily. He therefore boasts that it...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Does this perfect and supreme authority of the scriptures set aside ministry ? By no means; it is the foundation of the ministry of the word. One is a minister of the word; one proclaims the word rest...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT,.... The fight of faith; the same as in 1 Timothy 6:10 1 Timothy 6:10: I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, or race; the race of life set before him, his course of years; his days w...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    I have fought a good fight, I have finished _my_ course, I have kept the faith: Ver. 7. _I have fought a good fight_] The nearer anything is to the centre, the more strongly and swiftly it moveth. Th...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _But watch thou_ Both over thyself and flock, and withstand the beginnings of all these corruptions; let thy mind be awake and watchful; _in all things_ Whatever thou art doing, let this be thy earnes...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    A GOOD FIGHT; more literally, the good fight; that, namely, prescribed to me by my Lord. The word in the original is one used of the Grecian games. Compare 1 Corinthians 9:26; 1 TIMOTHY 6:12. FINISHED...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    PAUL'S FIGHT AND VICTORY....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH;...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    The apostle writes this last chapter with a deepening sense in his soul of the nearness of his martyrdom; and it is most precious to observe how the solemnity of his charge to Timothy is mingled with...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    6-8 The blood of the martyrs, though not a sacrifice of atonement, yet was a sacrifice of acknowledgment to the grace of God and his truth. Death to a good man, is his release from the imprisonment o...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT; my life hath been a military life, but I have not fought the evil fights of ambitious or quarrelsome men: my fighting hath been the good and noble fight of faith, a fight w...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Origen Against Celsus Book VII Those whose piety is grounded on the teaching of Jesus also run until they come to the end of their course, when they can say in all truth and confidence: "I have fough...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    2 Timothy 4:7 fought G75 (G5766) good G2570 fight G73 finished G5055 (G5758) race G1408 kept G5083 ...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    2 Timothy 4:7. I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT. The Greek is wider in its range, and takes in every kind of contest _‘I have striven a good strife'_ would perhaps be nearer. The words that follow show th...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    2 Timothy 4:7 I. Look at the Christian life under the aspect of a fight. In a sense, this aspect of life is not peculiar to that of the Christian. Indeed, I dare to say, that, so far from the follower...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    2 Timothy 4:1. _I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word;_ We are not to use such strong...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Christ's faithful servant and the faithfulness of Christ to His own. CHARACTERS: God, Christ, Paul, Demas, Timothy, Luke, Mark, Tychicus, Carpus, Alexander, Prisca, Aquila, Onesiphorus, Era...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    2 Timothy 4:1. _I charge thee therefore before God preach the word._ Paul speaks here as a dying man, soon to appear before the throne of God and the Lamb. Soldiers must not sleep in war without a wat...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    I HAVE DONE MY BEST. The TEV translates this correctly. See note on 1 Timothy 6:12. Paul used symbolism from the Games. THE FULL DISTANCE. He did not _drop out,_ but went the full distance in the race...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    2 TIMOTHY—NOTE ON 2 TIMOTHY 4:7 I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT. Using athletic imagery (as is typical of Paul; see 1 Corinthians 9:24;...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 2 Timothy 4:6. FOR I AM NOW READY TO BE OFFERED.—R.V. “I am already being offered.” R.V. margin, “poured out as a drink-offering.” When the gaoler took the cup of heml...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION 2 TIMOTHY 4:1 _In the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus _for _therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, _A.V. and T.R.; _and by _for _at, _A.V. and T.R. I CHARGE THEE (διαμαρτύρομαι...

  • The Typology of Scripture by Patrick Fairbairn

    Ver. 7. _I have fought the good fight_ or more exactly, as at 1 Timothy 6:12, though one is unwilling to alter such familiar words, _I have maintained the good contest_ τὸν καλὸν ἀγῶνα ἠγώνισμαι refer...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Paul said to Timothy, I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 4:1), Hey, that's heavy duty, man, when you charge a person before God and before the Lord Jesus Christ. Laying a...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 9:24; 1 Timothy 6:12; 1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 1:14;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    I have fought a good fight [τ ο ν κ α λ ο ν α γ ω ν α η γ ω ν ι σ μ α ι]. For a good fight rend. the good fight. For the phrase, see on 1 Timothy 6:12. Comp. Philippians 1:27; Philippians 1:30;...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    LIFE'S BACKWARD AND FORWARD LOOK 2 Timothy 4:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS 1. There is a time when we should not look backward. (1) We should not look back with a heart of longing after the fleshpots of Egy...

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Old Testament