2 Timothy 4:7

7 ¹I have fought the good fight, ²I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7 Meaning and Commentary

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought a good fight
The fight of faith; the same as in ( 1 Timothy 6:10 ) (See Gill on 1 Timothy 6:10):

I have finished my course,
or race; the race of life set before him, his course of years; his days were extinct, the grave was ready for him, and he for that; his last sands were dropping, and he was just going the way of all flesh; or else he means the course of his ministry, which he desired to finish with joy, and was now finishing; ( Acts 13:25 ) ( 20:24 ) he was now got to the end of his line, to Rome, where he was to be a martyr for Christ, ( Acts 23:11 ) so that he now concluded his work was done, and his warfare accomplished:

I have kept the faith;
by which he means, not so much the grace of faith, that was kept by Christ, the object, author, and finisher of it, and through his effectual grace and powerful intercession; but rather the profession of faith, which he had held fast without wavering; and chiefly the doctrine of faith, which was committed to his trust, which he had kept pure and incorrupt against all opposition; unless his faithfulness and integrity in the ministerial work should be thought rather to be intended; and which sense is favoured by the Syriac and Ethiopic versions, which render it, "I have kept my faith"; or have been faithful to my trust, as a good steward of the mysteries of God; not concealing and keeping back any thing that was profitable, but declaring the whole counsel of God; and now what remained for him was the crown of righteousness; and this he says for the comfort and encouragement and imitation of Timothy and others. The phrase seems to be Jewish; it is said ^F25 by the Jews, that he that does not keep the feast of unleavened bread, is as he who does not (atwnmyhm ryjn) , "keep the faith of the holy blessed God".

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 Zohar in Exod. fol. 51. 2.

2 Timothy 4:7 In-Context

5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

9 Do your best to come to me soon.

Cross References

• 1. 4:7 See 1 Tim. 6:12
• 2. 4:7 Acts 20:24