John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. I have fought a good fight , etc.] 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 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-8 - The blood of the martyrs, though not a sacrifice of atonement, yet wa a sacrifice of acknowledgment to the grace of God and his truth. Deat to a good man, is his release from the imprisonment of this world, an his departure to the enjoyments of another world. As a Christian, and minister, Paul had kept the faith, kept the doctrines of the gospel What comfort will it afford, to be able to speak in this manner towar the end of our days! The crown of believers is a crown of righteousness, purchased by the righteousness of Christ. Believers have it not at present, yet it is sure, for it is laid up for them. The believer, amidst poverty, pain, sickness, and the agonies of death, ma rejoice; but if the duties of a man's place and station are neglected his evidence of interest in Christ will be darkened, and uncertaint and distress may be expected to cloud and harass his last hours.
Greek Textus Receptus
τον 3588 T-ASM αγωνα 73 N-ASM τον 3588 T-ASM καλον 2570 A-ASM ηγωνισμαι 75 5766 V-RNI-1S τον 3588 T-ASM δρομον 1408 N-ASM τετελεκα 5055 5758 V-RAI-1S την 3588 T-ASF πιστιν 4102 N-ASF τετηρηκα 5083 5758 V-RAI-1S
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. I have fought a good fight (ton kalon agwna hgwnismai). For a good fight rend. the good fight. For the phrase, see on 1 Tim. vi. 12. Comp. Philip. i. 27, 30; 1 Cor. ix. 25; Col. ii. 1; 1 Thessalonians ii. 2; Eph. vi. 11 ff.Course (dromon). Metaphor from the race-course. Only here and Acts xiii. 25;xx. 24; comp. 1 Cor. ix. 24; Gal. ii. 2; v. 7; Rom. ix. 16; Philip. ii. 16; iii. 12-14.
I have kept the faith (thn pistin tethrhka). The phrase N.T.o . For threin to keep, see on 1 Tim. v. 22; vi. 14.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:7 {I have fought the good fight} (ton kalon agwna egwnismai). Perfect middle indicative of agwnizomai, a favorite figure with Paul (#1Co 9:25; Col 1:29), with the cognate accusative agwna (#Php 1:27,30, etc.). The "fight" is the athletic contest of his struggle for Christ. {I have finished the course} (ton dromon teteleka). Perfect active indicative of tele". He had used this metaphor also of himself to the elders at Ephesus (#Ac 20:24). qen the "course" was ahead of him. Now it is behind him. {I have kept the faith} (ten pistin tetereka). Perfect active indicative again of terew. Paul has not deserted. He has kept faith with Christ. For this phrase, see #Re 14:12. Deissmann (_Light, etc._, p. 309) gives inscriptions in Ephesus of a man who says: "I have kept faith" (ten pistin eteresa) and another of a man of whom it is said: "He fought three fights, and twice was crowned."
