4:7

In this verse, Paul uses three vivid clauses to summarize all the events of his life and ministry as an apostle. These phrases emphasize Paul’s perseverance.

The clauses are short and parallel in form. This makes them easy to remember and recite. If it is possible in your language, use a similar structure in each of these clauses.

4:7a

I have fought the good fight: Scholars have different opinions about the meaning of the Greek here.

(1) It means a fight. For example, the Berean Standard Bible says:

I have fought the good fight.

See New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Contemporary English Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, and New Century Version.

(2) It means a race. For example, Good News Translation says,

I have done my best in the race.

See also Revised English Bible.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

fought…fight: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fought and fight may refer to either athletic contests such as wrestling and boxing or to warfare. But here it is more likely that Paul was using a figure of speech that describes a fight in an athletic contest.

the good fight: A “good fight” is a metaphor. Paul meant that even though he had faced many difficulties while serving God, nevertheless he had always served God as well as he knew how to serve him. He had worked as hard as he could work. He had never quit.

4:7b

I have finished the race: This is a second figure of speech from sports. I have finished the race refers to completing a job by being committed and continuing to do the job even when it becomes difficult. It does not refer to finishing a job because one is strong and skillful. Paul referred to the way he had persevered in serving other people and Christ himself, because the Lord Jesus had called him to do that. When Paul wrote this, he knew that soon he would not be able to serve Jesus in this world because the Romans had sentenced him to die.

4:7c

I have kept the faith: In this clause, the faith means the basic teachings that Christians believe.

The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translated have kept has several meanings. Here it means, “to hold (something) firmly” or “to not lose (something).”

Part of Paul’s duty as an apostle was to make sure that the basic teachings of the faith were not “lost” or changed by the false teachers or other people who opposed the gospel. Throughout his ministry, Paul did not allow the true message to be changed to make it seem more acceptable to his hearers.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.