the good strife I have striven (Young's Literal)

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 (Wuest)

I have fought long and hard for my Lord (TLB)

I have combated the good combat (Darby)

The glorious fight that God gave me I have fought (Phillips)

I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight (Amp)

I have striven the good strife

I have wrestled that good wrestling

MacArthur notes that in this verse Paul is giving us a summary "flashback" of his life in Christ as emphasized in two ways by the Greek text:

"First, the object of the sentence comes before the verb: "The good fight I have fought, the course I have finished, the faith I have kept. " Second, the perfect tense of the verbs speak of actions completed in the past with results continuing into the present. Paul looked back on his life without any sense of regret, sadness, or unfulfillment. Let's learn from his triumphant epitaph that we might do the same!"

Fought (75) (agonizomai from agon = conflict or the place of assembly for the athletic contests and then a reference to the contests which were held there)

Agonizomai was a familiar term in writings of both military and athletic endeavors and was used to emphasize the concentration, discipline, conviction, and effort needed to win in both arenas. It pictures a runner straining every nerve to the uttermost towards the goal. Agonizomai was used in secular Greek meaning to contend for the prize on the stage, both of the poet, etc., and of the actor. Agonizomai was used in secular Greek in the context of public speaking meaning to contend against, as law-term, to fight a cause to the last and  to fight against a charge of murder.

Agonizomai  means to exert oneself, to fight, to labor fervently, to strive (devote serious effort or energy = implies great exertion against great difficulty and suggests persistent effort), to struggle, to contend with an adversary - all of these actions picturing an intense struggle for victory. When we find that the gloves of the Greek boxer were fur lined on the inside, but made on the outside of ox-hide with lead and iron sewed into it, and that the loser in a wrestling match had his eyes gouged out, we come to some appreciation of what a Greek athletic contest consisted of and of the effort such a contest would motivate!

Agonizomai here in second Timothy 4 is in the perfect tense which indicates a past completed action with ongoing effect and thus pictures the contest as having begun with intensity (the moment Paul was saved the "bell rang" beginning "round one"!) and which persisted to the end of his life. The use of this verb implies hindrances in the development of the Christian life. Paul is reminding us that faithful Christian ministry is not easy. It takes courage and expenditure of great effort to run the Christian race successfully, albeit that effort ultimately being in the power God supplies (Php 2:12, 13, 4:11, 12, 13-see notes Ph 2:12; 13; 4:11; 12; 13; He 13:21-note;  Zech 4:6).

Paul's entire life had been given fully to the struggle even as Olympic athletes give their body, mind and spirit full to their specific sport. Paul thus engaged in a ceaseless, strenuous conflict, wrestling with Satan and his minions, with evil men (2Ti 2:17, 18, 3:5, 13, 4:14-See notes 2Ti 2:17; 18; 3:5; 13; 4:14), with "the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ep 6:12-note) and even his own flesh writing that "I buffet my body and make it my slave" (1Co 9:27-note

Should Timothy do any less?
Should we, dearly beloved of God?

Wuest's translation conveys the sense of the perfect tense

I like a wrestler have fought to the finish and at present am resting in its victory" (Comment: This was no small accomplishment, for Paul had encountered and overcome many obstacles along the way as described in 2Cor 11:23-28).

Agonizomai is used 8 times in NT in the NT (see below) and is translated: competes in the games, 1; fight, 1; fighting, 1; fought, 1; laboring earnestly, 1; strive, 2; striving, 1.

Luke 13:24 Strive (present imperative) to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

John 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm."

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

Colossians 1:29 (note) And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. (Click for more notes on agonizomai in this verse)

Colossians 4:12 (note) Epaphras (Paul's "beloved fellow bond-servant" - see note Col 1:7), who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring (present tense = continually) earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

1 Timothy 4:10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight (present imperative) the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith

Agonizomai was used in secular Greek in reference to literal fighting with weapons. Jesus alludes to the military meaning in His answer to Pilate's question about what had Jesus done,

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, (agonizomai) that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm. (Jn 18:36) 

If His kingdom were from the world, by now His followers would have assembled an army and fought to release Him. Note that Jesus did not say that He had no kingdom in this world, or that He would never rule on earth. He does have a kingdom in this world, for wherever there are people who have trusted Him and yielded to His sovereignty He is King and one day He shall return as "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Rev 19:16) to establish a righteous kingdom on earth (Da 7:13-28).

This word group is the source of our English words agony and agonize which means to experience pain so extreme as to cause writhing or contortions of the body, similar to those made in the athletic contests in Greece. To agonize also means to strain, to toil, to suffer extreme pain of body or mind or to suffer violent anguish. We begin to get a picture of what Paul meant when he said he had fought. Agonizomai emphasizes Paul’s tireless labor and his struggles against all manner of setbacks and opposition.

Agonizomai means to contend for a prize in the public games. Thus Paul reminded the Olympic minded Corinthians

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." (1Corinthians 9:25 note) (Comment: Holding tightly to liberties and rights that belong to the unregenerate nature is a sure way to ineffectively compete in the race of soul–winning)

Agonizomai was used in reference to the athletes who took part in the 26 mile marathon, willing to undergo the most self-denying, "agonizing" discipline to be at their fittest, thereby hoping to win an earthly crown.

Figuratively, agonizomai  speaks of applying one's faith in perseverance amid the continual fight against temptations and spiritual opposition. Paul instructs Timothy to

Fight (agonizomai) the good fight (agon) of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1Ti 6:12). (Comment: Agonizomai is in the present tense, imperative mood which commands a continuous effort. Paul is telling Timothy he must keep agonizing like an athlete or soldier, straining and giving his all to win the prize or win the battle)

Speaking again in the context of prayer, Paul uses a related word exhorting the Romans

to strive together (sunagonizomai - Amplified "earnest wrestling") with me in your prayers to God for me" (see note Romans 15:30)

Sunagonizomai was used in classical Greek describing the concerted action of a team of athletes in the Greek games and meant to contend along with or to share in a contest. What a "model" for a powerful prayer meeting!  Paul asks the Roman saints to wrestle, fight and contend with him in prayer against the opposition of the hosts of wickedness, contending with him as athletes would do with one another, with intensity of purpose and in perfect cooperation.  What a picture of prayer! So much of our praying is calm and comfortable, and yet Paul is making allusion to one exerting his spiritual muscles the way a Greek runner would exert himself in the Olympic Games. This does not mean that our prayers are more effective if we exert all kinds of fleshly energy. Nor does it mean that we must “wrestle with God” and wear Him out before He will meet our needs. Rather by using the picturesque verb agonizomai, Paul is teaching that our praying must not be a casual experience that has no heart or earnestness. We should put as much fervor into our praying as a wrestler does into his wrestling! 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!

The most dramatic picture of the meaning of agonizomai in the context of prayer, is found in Jesus' agony in Gethsemane where the related word agonia (from agon = context, but giving prominence to the pain and labor of the conflict) is used by Luke who describes Jesus as

being in agony (agonia) He was praying very fervently and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. (Lk 22:44)

Are you beginning to get a picture of the meaning of agonizomai?

Agonizomai also means to take pains, to wrestle as in an award contest, straining every nerve to the uttermost towards the goal. Jesus for example when asked to give His thoughts on the question of how many would be saved, made the matter personal, addressing not "how many" will be saved but whether or not "you" will be saved! He went on to instruct them to

Strive (agonize) (present imperative) to enter through the narrow door (Amplified adds "force yourselves through it"); for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. (Lk 13:24)

Agonizomai in this context signifies a great struggle against conflict. Don't be confused because Christ was not suggesting that we should or could work hard enough to merit heaven by striving for it. Scripture clearly teaches that salvation is solely by grace, not by works (Ep 2:8, 9-note).

Agonizing to enter the narrow door is a statement which reflects the costliness in terms of human pride, the sinner’s natural love for sin, and the world system and Satan’s opposition to the truth of the gospel which alone saves.

Good (2570) (kalos) (Click word study on kalos compared to agathos another word for good) does not refer to that which is superficial or cosmetic but to what is genuinely and inherently good, organically healthy, fit, useful, serviceable. Another Greek word, agathos is used generally for what is good and useful, especially moral goodness in relation to God who is perfect. Although kalos can be used as a synonym with agathos, kalos tends to stress more the aesthetic aspect, and stands for beautiful, fine, free from defects.

Kalos speaks of the intrinsically good, beautiful, noble and grand struggle Paul has waged for a prize of inestimable value (Php 4:8-note, Php 3:14-note) There are some struggles not worth engaging in, but here Paul says this was a worthwhile, noble fight.

When applied to acts, kalos means noble, praiseworthy. In secular Greek writings a suitable kalos was used to refer to a suitable harbour (Homer); a healthy body (Plato); pure, genuine gold (Theognis) and an unblemished sacrifice (Xenophon).  Kalos came to mean that which was aesthetically beautiful. Finally the meaning of kalos broadened to include the sense of morally good.

NIDNTT adds that

"in the course of the history of Greek thought, the concept kalos achieved an inclusive meaning, linked with taxis (order) and symmetria (symmetry). In this context kalos came to mean “the total state of soundness, health, wholeness and order, whether in external appearance or internal disposition. For the Greek., then, the term applies particularly to the world of the divine” (W. Grundmann, kalos TDNT III 537)." (Brown, Colin, editor: New International Dictionary of NT Theology)

J. C. Ryle, explains why the fight is good:

Let us settle it in our minds that the Christian fight is a good fight--really good, truly good, emphatically good. We see only part of it yet. We see the struggle, but not the end; we see the campaign, but not the reward; we see the cross, but not the crown. We see a few humble, broken-spirited, penitent, praying people, enduring hardships and despised by the world; but we see not the hand of God over them, the face of God smiling on them, the kingdom of glory prepared for them. These things are yet to be revealed. Let us not judge by appearances. There are more good things about the Christian warfare than we see (Holiness [Evangelical Press, 1989]). 

Fight (73)(agon = root of English agony, agonize) is the noun form of the verb (agonizomai) discussed above and speaks of the conflict or contest for victory in the Olympic and Pythian games. It refers to strife (bitter sometimes violent conflict. Exertion or contention for superiority. Struggle for victory), contention (a violent effort to obtain something; to strive or vie in contest or rivalry or against difficulties), a competition, a contest, a race, a struggle against opposition.

Agon - 5x in 5v - Phil 1:30; Col 2:1; 1 Thess 2:2; 1 Tim 6:12; 2 Tim 4:7; Heb 12:1. NAS = conflict(1), fight(2), opposition(1), race(1), struggle(1).

In secular Greek agon was used generally, any struggle, trial, or danger, as for example a "struggle for life and death." Other secular meanings include "a battle" and "an action at law, trial" (Liddell, H. Abridged from Liddell and Scott's Greek-English lexicon)

Agon is used 6 times in the NT (see below). It should be noted that the English words used to translate agon (and agonizomai) give us only a faint idea of the intensity of purpose and effort that is implied by the original Greek words.

Here are the six uses of agon...

Philippians 1:30 (note) experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Colossians 2:1 (note) For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf, and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,

1Thessalonians 2:2 (note) but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;

Hebrews 12:1 (note) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us

Vine adds that agon can also describe

the inward conflict of the soul, this inward conflict often the result of or the accompaniment of outward conflict... and implying a contest against spiritual foes, as well as human adversaries. (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson or Logos)

Agon also described a number of people brought together, a gathering or an assembly and thus was used to refer to actual place where the contest took place. 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. Paul seized upon the terms agon and agonizomai using them to vividly illustrate the intensity of purpose and activity that should characterize Christian living and service. Football and soccer matches are a good modern day picture of the terrific struggle for supremacy in the Greek athletic games that was commonly seen by the first-century stadium crowds.

Paul used agon to remind the saints at Philippi that they were not just spectators of this "good fight" but that they had "been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict (agon) which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me." (Php 1:29, 30-note) The enemy wanted them to think they were alone in the agonizing struggle but Paul reminds them of the hostile opposition he and Silas had faced when they were imprisoned in Philippi (see Acts16:16-40) and then reminds them that although he is in Rome, he is going through the same difficulties as they are. A change in geography seldom solves spiritual struggles, because human nature is the same wherever we go, and the adversary is everywhere. However, knowing that our fellow believers are also sharing in the conflict should be an encouragement for us to keep fighting the good fight.

Paul wrote to the saints of Thessalonica that

after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition (agon) (1Th 2:2-note)

By using agon Paul is referring to the agonizing life and death spiritual struggle. Beloved, when we were transferred by God's Spirit from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light and of God's beloved Son, we entered into the agon, the stadium, to engage the powers of darkness in spiritual warfare.  Paul fought the good fight, and so can we.

In sum, from these many examples one can see that Paul had indeed "fought the good fight" and could look back on his life with a sense of fulfillment. Motivated by Paul's example every believer should engage in this spiritual race with resolute commitment and maximum effort, fully convinced that eternity will prove that it was worth the extreme effort.

I HAVE FINISHED THE COURSE: ton dromon teteleka (1SRAI) ton dromon: (Jn 4:34; Ac13:25; 20:24; 9:24, 9:25, 9:26, 9:27 Php 3:13, 14 Heb12:1, 2)

I have come to the end of my journey (BBE)

My race, I like a runner have finished, and at present am resting at the goal (Wuest)

I have run the full distance (TEV)

I have run the race to the finish (NJB)

The course that I was set I have finished (Phillips)

Finished (5055) (teleo from telos = goal, consummation, the end or final purpose to which all the parts tend and in which they terminate) means to make an end of, to accomplish or to complete something. Teleo is in the perfect tense emphasizing the permanence of the finish. The finish line has been crossed and the results would last forever.

Teleo - 28 uses in NT - Matt. 7:28; 10:23; 11:1; 13:53; 17:24; 19:1; 26:1; Lk. 2:39; 12:50; 18:31; 22:37; Jn. 19:28, 30; Acts 13:29; Rom. 2:27; 13:6; 2 Co. 12:9; Gal. 5:16; 2 Tim. 4:7; Jas. 2:8; Rev. 10:7; 11:7; 15:1, 8; 17:17; 20:3, 5, 7

The idea Paul is conveying to Timothy and to all saints is not for us to merely end our life, but to bring our life (in Christ) to it's destined goal, bringing to completion the individually unique and specific "course" that God has laid for each of His children to run.

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FINISH WELL - In 1981 Bill Broadhurst entered the Pepsi Challenge 10,000-meter road race in Omaha, Nebraska. Ten years earlier, surgery for a brain aneurysm left him paralyzed on his left side. But on a misty July morning, he stood with 1,200 lithe-looking men and women at the starting line. The gun cracked. The crowd surged ahead. Bill threw his stiff left leg forward and pivoted on it as his right foot hit the ground. His slow plop-plop-plop rhythm seemed to mock him as the pack disappeared into the distance. Sweat rolled down his face, pain pierced his ankle, but he kept going. Six miles, two hours, and twenty-nine minutes later, Bill reached the finish line. A man approached from a small group of bystanders. Bill recognized him from pictures in the newspaper. "Here," the man said. "You've worked harder for this than I have." With those words, Bill Rodgers, the famous marathon runner, put his newly won medal around Broadhurst's neck, proclaiming him a winner.

The sight of Jesus hanging "helpless" on a cross looked like a tragic defeat. But three little words from His lips amounted to a victory shout: "It is finished!" Three days later the truth of His words would be known. The empty tomb confirmed His claim. He had finished His work by defeating death and atoning for sin.

The Christian life is not a race to see who comes in first, but an endurance run to see who finishes faithfully. Remaining faithful to the finish makes us true winners. —D J De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

We are judged by what we finish,
not by what we start.

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Finishing The Race - Haddon W. Robinson writes the following devotional on finishing well - It's easy to live a long life, at least in America. Look at the statistics: Out of every 100,000 persons, 88,361 reach 50 years of age, more than 70,000 people make it to 70, and almost 17,000 get to 85 or more. Staying around a long time, however, should not be our primary goal. Rather, we should be concerned with giving significance and value to all our years and not letting them end in shame and disgrace.

How we finish the race depends to a great extent on the pace we set along the way. Joseph Wittig remarked that when we write people's biographies we should start with their death, not their birth. After all, we have nothing to do with the way our life began, but we have a lot to do with the way it ends.

When Paul wrote 2 Timothy, he was in a Roman dungeon awaiting execution. He said, "I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand" (4:6). At that moment he could testify, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (v. 7).

We too can end the Christian race well, even if we began late, started slow, or faltered along the way. The secret is to stay true to Christ to the last moment. (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Just live your life before your Lord,
Rise to that higher, nobler plane--
With single eye His glory seek,
And you shall His approval gain.

He who puts God first will have happiness that lasts.

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Dennis DeHaan writes - In 1981 Bill Broadhurst entered the Pepsi Challenge 10,000-meter road race in Omaha, Nebraska. Ten years earlier, surgery for a brain aneurysm left him paralyzed on his left side. But on a misty July morning, he stood with 1,200 lithe-looking men and women at the starting line. The gun cracked. The crowd surged ahead. Bill threw his stiff left leg forward and pivoted on it as his right foot hit the ground. His slow plop-plop-plop rhythm seemed to mock him as the pack disappeared into the distance. Sweat rolled down his face, pain pierced his ankle, but he kept going. Six miles, two hours, and twenty-nine minutes later, Bill reached the finish line. A man approached from a small group of bystanders. Bill recognized him from pictures in the newspaper. "Here," the man said. "You've worked harder for this than I have." With those words, Bill Rodgers, the famous marathon runner, put his newly won medal around Broadhurst's neck, proclaiming him a winner.

The sight of Jesus hanging "helpless" on a cross looked like a tragic defeat. But three little words from His lips amounted to a victory shout: "It is finished!" Three days later the truth of His words would be known. The empty tomb confirmed His claim. He had finished His work by defeating death and atoning for sin.

The Christian life is not a race to see who comes in first, but an endurance run to see who finishes faithfully. Remaining faithful to the finish makes us true winners. —D. J. De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

We are judged by what we finish, not by what we start.

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The course (1408) (dromos from dramein, the aorist infinitive form of trecho = to run)

Dromos  refers to the course that one follows in a race, the racecourse or the place of running and figuratively refers to one's purpose in life and obligations in relation to it.

Dromos is used only two other times, the first describing John the Baptist -- "while John was completing his course...(here figuratively speaking of his life's purpose... which ultimately resulted in his beheading!)" (Acts 13:25).

The other use of dromos is found in Paul's affirmation of his determination to finish his course, declaring to the Ephesian elders

I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish (verb teleioo = complete, accomplish or bring to an end, to the intended goal) my course (dromos) and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:24)

What had been Paul's determined resolve in Acts 20:24 was now a definite reality - he had finished his course.

Our lives are represented as a course, or race that is to be run. The question we all need to ask ourselves is

Am I running well?

"Have I laid "aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight or baggage = anything that impedes disciplining myself for godliness 1Ti4:7,8), and the sin which so easily entangles" me so that I might be able to "run with endurance the race that is set before" me? (He 12:1-note)

Related Resource: The Heavenly Race by Thomas Watson

Many believers start out on the right course, but with time are diverted from the track God originally set them on. When we are born into God's kingdom our  race begins and our course is set and one day when we enter God's presence our race ends. The interval of our brief sojourn on earth is the time we each have to complete our set spiritual course. If we stray from our course we lose valuable time. The only way to complete our course within the allotted time is to stay on course! Don't be like the Galatians of whom Paul said

You were running well; who hindered (NIV "cut in on") you from obeying the truth? (Gal 5:7)

Since Christ is the perfect example of One who stayed on course, we are to fix "our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith" (He 12:2-note).

We need to heed the words of the track coach who said

If you have anything left ten yards past the finish line, you didn't give your all.

Each of our lives are "like flowering grass" and will soon "pass away" (Jas 1:10-note) which should motivate us like Paul to give no less than our best to the Lord. 

Vance Havner wrote that...

It was said of the great racehorse Man o' War: "Some horses led him at the first turn, some led him at the backstretch, a few led him at the far turn, but no horse ever led him in the homestretch." Some Christians run nobly at the start of the race, some do well halfway, but blessed is the man who makes a good finish. Paul's batting average was good to the end of the season: "I have finished my course" (2 Ti 4:7).

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Our Daily Bread draws an illustration from the famous Tour de France writing that - One of the most grueling of all bicycle races is the Tour De France. A contestant in that event, Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle, describes it in a National Geographic article titled, “An Annual Madness.” The race covers about 2000 miles, including some of France’s most difficult, mountainous terrain. Eating and drinking is done on the run. And there are extremes of heat and cold. To train for the event, Lassalle rides his bicycle 22,000 miles a year. What kind of prize makes people endure so much hardship and pain! $10,000? $100,000? No. It’s just a special winner’s jersey. What then motivates the contestants? Lassalle sums it up: “Why, to sweep through the Arc de Triomphe on the last day. To be able to say you finished the Tour de France.” What a tragedy to see this same motive lead to doping scandals in so many of the top tour riders (cf the Tour 2007 when the yellow jersey leader was actually removed from the race because of suspicious behavior. So beloved, don't bring about a scandal but instead finish well like Paul! Your reward is will far surpass -- in degree and in time -- the satisfaction and transient glory these top athletes receive for finishing a grueling bicycle race in Paris! No you won't sweep through the Arc de Triomphe on the last day, but you will stand at the bema or Judgment Seat of Christ  and be appropriately recompensed for what you have done during your earthly race, whether it is good or "bad" [bad is phaulos which means useless or worthless and does not refer to sin which some falsely teach - see 2 Cor 5:10 ]) (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

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A Worthy Effort - Have you heard about the "lawn-chair astronaut"? A 31-year-old truckdriver attached 40 large, helium-filled balloons to a lawn chair. Then, with a CB radio, an altimeter, a parachute, and a life jacket, he began his ascent into the "wild blue yonder." He also took a pellet gun so that he could shoot as many of the balloons as necessary when he was ready to come back to earth.

When he reached an altitude of 3 miles, he decided it was time to come down, so he started popping balloons with his gun. As he tried to land, he got caught in a power line. He later said, "My family used to think I was crazy. Now they want me to write a book, and my sister wants me to get an agent."

Well, I certainly would never encourage anyone to attempt a dangerous stunt like that. I can think of a number of other activities that will do more than simply get your name in the news. As a Christian, you must set out to do things that are worthy of the effort and risks. Your goal should be to fight the good fight, to finish the race, and to keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

Striving to attain spiritual goals brings personal satisfaction, imparts blessing to others, and offers an eternal reward (v.8). That's a worthy effort! — Richard De Haan

O Thou who died on Calvary
To save my soul and make me free,
I'll consecrate my life to Thee,
My Savior and my God! —Hudson

Is what you're living for worth dying for?

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Your Biography - When D. L. Moody was moving into old age, he was asked to grant permission for his biography. Moody refused, saying, “A man’s life should never be written while he is living. What is important is how a man ends, not how he begins.”

For better or worse, I have failed to follow that dictum. My biography has been published. Yet I agree with Moody that the way our lives end is the crucial test of authentic discipleship. Only if we remain in a steadfast relationship with the Savior can we be confident not merely of entering heaven, but of obtaining the victor’s crown (1Co 9:25 - note).

Paul was concerned about the possibility of being disapproved by his Lord (1Co 9:27). He was a redeemed believer who was serving the Lord, yet he feared that his service might prove to be wood, hay, and straw rather than gold, silver, and precious stones (1Co 3:12,13).

What will be the Lord’s appraisal of our lives? Will someone evaluating us be able to say honestly that we continued to bear fruit in old age? (Psalm 92:14 - see Spurgeon's note). Whatever vocation we pursue, with the help of the Holy Spirit we may be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1Corinthians 15:58). —Vernon C Grounds (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

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Living For Eternity - In a letter to his brother, agnostic Robert G. Ingersoll reflected on his life. He wrote, "I feel that we have passed the crown of the hill, and that the milestones are getting nearer and nearer each other, and now and then I catch glimpses of the great wall where the road ends. A little while ago, I pressed forward; now I hold back. In youth we woo the future and clasp her like a bride; in age we denounce her as a fair and beautiful liar and wonder at the ease with which we were duped. Pursuing that which eludes, gazing at that which fades, hoping for the impossible, regretting that which is, fearing that which must be, and with [nothing] worth having save the bliss of love. And in the red heart of this white flower there is this pang: 'It cannot last.'"

Compare those depressing words with the statement of Paul, who looked to the close of life with confidence because he knew Christ: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day" (2Tim. 4:7,8).

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Are you living for Him? Then you can anticipate a glorious future! — Richard De Haan

God leads us in the path of righteousness
For His name's sake, and as we walk that way
We know it leads at last to heaven above,
To which our souls will rise one glorious day. --Hess

What we go after here
determines where we go hereafter.

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Edwards offers these wise words of counsel to all disciples

"It is important to note that in both these metaphors THEY GET HARDER THE FARTHER ONE GOES. The farther one goes into the competition, the harder it is to keep competing wholeheartedly. So it seems to be for the disciple. Yet how much better it is to "burn out" than to "rust out." We must be wise enough to take time out for refreshing and renewal, but then continue to "work the works of Him Who sent us while it is day." Henry Martyn served in India for seven years before dying at the age of thirty-one. During this time, he translated the New Testament into three Indian dialects. Before he died, he wrote: (2 Timothy- Call to Completion)

And when I am dying how glad I shall be,
That the lamp of my life has been blazed out for Thee.
I shall not care in whatever I gave,
Of labor or money one sinner to save.

I shall not care that the way has been rough,
That Thy dear feet led the way is enough.
And when I am dying, how glad I shall be
That the lamp of my life has been blazed out for Thee.

I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH: ten pistin tetereka (1SRAI): (2Ti 1:14; Pr 23:23; Lk 8:15; 11:28; Jn 17:6; 1Ti 6:20; Rev 3:8, 3:10)

The Faith committed to my care, I like a soldier have kept safely through everlasting vigilance, and have delivered it again to my Captain (Wuest),

I have kept (firmly held) the faith (Amp),

I have guarded the faith (Weymouth).

Kept (5083) (tereo [word study]) describes the action of keeping one's eye upon something or someone to watch or guard.

The idea is to protect as the result of guarding.

One gets a good sense of the meaning of tereo in (Acts 12:5) where "Peter was kept (tereo) in the prison". Laid up and kept is the idea.

The perfect tense emphasizes that from the very inception of his new life in Christ he had guarded the treasure entrusted to him and that this attitude had persisted his entire life.

Jesus told His disciples to "keep (tereo) my commandments" (Jn 14:15) preserving them unbroken by careful watching. 

In like manner, Paul kept his eye upon "the faith" (see explanation below), carefully watching for those who would add to or subtract from the message of salvation, especially Judaizers (cf Gal 2:4 2:5), empty deceptive philosophical arguments (Col 2:8, 9, 10-see notes Col 2:8; 2:9; 10), mystical experiences (Col 2:18-note), asceticism (Col 2:23-note), etc. Paul contended earnestly for the integrity of "the faith" (Jude 1:3, 1:4).

The faith (4102) (pistis) is a specific phrase (definite article "the" plus "faith" - Click study of the phrase the faith) found some 38x in the NASB, some instances referring to saving faith in Christ exercised by an individual and necessary for salvation.

"The faith" - Acts 3:16; 6:7; 13:8; 14:22; 16:5; Rom 4:11f, 16; 14:22; 1 Cor 16:13; 2 Cor 13:5; Gal 1:23; 3:23; 6:10; Eph 1:15; 4:13; Phil 1:25, 27; Col 1:23; 1 Tim 1:2, 14; 3:9, 13; 4:1, 6; 5:8; 6:10, 21; 2 Tim 1:13; 2:18; 3:8; 4:7; Titus 1:1, 13; 3:15; Philemon 1:5; Jude 1:3; Rev 13:10

Approximately one-half of the 38 occurrences of the specific phrase "the faith" refer not to the ACT of believing but rather to WHAT is believed, the latter being the usage that the present context calls for. It follows that the specific meaning of this phrase is dependent on the context (the text that goes with the text in question).

The first use of "the faith" referring to the body of truth believed is recorded by Luke who writes that

the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith." (Acts 6:7)

Robertson remarks that here "the faith" means

the gospel, the faith system as in Gal 1:23; Jude 1:3, etc. Here the (phrase "the faith") means more than individual trust in Christ." (Robertson, A. T. Word Pictures in the New Testament)

In a similar use we read of

Elymas the magician (for thus his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. (Acts 13:8)

Paul and Barnabas "returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, (not in "their faith" but in the body of truth they had placed their faith in) and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:21,22)

Similarly we read that

the churches were being strengthened in the faith, (in the doctrinal truths concerning the gospel) and were increasing in number daily." (Acts 16:5)

The believers in Jerusalem only knew Paul by reputation and "they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” (Gal 1:23) This is another clear example of "the faith" referring to the objective body of truth that composed the gospel message which Paul preached ceaselessly (1Cor 1:17, 2:1 2:2).

Here is an illustration of a faithful man writing that...

At the height of WWII, Protestant theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was imprisoned for taking a stand against Hitler. Yet he continued to urge fellow believers to resist Nazi tyranny. A group of Christians, believing that Hitler was the Antichrist, asked Bonhoeffer, “Why do you expose yourself to all this danger? Jesus will return any day, and all your work and suffering will be for nothing.” Bonhoeffer replied, “If Jesus returns tomorrow, then tomorrow I’ll rest from my labor. But today I have work to do. I must continue the struggle until it’s finished.

Paul exhorts the Corinthians to

be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, (sound doctrine they had believed) act like men, be strong. (1Cor 16:13)

The faith is used in a similar way in Paul's first letter to Timothy (1Ti 3:9,4:1, 5:8, 6:10).

Jude writes that we are to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" which is clearly not a reference to the believers' faith but to the whole body of revealed salvation truth contained in the Scriptures, the objective truths which were to be believed, and the very truths which Jude warns were in danger of being distorted (Jude 1:3).

And so here in second Timothy 4, the faith Paul had guarded refers in general to the revealed truth in the Word of God and more specifically to the unchangeable message of the gospel which brings salvation.

Even in his final hours Paul is reminding Timothy that the faith or the gospel which saved Paul was the faith that he had faithfully, carefully watched over so as to protect its integrity. This was Paul's clear charge to his young disciple:

Guard what has been entrusted to you..." (1Ti 6:20).

Retain the standard of sound words" (2Ti 1:13-note).

"Guard through the Holy Spirit Who indwells us the treasure which has been entrusted to you" (2Ti 1:14-note).

Dearly beloved, we too as disciples of Christ, have been charged to guard the faith, the glorious treasure of the gospel in the midst of hostile opposition because it is the only message that begets salvation of sinners. 

Vine succinctly summarizes Paul's epitaph and draws out an important application for every saint to ponder:

There is no expression of regret about the past, no sighing for what might have been, no “longing, lingering, look behind.” As a warrior his warfare had been well waged; as a racer his course had been completed; as a guardian of the faith he had kept his treasure to the end. How goodly an example he set us! (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson or Logos)

Edwards adds that

It was Paul's past faithfulness to his divine task which made his present home going that much more attractive and satisfying. He knew that he had made the best possible use of his life and that he could appear before his King as "a workman who does not need to be ashamed." The end of the race can be fully savored only by the athlete who has fully strived. Only the disciple who has "fought the good fight" and "finished the course" can enter into the keen anticipation of stepping into the victor's circle, free from the sad regret of having run halfheartedly the greatest of all races." (2 Timothy- Call to Completion)

Live as you will wish to have lived after you are dead or as Adoniram Judson the great missionary to Burma said

The motto of every missionary, whether preacher, printer, or schoolmaster, ought to be 'Devoted for life.'

We too can end the Christian race well, even if we began late, started slow, or faltered along the way. The secret is to stay true to Christ to the last moment.

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Our Daily Bread has a wonderful illustration of the fruit of preaching the word and keeping the faith - A deacon rebuked an elderly preacher one Sunday morning before the service.

"Pastor," said the man, "something must be wrong with your preaching and your work. There's been only one person added to the church in a whole year, and he's just a boy."

The minister listened, his eyes moistening and his thin hand trembling.

"I feel it all," he replied, "but God knows I've tried to do my duty."

On that day the minister's heart was heavy as he stood before his flock. As he finished the message, he felt a strong inclination to resign. After everyone else had left, that one new boy came to him and asked,

"Do you think if I worked hard for an education, I could become a preacher—perhaps a missionary?"

Again tears welled up in the minister's eyes.

"Ah, this heals the ache I feel," he said.

"Robert, I see the Divine hand now. May God bless you, my boy. Yes, I think you will become a preacher."

Many years later an aged missionary returned to London from Africa. People spoke his name with reverence. Nobles invited him to their homes. He had added many souls to the church of Jesus Christ, reaching even some of Africa's most savage chiefs. His name was Robert Moffat,. the same Robert who years before had spoken to the pastor on that Sunday morning in the old Scottish church.

Our service for Christ may sometimes seem fruitless. We wonder if anything significant is happening. But if we are faithful, God will give the increase. —D. J. De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Faithfulness is God's requirement,
Fruitfulness is His reward.

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C H Spurgeon writes that...

It is my desire that death will perfect my entire career, that death will be the capstone on the building, so that nothing is needed to complete my life’s work. Is it this way with you? Suppose you were to die at this moment, would your life be complete? Or would it be a broken column snapped off in the center?

May our death not be one that needs flurry and hot haste to make us ready. Some die in that fashion, but they have so little grace as to be only “saved, yet so as through fire” (1Co 3:15). True Christians stand ready for death; they know the Bridegroom is coming soon and they keep their lamps well trimmed (Mt. 25:4). This is the way to live, and this is the way to die. Our home-going will be a simple matter if the Holy Spirit puts us in such a condition that the death angel may not catch us by surprise.

It must be sad to be taken unwillingly, plucked like an unripe fruit from the tree. The unripe apple holds fast to its place, and many hold hard to their riches. They cling so fondly to earthly things that it takes a sharp pull to separate them from the world. Ripe fruit, however, adheres only lightly. When a gentle hand comes to take it, it yields freely, as if willing to be gathered.

God made you unworldly. May He forbid you to cling so resolutely to things below, that your departure be not violent and full of terror.