“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
One of the characteristic elements of Paul the Apostle’s New Testament letters involves his use of athletic illustrations. Because of this, it should come as no surprise to find that Paul employed a boxing reference in the passage quoted above.
In addition to what we read here in 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul also employed the imagery of a boxer in his first Biblical letter to Timothy as well as the New Testament book of 1 Corinthians. In that portion of Scripture, Paul used the example of a prizefighter to communicate the importance of qualities like focus, purpose, commitment, and dedication as they relate to a life that honors Christ…
“So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:26-27 NLT).
These analogies reflected Paul’s mindset as he took part in the spiritual contest of life. However, Paul’s best-known use of this imagery might be found in some of his last recorded words as he neared the final round of his earthly existence: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
This courageous statement reflected the attitude of a man who could face the prospect of eternity with the knowledge that he had invested his earthly life in service to Christ. Compare this fearless declaration to a different type of statement made by another person who, like Paul, was facing the end of his earthly existence: “What an account I shall have to give to God! How I should like to live otherwise than I have lived” (Phillip III, King of France, 1396-1467).
A survey of Paul’s life from the second half of the Biblical book of Acts demonstrates that he had been diligent, faithful and productive with the resources God had given him. Therefore, Paul could take an accurate assessment of his life as he neared the end of his time on earth and look back with the satisfaction of an athlete who had “given it his all.” In the words of one commentator, Paul had kept the faith, kept the doctrines of the gospel. What comfort will it afford, to be able to speak in this manner toward the end of our days!” (1)
(1) Henry, Matthew. “Concise Commentary on 2 Timothy 4”. “Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/mhn/2-timothy-4.html. 1706.