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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Observe, I. How awfully this charge is introduced (2Ti. 4:1): I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom. Observe, The best of men have need to be awed into the discharge of their duty. The work of a minister is not an indifferent thing, but absolutely necessary. Woe be to him if he preach not the gospel, 1Cor. 9:16. To induce him to faithfulness, he must consider, 1. That the eye of God and Jesus Christ was upon... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Timothy 4:6-8

4:6-8 For my life has reached the point when it must be sacrificed, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight: I have completed the course: I have kept the faith. As for what remains, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which on that day the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me--and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing. For Paul the end is very near and he knows it. When Erasmus was growing old, he said: "I am a... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Paul goes on, still speaking in these vivid pictures of which he was such a master: "I have fought the good fight: I have completed the race: I have kept the faith." It is likely that he is not using different pictures from three different spheres of life, but one picture from the games. (i) "I have fought the good fight." The word he uses for fight is agon ( Greek #73 ), which is the word for a contest in the arena. When an athlete can really say that he has done his best, then, win or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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 he was now got to the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought a good fight - Every reader will perceive that the apostle, as was his very frequent custom, alludes to the contests at the Grecian games: Τον αγυνα τον καλον ηγωνισμαι· I have wrestled that good wrestling - I have struggled hard, and have over come, in a most honorable cause. I have finished my course - I have started for the prize, and have come up to the goal, outstripping all my competitors, and have gained this prize also. I have kept the faith - As the laws of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:7

Verse 7 7I have fought the good fight Because it is customary to form a judgment from the event, Paul’s fight might have been condemned on the ground that it did not end happily. He therefore boasts that it is excellent, whatever may be the light in which it is regarded by the world. This declaration is a testimony of eminent faith; for not only was Paul accounted wretched in the opinion of all, but his death also was to be ignominious. Who then would not have said that he fought without... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 4:1-8

The last charge. The words of this chapter have the peculiar interest which attaches to the last words of one who was prominent above his fellow men, and they have this striking character, that the apostle, knowing that the time of his departure was at hand, when the great work of his life must cease as far as he was concerned, was intensely solicitous that the work should go on after his death with uninterrupted course and with undiminished force. It is one of the features of the holy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Solemn charge to Timothy. I. CHARGED TO BE FAITHFUL IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS OFFICIAL DUTIES . 1 . Witnessing the charge. 2 . Particulars of the charge. These are given in rapid succession, without connecting words, by which there is gain in force. II. ARGUMENT DRAWN FROM A DISTURBED FUTURE . 1 . The intolerableness of sound doctrine. "For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine." The sound or healthful... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 4:6-8

The nearness of the apostle's death, and his prospects in connection with it. He urges Timothy to increased zeal on account of his own approaching departure. I. THE IMMINENCE OF HIS DEATH . "For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is at hand." 1 . Mark the calmness with which the apostle contemplates a violent death. There is no tremor, or hurry, or impatience in his last days. The language is singularly composed. He knew that Nero would soon put an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 4:7

The for a , A.V.; the for my, A.V. I have fought the good fight ; as 1 Timothy 6:12 ( τὸν ἀγῶνα τὸν καλόν ), meaning that, however honourable the contests of the games were deemed, the Christian contest was far more honourable than them all. The word "fight" does not adequately express by agora, which embraces all kinds of contests—chariot race, foot race, wrestling, etc. "I have played out the honourable game" would give the sense, though inelegantly. The course ( τὸν... read more

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