For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Timothy 4:6–8 NAS95).
The phrase "I have fought the good fight" looks like this in the Greek New Testament: “τὸν καλὸν ἀγῶνα ἠγώνισμαι.” "The good fight" comes first in the word order. "Fight" can refer generally to a "struggle against competition." I can then be applied in context to the gospel ministry, to service, emphasize the burden of "a great strain" or "in the face of great opposition." Anxiety and worry may be a part of this pressurized competition. The primary sense of the term refers specifically to the imagery of an "athletic competition" transferred to the "moral and spiritual realm of a competition, contest, or race" (BDAG). In the verse, this contest is described as "good." BDAG (i.e., a lexicon) elaborates further that the contest is "unobjectionable, blameless, excellent." This fight is worth the struggle.
The verb is similar in meaning and context to the noun "fight." It can mean to struggle, fight, compete, engage in contest, strain, wrestle. Here, Paul chose the form of the verb that allows him to say something extensive about his life and ministry: "I have fought." He draws a conclusion as he looks back over his experience in stewardship of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In many places in Scripture, the ministry of the gospel is viewed as a great battle or wrestling match between forces of goodness and grace versus the dark powers of the evil one.
At Tri-State Bible College, we are figuratively a gym, a training facility for this fight and for this kind of wrestling. We equip men and women with the tools that they need to be sound teachers and serious servants. They'll become the next shepherds, servants, stewards, and scholars in the church, and training is key for readiness.
The "Fight the Good Fight" Campaign takes aim at strengthening TSBC for this generational impact of raising up mature and healthy leaders, who are capable of handling the word of God and loving people in the midst of the struggle. Join us for the 2025–2026 FGF Campaign by giving your gift today.