📖 Biblical Definition
Paul's dual command-and-confession: command in 1 Timothy 6:12 to Timothy ("Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life") and confession in 2 Timothy 4:7 about his own ministry as it ended ("I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith"). The Christian life as athletic-military combat over a long span; the goal is not winning every battle but persevering to the end.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Paul's command + confession: persevere as a good combatant of faith.
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Paul's dual usage of agōn (the contest, struggle, fight): a command to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:12 ("Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life") and a confession in 2 Timothy 4:7 about his own completed ministry ("I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith"). The Greek agōn covers both athletic contest and military combat. The Christian life is conceived as a long combat over many decades, with multiple battles, in which the goal is not winning every encounter but persevering to the end. The crown of righteousness (2 Tim 4:8) awaits those who finish.
📖 Key Scripture
1 Timothy 6:12 — "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."
2 Timothy 4:7-8 — "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day."
Hebrews 12:1 — "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often shrinks from combat-imagery; Paul leans into it deliberately.
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The age uneasy with combat-language often softens "fight the good fight" to mild encouragement. Paul leans into it: combat, contest, struggle, race, crown. The Christian life requires fighters — not against flesh and blood (Eph 6:12) but against principalities, powers, the world, the flesh, the devil. The ones who persevere finish; the others fall short.
Recover the combat: there is a fight. It is good. Fight it.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek ton kalon agōna agōnizou.
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['Greek', 'G73', 'agōn', 'contest, fight']
['Greek', 'G75', 'agōnizomai', 'to fight, contend']
['Greek', 'G2570', 'kalos', 'good, noble']
Usage
"Fight the good fight of faith."
"I have fought a good fight; I have finished."
"Persevere; the crown is for finishers."