2 Timothy 4:7
What does 2 Timothy 4:7 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Timothy 4:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Timothy 4:7 means
Paul looks back over his ministry with integrity: he has fought the good fight, completed the race, and kept the faith. The metaphors suggest struggle, endurance, and loyalty. He does not claim perfection but faithfulness—he stayed in the contest God assigned, reached the finish line of his course, and guarded the deposit of truth entrusted to him. This is the ambition of every servant of Christ: not fame, but finishing; not novelty, but fidelity. Paul’s words teach that a life poured out for the gospel, through many trials, can end in quiet confidence, knowing that what mattered most has been held fast.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:
KJV
King James Version · 1611I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I have made a good fight, I have come to the end of my journey, I have kept the faith:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the good strife I have striven, the course I have finished, the faith I have kept,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I have fought a good fight: I have finished my course: I have kept the faith.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I have combated the good combat, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Context
Following the acknowledgment of impending death in verse 6, Paul summarizes his ministry. This provides Timothy with a living pattern that echoes the command in verse 5 to fulfill his calling. The finish in view here anticipates the reward of verse 8, where Paul’s confidence shifts from his race to the righteous Judge. The flow moves from faithful service (v. 7) to certain hope (v. 8), grounding Timothy’s perseverance not only in duty but also in the promised outcome for all who love Christ’s appearing.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24
Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain.
- 1 Timothy 6:20
O Timothy, guard that which is committed unto thee, turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called;
- Hebrews 12:1
Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
- Revelation 3:8
I know thy works (behold, I have set before thee a door opened, which none can shut), that thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name.
- Luke 11:28
But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
- 1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
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