Loading…
VRSZ
This sets the art on your cards and whose commentary you read on each verse. You can change it later in settings.
Translation
Loading…
What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." Often, when I have taken the Apostle into my hands, and have considered this passage, I have been at a loss to understand why Paul here speaks so loftily: "I have fought the good fight." But now by the grace of God I seem to have found it out. For what purpose then does he speak thus? …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Why does Paul now exalt himself for this? He does not exalt himself, but consoles his disciple, so that he would not grieve for him, because Paul, having attained a good end, departs to receive his crown. Just as a father before death, consoling his son sitting before him and weeping, says to him: do not weep, child, we have lived well, we have raised trophies, the king shows us his favor, and you will be glorified by my deeds. …
Oecumenius
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. fought. Paul said this, not boasting: by no means, but consoling the disciple, as if he were going to receive crowns and rewards for good works, and as if he said: You ought rather to rejoice than mourn, that I achieve such an end. I have fought the good fight. For every struggle on behalf of Christ is good, even if it involves chains, or persecutions, or deaths. If therefore it is good, then you should accept it yourself. I have finished the race. …
Western Saints
Ambrose of Milan
For in a contest there is much labor needed. After the contest victory falls to some, to others disgrace. Is the palm ever given or the crown granted before the course is finished? Paul writes well when he says, "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; and not to me only, but to all who love his appearing."
Jerome
For I am of the opinion that no creature can be perfect according to true and consummate justice. Moreover, no one denies that one individual differs from another individual. I know that there are different measures of justice among men, that one individual is greater or lesser than another individual and that individuals who are not just in comparison with other individuals can still be called just according to their own standard and measure. …
Thomas Aquinas
Then when he says, "I have fought a good fight," he shows why he feels secure in the face of death. But it should be noted that the death of a just man is different from that of the sinner, because, as it is said: "when the wicked man is dead, there shall be no hope any more" (Prov 11:7). For since he put his hope in transitory things, he has no confidence in eternal things. But a just man puts his hope in eternal things and not in temporal things. …
Translation