What Does Paul Mean by “Fighting the Good Fight”?

[N]ot only elders and pastors but all Christians need to know the Bible well to do “sword fighting” with false teachers who distort the Bible (whether that be Mormons or Jehovah’s Witnesses or teachers in Bible-teaching churches who introduce teachings contrary to Scripture). We need to “be diligent to present ourselves approved before God, workmen . . . accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15; so also Titus 1:9). The Word of God is our “sword” in the fight (Eph. 6:17). Ironically, even Paul’s exhortation to “fight the good fight” has been adopted and twisted as a title for some books that have nothing to do with true spiritual warfare. If we persevere in “fighting the good fight,” which is an extended lifelong war campaign, we are being loyal to our divine King and helping to maintain the spiritual welfare of the kingdom in our churches. If we do so, we will prove our good character as spiritual and faithful patriots of the kingdom of God and will receive honor as a reflection of the only One who is truly worthy to receive “honor” (1 Tim. 1:17; 6:16), the One for whom we have fought.

Satan causes battles other than those involving false teaching, which we also must fight and persevere through “as good soldiers” of Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 2:3–4). We may get battered by Satan, the powers of evil, and the world, but we need to remember that if we are true soldiers of our King, He will give us the armor and armament to battle through the trials we encounter. These trials may include illness, loss of job, breakup of a family, or persecution in the workplace (and beyond). May our King give us grace to serve, persevere, and be loyal to Him in this lifelong war campaign until we meet Him face-to-face.