2 Timothy 4:7 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

I have fought a good fight, &c.— I have maintained the good combat, I have finished my race, &c. The apostle here again alludes to the agonistic games. See 1 Timothy 6:12. Two of the expressions in this verse are agonistic terms, and the third is perhaps an allusion to the citizen who was faithful as a magistrate, or in any public station, upon whom the Greeks used to bestow a crown for his fidelity and public usefulness. Unless this be admitted, the apostle starts from his figurative and beautiful representation in that expression, I have kept the faith; to which nevertheless he returns in the next verse, and carries it on throughout: but if this sense be admitted, the 8th verse follows with obvious and great propriety; for then the apostle does in effect say, that he expected, through divine grace, a crown upon both accounts, as a victor in the agonistic games, and as a citizen who had been faithful in a public station, and eminently useful to mankind.