THE “fight,” not a battle, but a game or public contest. “I have striven in the good game” would be a nearly literal rendering of the clause. The apostle had in mind the Greek games, which comprised foot-races, chariot-races, wrestling, boxing, and the pancratium or rough-and-tumble contest. The Olympian games were a spectacle for the whole Greek nation. Only freemen were allowed to be present, and of these only those who had not been branded with dishonor by the State, and who had not incurred the wrath of the gods. In addition, those who were about to contend, had to prove that they were of pure Greek blood, and had undergone the prescribed training. The contest was one in which there was a free field and no favor. The competitors were arranged by lot, and when the contest commenced, each man knew that the eyes of all free-born Greece were upon him, and that the silent, purple-robed judges were watching every success and every failure. The signal to commence was given by the judges, after an address in which they exhorted each competitor to struggle nobly and manfully. The only prize given to the victor was the crown of wild olive. Triumphal palms were also placed in his hands. But the victor won undying fame, in the records of Greece, not only for himself, but for his parents and his native place, whose names were proclaimed to all Greece. And when he returned home, he was welcomed with a triumphal procession, and with songs of victory. Perhaps there is a touch of sarcasm in Paul's words: “A crown of righteousness.” If we may trust Pausanias, competitors were often detected in attempts at bribery of fellow competitors, for the purpose of winning the crown for themselves. The crown which awaits Paul is not one gained in this manner. It is one which the just Judge shall give, who sees and knows all.—Sel.