Fight the good fight

[timserving]

What is the meaning of "fight the good fight"?

[Dusky]

I believe its origin is religious.  There is a hymn "Fight the good fight with all thy might - God is thy strength and God thy right..."  The theme throughout is that however tough things might be, you'll get through because God is on your side.

 

I assume it means to fight for what is seen to be right in the eyes of God.

 

There are popular stories about brides-to-be coming in to church to the accompaniment of "See the Conquering Hero Comes" and going out to "Fight the Good Fight" but how much truth there is in them, I couldn't be sure...

[ChocClare]

Dusky is right, it is religious: from St Paul's second letter to Timothy: "I have fought the good fight, I have run the race to the finish, I have kept the faith" etc. etc. Paul is saying to Timothy that he (Paul) has done everything that God wanted him to do, and now all that is left for him is "the crown of righteousness reserved for me". I always thought Paul impossibly conceited in this bit, I must say, though who am I to judge?! The hymn "Fight the good fight" which Dusky talks about is presumably based on this bit of St Paul.