I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Paul near the end of his life: I have fought a good fight, finished the course and kept the faith.
KJV4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8Henceforth 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 unto all them also that love his appearing. 9Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 10For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
Probably Paul’s last letter, written from prison to encourage Timothy to stay faithful.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Read at many funerals: there is a time for everything under heaven, a time to be born and a time to die, and a time to mourn.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
The death of His people is never a small thing to God: it is costly and precious in His sight.
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Paul would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.