1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT - against Satan, the world, and the flesh. Birks, This letter was written from Corinth, where national games recurred at stated seasons, which accounts for the allusion here, as 1 Corinthians 9:24. Contrast "strifes of words" (1 Timothy 6:4). Compare 1 Timothy 1:18. The "good profession" is connected with the "good fight" (Psalms 60:4). LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE - the crown or gar...

12_Fight the good fight of faith _In the next epistle he says, “He who hath become a soldier doth not entangle himself with matters inconsistent with his calling.” (2 Timothy 2:4.) In like manner, in order to withdraw Timothy from excessive solicitude about earthly things, he reminds him that he must “fight;” for carelessness and self-indulgence arise from this cause, that the greater part wish to serve Christ at ease, and as if it were pastime, whereas Christ calls all his servants to warfare. For the purpose of encouraging him to fight such a fight courageously, he calls it _good; _that is, successful, and therefore not to be shunned; for, if earthly soldiers do not hesitate to fight, when the result is doubtful, and when there is a risk of being killed, (126) how much more bravely ought we to do battle under the guidance and

11-16 It ill becomes any men, but especially men of God, to set their hearts upon the things of this world; men of God should be taken up with the things of God. There must be a conflict with corruption, and temptations, and the powers of darkness. Eternal life is the crown proposed for our encouragement. We are called to lay hold thereon. To the rich must especially be pointed out their dangers and duties, as to the proper use of wealth. But who can give such a charge, that is not himself above the love of things that wealth can buy? The appearing of Christ is certain, but it is not for us to know the time. Mortal eyes cannot bear the brightness of the Divine glory. None can approach him except as he is made known unto sinners in and by Christ. The Godhead is here adored without distinction of Persons, as all these things are properly spoken, whether of the Father, the Son, or the Holy...

Verse 12. _FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH_] "Agonize the good agony." Thou hast a _contest_ to sustain in which thy honour, thy life, thy soul, are at stake. Live the Gospel, and defend the cause of God. Unmask hypocrites, expel the profligate, purge and build up the Church, live in the spirit of thy religion, and give thyself wholly to this work. _LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE_] All this is in allusion to the exercises in the public Grecian games: Fight, conquer, and seize upon the prize; carry off the crown of eternal life! _WHEREUNTO THOU ART ALSO CALLED_] The allusion to the public games is still carried on: Thou hast been _called_ into this palaestra; thou hast been _accepted_ as one proper to enter the lists with any antagonists that may offer; in the _presence of_ _many witnesses_ thou hast taken the necessary _engagements_ upon thee, and submitted to be governed by the laws o

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH - The noble conflict in the cause of religion; see the notes on Ephesians 6:10; compare notes on 1 Corinthians 9:26. The allusion is to the contests at the Grecian games. LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE - As the crown of victory that is held out to you. Seize this as eagerly as the competitors at the Grecian games laid hold on the prize; see the notes on 1 Corinthians 9:25. WHEREUNTO THOU ART ALSO CALLED - That is, by the Spirit of God, and by the very nature of your profession. God does not “call” his people that they may become rich; he does not conver

EXPOSITION 1 TIMOTHY 6:1 _Are servants _for _servants as are_,_ _A.V.;_ the doctrine _for _his doctrine_,_ _A.V. SERVANTS; literally, _slaves_._ _That slaves formed a considerable portion of the first Christian Churches may be inferred from the frequency with which their duties are pressed upon them (see 1 Corinthians 7:21; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:11,...

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH,.... The apostle suggests to Timothy, that he had other business to do than to mind the things of this world; his life was a state of warfare; he was a soldier, and was not to entangle himself with the things of this life; he had many enemies to engage with, as Satan, and his principalities and powers; sin, and the lusts of the flesh; the world, and the men of it, and a great fight of afflictions to endure with them; as also false teachers, with, whom particularly he was to fight the good fight of faith, that so the truth of the Gospel, which they resisted, might continue with the saints. This fight is called "the fight of faith"; partly in opposition to the law, and to מלחמתה של תורה, "the fight", or "war of the law" the Jews r so much talk of; and in which the false teachers, in the apostle's time, were so much engaged, and against whom the apostles set th...

CHAPTER 6 _ 1. Concerning servants (1 Timothy 6:1)_ 2. Concerning those who oppose (1 Timothy 6:3) 3. Concerning contentment and temptation (1 Timothy 6:6) 4. The final exhortations (1 Timothy 6:11) 1 Timothy 6:1 Servants (slaves) who had pagan masters were to count them worthy of all honor, and thus bear a good testimony for the truth, that the Name of God and the teaching be not blasphemed. Theirs was a blessed opportunity to show forth the excellencies of Him whom they served, and who once served

(_b_) 1 TIMOTHY 6:11. TIMOTHY'S CALL TO FIDELITY. In contrast with this quest for worldly profit (1 Timothy 6:5; 1 Timothy 6:9 f.) Timothy must pursue the Christian virtues. Let him, in life's arena (for the metaphor _cf._ 2 Timothy 4:7; 1 Corinthians 9:24, Php_3:12), continuously wage faith's fair contest, and so obtain the victor's garland, eternal life (James 1:12;...

HOW TO BE A SLAVE AND A CHRISTIAN (1 Timothy 6:1-2)...