1 Timothy 1:18

στρατεύσῃ. So א*D2*; but στρατεύῃ (the reading of the rec. text) is supported by אcAD2cGKLP &c., and is preferred by Westcott and Hort.

18. ταὑτην τὴν παραγγελίαν. If the interval of 15 verses were not so long, it would be natural to take this as the apodosis of καθὼς παρεκάλεσά σε of 1 Timothy 1:3, but it seems better to suppose (see note in loc.) that the protasis there is never complemented, and that the sentence (quite in St Paul’s manner) breaks off unfinished. Chrysostom and many commentators explain ταύτην τὴν παραγγελίαν by what follows, ἵνα στρατεύσῃ, &c.; but this is not so much the matter as the motive of the charge. The reference is rather to the παραγγελία of 1 Timothy 1:5, the main subject of the Epistle; and this is confirmed by the close similarity of 1 Timothy 1:6; 1 Timothy 1:19.

παρατίθεμαί σοι. The same word is used in 2 Timothy 2:2; Timothy in his turn is to ‘commit’ to faithful men that which he has received; cp. 1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 1:14.

κατὰ τὰς προαγούσας ἐπὶ σὲ προφητείας. This committal of trust is according to the prophecies directed to thee previously. We have the phrase προαγούσης ἐντολῆς, ‘a foregoing commandment’ in Hebrews 7:18; but here ἐπὶ σέ requires the sense ‘leading up to’ (cp. Ezekiel 13:16). What the prophecies spoken of were it is impossible to determine with confidence. Hort (Christian Ecclesia, p. 181 ff.) put forward the hypothesis that St Paul’s action in the circumcision of Timothy at Lystra (Acts 16:3), and his choice of the young convert as an associate in the work of the Gospel, were prompted by prophetic voices which then led the way to Timothy. But, when we compare the language of 1 Timothy 4:14, in which the χάρισμα given to Timothy, διὰ προφητείας μετὰ ἐπιθέσεως τῶν χειῶν τοῦ πρεσβυτερίου, is mentioned, it seems more probable that in both this verse and 1 Timothy 4:14 the reference is to prophecies uttered at the ordination of Timothy. Cp. Clem. Alex. Quis Dives, § 42, ἕνα τέ τινα κληρώσων τῶν ὑπὸ τοῦ πνεύματος σημαινομένων. Thus the plural προφητείας would be explained by the number of the ‘prophets’ present. The description in Acts 13:2 of the ordination of S. Paul himself helps us in some measure to realise such a scene.

ἵνα στρατεύση κ.τ.λ. That in (the strength of) them (sc. the prophecies spoken over him) thou mayest war the good warfare. This is the purpose which St Paul has in view in recalling to Timothy the words of hope and promise used at his ordination. στρατεία is ‘militia,’ a campaign, and is not to be confounded with μάχη, which is but a single battle. The ὅπλα of this στρατεία are spoken of, 2 Corinthians 10:4. The idea, however, is quite distinct from that in 1 Timothy 6:12, ἀγωνίζου τὸν καλὸν ἁγῶνα (cp. also 2 Timothy 4:7), where see the note. Cp. 4Ma 9:23, where the exclamation is recorded of one of the martyr-brethren, ἱερὰν καὶ εὐγενῆ στρατείαν στρατεύσασθε περὶ τῆς εὐσεβείας.