Verse 12
Our enemy opposes the Christian’s pursuit of godly ideals. Paul therefore urged his younger friend to plunge into this conflict. The goal is worth fighting for, and it requires fighting for. In so doing Timothy could obtain the reward that God wants to bestow on every believer: the fullness of eternal life (cf. John 10:10). Some Christians have eternal life but never really lay hold of it. Similarly some people who are alive physically never really enter into the fullness of life because they are never fully healthy and strong.
"Like a skillful coach, Paul supplies ample motivation for maintaining the struggle." [Note: Idem, 1-2 Timothy . . ., p. 142.]
". . . growth is not automatic; it is conditioned upon our responses. Only by the exercise of spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, obedience, faith, study of the Scriptures, and proper responses to trials, does our intimacy with Christ increase. Only by continuing in doing good does that spiritual life imparted at regeneration grow to maturity and earn a reward." [Note: Dillow, p. 136.]
"Possessing eternal life is one thing, but ’taking hold’ of it is another. The former is static; the latter is dynamic. The former depends upon God; the latter depends upon us. The former comes through faith alone; ’taking hold’ requires faith plus obedience (1 Timothy 6:14)." [Note: Ibid., p. 137. Cf. Deuteronomy 4:1, 40; 5:29, 33; Hebrews 12:9-11.]
Timothy’s profession of eternal life before many witnesses probably refers to his baptism in water rather than to his ordination.
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