1 Timothy 6:12 - Exposition

The faith for faith, A.V.; the life eternal for eternal life, A.V.; wast for art also, A.V. and T.R.; didst confess the good confession for hast professed a good profession, A.V.; in the sight of for before, A.V. Fight the good fight . This is not quite a happy rendering. ἀγών is the "contest" at the Olympic assembly for any of the prizes, in wrestling, chariot-racing, foot-racing, music, or what not. ἀγωνίζεσθαι τὸν ἀγῶνα is to "carry on such a contest". The comparison is different from that in 1 Timothy 1:18 , ἵνα στρατεύῃ .. τὴν καλὴν στρατείαν ," That thou mayest war the good warfare." The faith. There is nothing to determine absolutely whether ἡ πίστις here means faith subjectively or "the faith" objectively, nor does it much matter. The result is the same; but the subjective sense seems the most appropriate. Lay hold, etc.; as the βραβεῖον or prize of the contest (see 1 Corinthians 9:24 , 1 Corinthians 9:25 ). Whereunto thou wast called. So St. Paul continually ( Romans 1:1 , Romans 1:6 , Romans 1:7 ; Romans 8:28 , Romans 8:30 ; 1 Corinthians 1:29 ; Ephesians 4:1 ; 1 Thessalonians 2:12 ; and numerous other passages). He seems here to drop the metaphor, as in the following clause. Didst confess the good confession. The connection of this phrase with the call to eternal life, and the allusion to one special occasion on which Timothy "had confessed the good confession" of his faith in Jesus Christ, seems to point clearly to his baptism (see Matthew 10:32 ; John 9:22 ; John 12:42 ; Hebrews 10:23 ). The phrase, "the good confession," seems to have been technically applied to the baptismal confession of Christ (compare the other Church sayings, 1 Timothy 1:15 ; 1 Timothy 3:1 ; 1 Timothy 4:9 ; 2 Timothy 2:11 ; Titus 3:8 ). In the sight of many witnesses. The whole congregation of the Church, who were witnesses of his baptism (see the rubric prefixed to the Order of "Ministration of Public Baptism" in the Book of Common Prayer).