1 Timothy 6 12

1 Timothy 6:12 kjv

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.

1 Timothy 6:12 nkjv

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:12 niv

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:12 esv

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:12 nlt

Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6 verses

1 Timothy 6 12 Meaning

This verse is a powerful exhortation from Paul to Timothy to faithfully fight the good fight of faith. It emphasizes the ultimate goal of eternal life, which is assured through Christ to those who believe and persevere. It is a call to embrace spiritual discipline and a steadfast commitment to the gospel, rejecting false teachings.

1 Timothy 6 12 Context

First Timothy was written by the Apostle Paul to his protégé, Timothy, whom he had left in Ephesus to oversee the church. The letter addresses issues of church order, conduct, and doctrine, particularly in light of the rise of false teachings that were undermining the faith. Chapter 6 specifically warns against the love of money and encourages contentment, while also cautioning Timothy about false teachers who pervert the gospel for financial gain. In this verse, Paul is concluding his charge to Timothy and the church, urging a commitment to sound doctrine and godly living.

1 Timothy 6 12 Word Analysis

• Fight (ἀγωνίζου - agōnizou): This is an imperative verb derived from the noun agōn, which refers to a struggle, contest, or athletic competition (like a wrestling match or a race). It implies intense effort, diligence, and perseverance. It's not a passive stance but an active, determined struggle.

• the good (καλόν - kalon): This adjective signifies not just moral goodness, but also excellence, beauty, and that which is fitting and honorable. It points to the noble and worthy nature of the fight.

• fight (ἀγῶνα - agōna): This is the accusative form of agōn, the contest or struggle itself.

• of faith (τῆς πίστεως - tēs pisteōs): This genitive noun signifies "faith." It indicates the arena or the cause for which the fight is waged. The struggle is for the integrity and propagation of the Christian faith.

• Lay hold (ἐπιλαβοῦ - epilabou): This is aorist imperative verb, meaning to seize, grasp firmly, or take hold of. It implies actively securing and retaining something precious and vital.

• of eternal life (τῆς ζωῆς αἰωνίου - tēs zōēs aiōniou): This phrase refers to life that is unending, commencing now and continuing into eternity with God. It is the ultimate prize of the spiritual fight.

• whereunto (εἰς ἣν - eis hēn): This relative pronoun introduces the purpose or sphere into which Timothy has been called.

• you were called (ἐκλήθης - eklēthēs): This is a passive aorist verb, signifying God's sovereign call into salvation and discipleship.

• and (καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction.

• made (ὁμολόγησας - homologēsas): This is an aorist participle from homologeō, meaning to confess, profess, or acknowledge openly. It points to the public affirmation of faith made by Timothy.

• the good (καλὴν - kalēn): The same adjective used earlier, signifying the excellent and true confession.

• confession (ὁμολογίαν - homologian): The noun form, meaning a public declaration or confession. It refers to Timothy's personal testimony and commitment to the gospel.

• in the presence (ἐνώπιον - enōpion): This preposition means "before" or "in the sight of."

• of many (πολλῶν - pollōn): Indicates the public nature of this confession.

• witnesses (μαρτύρων - martyōn): Witnesses in the sense of those who attest to the truth by their lives, and potentially by their suffering for it.

1 Timothy 6 12 Bonus Section

The concept of a "fight" or "struggle" (agōn) is prevalent in the New Testament, often referencing athletic contests or military combat to convey the effort and discipline required in the Christian life. Paul himself uses this imagery repeatedly to describe his own ministry and to encourage believers to strive for spiritual victory. This verse also highlights the crucial link between a correct confession of faith and the reception of eternal life, as well as the personal responsibility to actively hold onto that faith. The "good confession" Timothy made was likely his affirmation of the gospel and perhaps a response to his ordination or a specific challenge he faced, a confession he must now defend and live by.

1 Timothy 6 12 Commentary

Paul commands Timothy to engage in a determined struggle for the faith. This isn't a fight against flesh and blood, but against false doctrines and spiritual opposition that seek to distort or undermine the truth of the gospel. The "good fight" is characterized by integrity, courage, and adherence to biblical truth. The prize of this fight is eternal life, for which Timothy was specifically called and had already made a public, exemplary confession of faith before many witnesses. This emphasizes the importance of doctrinal purity, personal commitment, and perseverance in ministry, all of which require ongoing spiritual exertion and faithfulness. It is a reminder that the Christian life and ministry are not passive experiences but active engagements for truth.

• Practical Application: Ministers and believers are called to defend sound doctrine against error, to live out their faith with integrity, and to persevere through difficulties, holding fast to their confession.