1 Timothy 6:12

“Fight”: Struggle, contend, in the present tense and indicates the continuity of the struggle of this life. Christians are soldiers in. spiritual battle (2 Timothy 2:3; Ephesians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 10:3). This is the fight worth fighting for, this is the real battle, the battle between good and evil. There are so many struggles and “causes” in the world, this is the fight for which all our energy should be directed. Once again, the present tense is used, keep on fighting the good fight.

1 Timothy 6:12 “The good fight”: The noble contest, the fight worth fighting. In the contest, some people opt for the “contest” of acquiring wealth, Timothy is to avoid that “contest” and rather contend for the faith. Note, the term “fight” suggests that this is. struggle that we will either win or lose-there are no ties.

1 Timothy 6:12 “Take hold of”: Carefully note that eternal life for the Christian is not automatic and neither is it unconditional. Timothy must do something to gain eternal life and he must actively hold on to the relationship with God that he presently has. Eternal life is. gift (Romans 6:23), but it is. gift that must be taken and held by the believer. “God does not give it to anyone who does not appreciate it enough to make. strenuous effort to obtain it” (Reese p. 286).

1 Timothy 6:12 “To which you were called”: That is, the gospel calls one to eternal life (1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; Hebrews 3:1).

1 Timothy 6:12 “And you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses”: Some believe this is Timothy's confession before various rulers (Hebrews 13:23), or it may refer to the confession made prior to his baptism (Acts 8:37),. confession that Timothy is expected to honor throughout his life. Compare with Matthew 10:32. “To fail to take hold of eternal life would be, in effect, to deny what he had once confessed” (Reese p. 287).