Tag: The Good Fight of Faith

The Good Fight of Faith Part 2

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou are also called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses. 

‘Lay hold’ “Lay hold on eternal life” is commanded twice (6:12, 6:19; cp. Heb. 6:18-19). There are twenty-three conditions of eternal life: Come to Christ (John 6:37, 44, 45, 65). Eat His flesh – drink His blood (John 6:50, 51, 53, 58). Labour (John 6:27). Reap – win souls (John 4:35-38). Hate (love less) the life in this world (John 12:25). Know God and Christ (John 17:2-3). Enter the right gate (Matt. 7:13-14). Cause no offence to others (Matt. 18:8-9). Keep commandments (Matt. 19:17). Forsake all (Matt. 19:27-29; Mark 10:28-30; Luke 18:28-30). Live free from sin (Rom. 5:21; 6:16-23; 8:1-13; Tit. 2:11-14). Continue in well-doing and seek eternal life (Rom. 2:7). Sow to the Spirit (Gal. 6:7-8). Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on it (6:12, 19). Be sober and hope to the end for it (Tit. 1:2; 3:7; 1Pet. 1:5, 9, 13 with Rom. 8:24). Endure temptations (Jas. 1:12). Let the promise of it remain in you and continue in God and Christ (1Jn. 2:24-25; 5:11-20). Love everybody (1Jn. 3:14-15). Keep yourself in the love of God, looking for eternal life (Jude 1:20-24). Overcome sin (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). Be faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10; Heb. 12:14-15). Believe and obey the gospel (John 3:15-19, 36; 4:14; 5:24; 6:40, 47, 54; 2Cor. 5:17; Rom. 1:5). Be born again, hear Christ, and follow Him (John 3:1-36; 10:27-29).

We get eternal life now and keep it forever if we meet the above conditions, but it does not become an unforfeitable eternal possession until we enter into it (Matt. 7:13; 18:8-9; 19:17; Rom. 6:22); receive it (Rom. 6:23; Jas. 1:12; 1Pet. 1:13; Rev. 2:10); reap it (Gal. 6:7-8); and inherit it in the world to come (Matt. 19:27-29; Mark 10:28-30; Luke 18:28-30), and at the end of this life (Rom. 6:22).

‘Professed’ [Greek: homologeo] translated as “profess” (6:12; Matt. 7:23; Tit. 1:16); “promise” (Matt. 14:7); “give thanks” (Heb. 13:15); and “confess” (Matt. 10:32; Luke 12:8; John 1:20; 9:22; 12:42; Acts 23:8; 24:14; Rom. 10:9-10; Heb. 11:13; 1Jn. 1:9; 4:2, 3, 15; 2Jn. 1:7).

The Good Fight of Faith Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ 1 Comment

1Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou are also called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses. 

‘Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou are also called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses.’ Seven last commands to Timothy: Fight the good fight of faith (6:12). Lay hold on eternal life. Keep this commandment (lay hold on eternal life) until Christ appears (6:14). Charge the rich. Keep or guard that which is committed to your trust (6:20). The Greek word parakatatheke, means to trust or deposit (6:20; 2Tim. 1:14). The deposit entrusted to Timothy was the mystery of 1Timothy 3:16. Avoid profane, vain babblings (6:20; 2Tim. 2:16). Avoid fighting false science [Greek: gnosis] knowledge acquired by learning, effort, or experience. Translated “science” (6:20) and “knowledge” 27 times (Luke 1:77; 11:52; Rom. 2:20; 11:33; etc.).

‘Lay hold’ [Greek: epilambanomai] to lay hold; seize; to attain to. Translated “lay hold on” (6:12, 19; Luke 23:26); “catch” (Matt. 14:31; Acts 16:19); “take on” (Heb. 2:16); “take by” (Mark 8:23; Acts 23:19; Heb. 8:9); “take” (Luke 9:47; 14:4; Acts 9:27; 17:19; 18:17; 21:30, 33); and “take hold of” (Luke 20:20, 26). The fact that Timothy, who had eternal life, was commanded to lay hold of it and keep this commandment “without spot, unrebukeable,” until Christ comes, proves that it is not an unforfeitable possession until final salvation is brought at His appearing (1Pet. 1:5, 9, 13). It is now hope, but hope that is seen is not hope (Rom. 8:24-25; 1Cor. 13:13; Gal. 5:5; Eph. 4:4; Col. 1:5; 1Thess. 5:8; 1Tim. 6:12, 19; Tit. 1:2; 3:7).

To be continued…