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.
Paul has just warned Timothy about the love of money, and now he turns him the other way: fight, and take hold. Behind both commands stand a call Timothy received and a confession he made in public, and commentators ask how a life already given can still be grasped.
The Man Who Fights
The charge does not start with battle. It starts with the character of the man sent into it.
The Christian's FriendAs the confusion grew, the apostle gives the moral features that should mark the "man of God." These would fit him for his unavoidable conflict with the power of evil. No servant of Christ can hold up the standard of the truth unless the truth has formed him. If he tries, it will only end in disastrous defeat. In life, as well as in word, he must represent the Master whom he serves.
The Good Fight of Faith
"The faith" here means more than Timothy's own trust. The same writer takes it as the body of truth handed to the saints.
The Christian's FriendThe good fight of faith is contending earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. That means the truth which had been spread among the saints and received by them. So the faith is the thing believed. But remember: without faith at work in the soul now, this fight could not be won. Otherwise, however earnest the argument, "the faith" might be nothing more than a dead creed.
Another writer traces the fight to the enemy's presence.
J. N. DarbyMeanwhile there was conflict: he must fight the good fight of faith. If anyone represents God in the world, there must be warfare, because the enemy is there. Faith's energy was also needed to lay hold of eternal life among the temptations and difficulties that the "things that are seen" bring.
Laying Hold of What Is Already Given
If eternal life is a gift, why command a man to seize it? One commentator separates having it from entering into it.
Arno Clemens GaebeleinThis life is a personal possession. So the command does not mean obtaining eternal life; that is the gift of God. You must lay hold of it in faith, enter into it and enjoy it. Many have eternal life, but what they need is a practical laying hold of all that it implies and all that goes with it.
Another writer makes this a matter of where you believe you belong.
Henry Allan IronsideWe lay hold on eternal life as we realise in our souls that we do not belong to this sphere. Everything for us is tied to the scene we are going to... We realise that the true life is life in fellowship with God. In the Spirit's power we can then use this world without abusing it, walking as Christ walked, who alone fully showed eternal life in this scene of death.
Holding On While Others Let Go
The command comes right after the warning about money. One writer pictures Timothy refusing to let go of his catch.
J. G. BellettTimothy was to lay hold of eternal life, and let nothing shake his prey loose... The world around him was content to take its portion in this life, and many through the love of it had wandered from the faith (v. 10). But Timothy was to flee this as he pursued eternal life. Faith knew its object from the word of promise; and Timothy was to embrace it at every cost.
The Calling Behind the Command
The command rests on something God did first — a call. One writer says plainly what that call is not for.
An Outline of Sound WordsOur calling as Christians is a high calling, holy and heavenly. Like Abraham, we are to be pilgrims and strangers while we wait for all that God has promised us. God has not called us to present ease and the enjoyment of the world's pleasures. He has called us to conflict with the powers of darkness, and to the present enjoyment of heavenly things.
The Good Confession
Timothy had said something publicly, and Paul brings it back to mind. One writer notes how little visible support such a confession has.
James L HarrisBut it is hard indeed to keep up a profession contradicted, as far as sight goes, by everything in us and around us... Timothy had confessed a good confession before many witnesses, and he needed reminding of it. And so do we. For we so easily forget that we are what we are in hope.
The confession is meant to show in conduct, not only in words:
Hamilton SmithIf the man of God flees from evil, follows good, fights for the faith and lays hold of eternal life, his life will make a good confession before others. He becomes a living witness to the truths that he professes.
Summary
- Formed first. No one can hold up the standard of truth unless the truth has shaped him. Character comes before conflict.
- Fight. The good fight is contending for the faith once delivered. It is unavoidable: whoever represents God stands where the enemy is.
- Lay hold. Eternal life is God's gift, already yours. The command is to enter it, enjoy it and live it.
- Called. God did not call us to ease and the world's pleasures. He called us to fight the powers of darkness and to enjoy heavenly things now.
- Confess. A grip that outlasts the world's portion shows itself in a life that witnesses to what the mouth professes.