1 Timothy 6:12

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

ἀγωνίζου Fight G75
ἀγωνίζου Fight
Strong's: G75
Word #: 1 of 22
to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), figuratively (to contend with an adversary), or genitive case (to endeavor to accomplish something)
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 2 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καλὴν a good G2570
καλὴν a good
Strong's: G2570
Word #: 3 of 22
properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished
ἀγῶνα fight G73
ἀγῶνα fight
Strong's: G73
Word #: 4 of 22
properly, a place of assembly (as if led), i.e., (by implication) a contest (held there); figuratively, an effort or anxiety
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστεως of faith G4102
πίστεως of faith
Strong's: G4102
Word #: 6 of 22
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
ἐπιλαβοῦ lay hold on G1949
ἐπιλαβοῦ lay hold on
Strong's: G1949
Word #: 7 of 22
to seize (for help, injury, attainment, or any other purpose; literally or figuratively)
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 8 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἰωνίου eternal G166
αἰωνίου eternal
Strong's: G166
Word #: 9 of 22
perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)
ζωῆς life G2222
ζωῆς life
Strong's: G2222
Word #: 10 of 22
life (literally or figuratively)
εἰς whereunto G1519
εἰς whereunto
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 11 of 22
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ἣν G3739
ἣν
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 12 of 22
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 13 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐκλήθης called G2564
ἐκλήθης called
Strong's: G2564
Word #: 14 of 22
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 15 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὡμολόγησας hast professed G3670
ὡμολόγησας hast professed
Strong's: G3670
Word #: 16 of 22
to assent, i.e., covenant, acknowledge
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 17 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καλὴν a good G2570
καλὴν a good
Strong's: G2570
Word #: 18 of 22
properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished
ὁμολογίαν profession G3671
ὁμολογίαν profession
Strong's: G3671
Word #: 19 of 22
acknowledgment
ἐνώπιον before G1799
ἐνώπιον before
Strong's: G1799
Word #: 20 of 22
in the face of (literally or figuratively)
πολλῶν many G4183
πολλῶν many
Strong's: G4183
Word #: 21 of 22
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
μαρτύρων witnesses G3144
μαρτύρων witnesses
Strong's: G3144
Word #: 22 of 22
a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr"

Cross References

1 Timothy 1:18This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;1 Peter 5:10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.2 Timothy 4:7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:1 Timothy 6:13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;Hebrews 6:18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:Revelation 3:3Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.Colossians 3:15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.1 John 2:25And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.Zechariah 10:5And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.1 Timothy 6:19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Analysis & Commentary

Fight the good fight of faith (ἀγωνίζου τὸν καλὸν ἀγῶνα τῆς πίστεως, agōnizou ton kalon agōna tēs pisteōs)—'fight the good fight of the faith.' Agōnizomai means to contend, struggle, compete—used of athletic contests and military battles. Agōn means contest, struggle, fight. Kalos means good, noble, beautiful. Faith involves struggle—against sin, Satan, false teaching, cultural pressure.

Lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called (ἐπιλαβοῦ τῆς αἰωνίου ζωῆς, εἰς ἣν ἐκλήθης, epilabou tēs aiōniou zōēs, eis hēn eklēthēs)—'take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.' Epilambanomai means to seize, grasp, take hold of. Not earning eternal life, but actively appropriating it by faith. And hast professed a good profession before many witnesses (καὶ ὡμολόγησας τὴν καλὴν ὁμολογίαν ἐνώπιον πολλῶν μαρτύρων, kai hōmologēsas tēn kalēn homologian enōpion pollōn martyrōn)—'and confessed the good confession before many witnesses.' Likely Timothy's baptism or ordination, when he publicly confessed faith.

Christian life is spiritual warfare requiring active engagement—fight faith's fight, seize eternal life, maintain your confession. Paul uses vigorous verbs: fight, seize, confess. No passivity, no coasting—press forward in faith.

Historical Context

Athletic imagery was familiar to Paul's readers—Greek culture celebrated games where athletes competed for wreaths. Military metaphors also resonated in the Roman Empire. Paul combines both: Christian life is a contest requiring discipline and a battle requiring courage. Timothy must actively fight for faith, not passively hope it continues. The 'many witnesses' of his confession hold him accountable to persevere.

Questions for Reflection

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