What does 1 Timothy 6:12 mean? (2024)

Chapter

ESVFight 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.

NIVFight 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.

NASBFight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

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

NLTFight 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.

KJVFight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

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THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.

The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible Copyright© 1960 - 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.

Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright© 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission.

Verse 11 commanded Timothy to flee from sin and temptation, and gave a list of positive character traits to pursue, instead. In this verse, Paul provides two imperatives. First, Timothy is to, "Fight the good fight of the faith." This wording closely resembles words Paul will use regarding himself in his second letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 4:7). The metaphor of our spiritual warfare as a boxing match is not unusual for Paul, who also spoke of the Christian faith as a boxing match or fight in 1 Corinthians 9:26: "… I do not box as one beating the air," referencing the idea of shadow boxing.

Paul's second command in this verse is for Timothy to live as if he has eternal life already. Paul mentioned eternal life earlier in 1 Timothy 1:16 and often spoke of it in his letters (Romans 2:7; 5:21; 6:22, 23; Galatians 6:8; Titus 1:2).

Timothy's profession of faith, mentioned here, had clearly happened among other believers in Lystra before he set out to travel with Paul as a missionary.

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THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.

The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible Copyright© 1960 - 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.

Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright© 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission.

What does 1 Timothy 6:12 mean? (2024)

FAQs

What is the lesson of 1 Timothy 6 12? ›

1 Timothy 6:11–12 Encourages Us to Strive for Godly Living

We pray for righteousness, knowing that today we will face all kinds of temptations. Tomorrow, we will face all kinds of temptations to not do that which is right, good, and pure before You. So help us to fight for righteousness today, for godliness.

What is the good confession in 1 Timothy 6:12? ›

As Jesus confessed His identity before Pilate, so believers are to confess Jesus' identity before others as well. This confession is not the confession of sin or that one is a sinner; this is “speaking the same thing” as Jesus before Pilate, that He is the Christ, the Son of God (cf.

What is the prayer for 1 Timothy 6 12? ›

Dear Father, Lord of all lords, Enable me to take hold of the eternal life to which I was called when I made the good confession before many witnesses. Help me keep your commands until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which you will bring about in your own time.

What is the meaning of 1 Timothy 612? ›

The apostle suggests to Timothy, that he had other business to do than to mind the things of this world; his life was a state of warfare; he was a soldier, and was not to entangle himself with the things of this life; he had many enemies to engage with, as Satan, and his principalities and powers; sin, and the lusts of ...

What is the Greek word for fight in 1 tim 6 12? ›

In that verse, the apostle Paul wrote, “Fight the good faith of faith….” According to this verse, the path of faith often requires a fight to see it through to completion. The word “fight” is the Greek word agonidzo, which refers to a struggle, a fight, great exertion, or effort.

What lesson do we learn from 1 Timothy 6? ›

In 1 Timothy Chapter 6, the Apostle Paul issued a stern warning about the trouble we can get in when we place too much value on money and material things: “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith.” – 1 Timothy 6:10.

How do you confess sinful thoughts? ›

Tips for Confession
  1. Pray. You confess sin to God through prayer, but you can also pray for the courage to confess to another person, and ask Him to help you see any other things you need to confess (Psalm 139:23-24).
  2. Grieve your sin. ...
  3. Be specific. ...
  4. Trust God.
Oct 11, 2021

What does it mean when someone says 1 Timothy 6 13? ›

Timothy is being reminded that everything which occurs, including Paul's charge, is in the presence of God. He is there, He is watching, and Timothy is to remember this. He is to take to heart the words of instruction, and apply them steadfastly to his life and doctrine.

What is 1 Timothy talking about? ›

First Timothy presents the most explicit and complete instructions for church leadership and organization in the entire Bible. This includes sections on appropriate conduct in worship gatherings, the qualifications of elders and deacons, and the proper order of church discipline.

Who wrote 1 Timothy 6 12? ›

This chapter completes Paul's highly practical instructions to his friend and student, Timothy. The major focus of this passage is proper Christian conduct, and the avoidance of evil. Paul gives several character flaws common in those who teach false doctrine.

What is 1 Timothy 6 vs 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.

What does 1 Timothy 6 11 12 mean? ›

The first thing we find in 1 Timothy 6:11-12 is that Timothy is told to flee from sin. Fleeing from sin may look different from person to person, depending on what struggles and temptations a person faces. For some people, fleeing from sin may look like being honest when lying would be easier.

What does Timothy teach us? ›

WHAT'S IT ABOUT? The First Letter to Timothy is primarily about leadership in the early church: it exhorts its readers to resist false teaching, hold on to the faith as delivered, exhibit good conduct, and order the church in such a way that all of this can be accomplished.

What is Timothy's spiritual gift? ›

Among his gifts, the gift of teaching seems to stand out. Timothy's gift was divinely bestowed. In his case the giving of the gift was accompanied by the laying on of hands of the presbytery. Fifth, Paul urged Timothy not to neglect his gift but to fan it into flames.

What does the Bible say about teaching the younger generation? ›

Psalm 78:5–8 Commands Us to Teach Our Young to Follow God

So how can we all live today to faithfully pass the gospel on to the next generation right now and coming generations after those who are youngest right now that they might not just know the commands of God, but teach them to their children?

What does it mean to fight the good fight of the faith? ›

Fighting the good fight of faith is about making a choice – a choice to pursue God's will and a life of faith on a daily basis. It is about deciding to fight the temptations and factors that pull away from God and instead lean into Him.

What does 1 Timothy 6 12 16 mean? ›

After Paul urges Timothy to fight the good fight he goes on to give him reasons he ought to be courageous in the good fight. Continuing in 1 Timothy 6:12, Paul says, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called. We can be courageous in the battle by understanding that we possess eternal life.

What does it mean that God will put new wine in us? ›

The phrase “new wine” is used frequently in the Old Testament, and it most often refers to earthly prosperity (especially when paired with “grain). That is to mean, “tokens of the blessing of God,” which prospers one with wealth (The Illustrated Bible Dictionary: Vol. 3).

What does 1st Timothy chapter 6 verse 13 mean? ›

Timothy is being reminded that everything which occurs, including Paul's charge, is in the presence of God. He is there, He is watching, and Timothy is to remember this. He is to take to heart the words of instruction, and apply them steadfastly to his life and doctrine.

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