1 Timothy 6:12

Compete well ¹  for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession ²  for ³  in the presence of many witnesses.

De 26:3,17-19; Ps 63:8; Pr 3:18; So 3:4; Isa 44:5; Zec 10:5; Lu 12:8,9; Ro 8:28-30; Ro 9:23,24; Ro 10:9,10; 1Co 9:25,26; 2Co 6:7; 2Co 10:3-5; Eph 6:10-18; Php 3:12-14; Col 3:15; 1Th 2:12; 1Th 5:8,9; 2Th 2:14; 1Ti 1:18; 1Ti 6:13; 1Ti 6:19; 2Ti 1:9; 2Ti 4:7; Heb 3:14; Heb 6:18; Heb 13:23; 1Pe 3:9; 1Pe 5:10; 1Jo 2:25; Re 3:3

¹ tn This phrase literally means “compete in the good competition of the faith,” using words that may refer to a race or to a boxing or wrestling match: “run the good race” or “fight the good fight.” The similar phrase in 1 Tim 1:18 uses a military picture and is more literally “war the good warfare.”

² sn At some point in Timothy’s life, he publicly acknowledged Jesus as the resurrected Lord, perhaps either at his baptism or his ordination as a minister of the gospel. With this reminder of the historical moment of his good confession, Timothy is encouraged to remain steadfast in his faith and to finish his life as a minister in the same way it began (see G. W. Knight, Pastoral Epistles [NIGTC], 264-65).

³ tn Grk “confessed the good confession.”