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 6:12 mean?
It ill becomes any men, but especially men of God, to set their hearts upon the things of this world; men of God should be taken up with the things of God.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside 1 Timothy 6:8-12 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on 1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith - The noble conflict in the cause of religion; see the notes on Ephesians 6:10-17 ; compare notes on 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 . The allusion is to the contests at the Grecian games. Lay hold on eternal life - As the crown of victory that is held out to you. Seize this as eagerly as the competitors at the Grecian games laid hold on the prize; see the notes on 1 Corinthians 9:25 . Whereunto thou art also called - That is, by the Spirit of God, and by the very nature of your profession.
Key words
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Context in 1 Timothy 6
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1 Timothy 6 belongs to the closing movement of the book, especially the section often described as care, discipline, and final exhortations. First Timothy gives pastoral instruction on false teaching, public worship, church leadership, care, and godly conduct. Read this chapter with the wider themes of church order, sound doctrine, and prayer in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Passages on trusting God, receiving Christ, persevering without sight, and the relation between faith and lived obedience.
Passages on asking, persistence, confession, dependence, and the way prayer shapes Christian life and attention.
Bible verses about eternal life
Core passages on everlasting life, union with Christ, resurrection hope, judgment, and the promise of life beyond death.