“This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,“(1 Timothy 1:18 (ESV)
Today’s text refers the reader back to the immediately preceding context begun in 1:3-7. What charge had the Apostle Paul given to Timothy?
3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.” (1 Timothy 1:3–7 (ESV)
Paul wanted Timothy to guard the truth of Scripture. He did not want Timothy allowing any deluding of truth in general and the Gospel of Jesus Christ in particular. The apostle warned such deviations from biblical fidelity promote speculation rather than confirmation. The reasoning behind this directive was self-sacrificial love of the will; agape love. This originated from Paul’s pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith.
This charge (παραγγελίαν; paraangelian) was an instruction or command. It was also a message of exhortation. Paul personally entrusted (παρατίθεμαί; parathithemai) or deposited this responsibility to his young protégé and spiritual child in the faith. By extension, this charge is given to each and every minister, pastor, teacher and believer in Christ.
This confident delegation of responsibility to Timothy was based on previous prophetic utterances regarding this young man (See 4:14; 6:12; 2 Tim. 2:1-2; Acts 14:23). As was the situation with the Apostle Paul (Acts 9:15-16; 22:14-15; 26:16-18), so it was with his young companion.
“All that he (Paul) had introduced about his own person may be viewed as a digression from his subject. Having to arm Timothy with authority, it became necessary for himself to be clothed with the highest authority; and, therefore, he took an early opportunity of refuting an opinion which might have stood in his way. And now, after having proved that his apostleship ought not to be less esteemed by good men, because at one time he fought against the kingdom of Christ, this obstacle being removed, he returns to the course of his exhortation. The commandment, therefore, is the same as he mentioned at the beginning,” explains John Calvin.
“In order to encourage Timothy still more, Paul reminds him what kind of testimony he had obtained from the Spirit of God; for it was no small excitement, that his ministry was approved by God, and that he had been called by divine revelation before he was called by the votes of men.”
All of Paul’s encouraging words were to prepare Timothy for the solemn task to “wage the good warfare.” To wage (στρατεύῃ; strateue) refers to a present, personal and intentional perspective of being a soldier for the Gospel. Paul referred to this as the good warfare (καλὴν; στρατείαν; kalen strateian). This meant a desirable campaign. This conflict is against the Satanic perversion of Scripture (I Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7; Eph. 6:10-20).
“Nothing happens contrary to the eternal decree of God, that one is engaged in a battle which is not merely his own but the Lord’s; and that courage and faithfulness will certainly be awarded,” states Dr. William Hendriksen.
What spiritual war are you currently engaged in fighting against the fallen world, your remaining sinful desires and the evil one; Satan? What conflict is joined as you battle for biblical truth in a culture which despises such truth (Rom. 1:18-23)? Be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:1-9).
“It is disgraceful not to come up to the expectations which men have been led to form; and how much more disgraceful will it be to make void, as far as lies in thy power, the judgment of God,” concludes Calvin.
Have a blessed day in the Lord. May His truth and grace be found here.
Soli deo Gloria!
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