1 Timóteo 6
Matthew Poole · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Timóteo 6:12
Poole writes that it is called a good fight…… either in opposition to the bad fights of the men of the world in maintenance of their lusts, or the ludicrous fights usual in their public games, or of the intrinsic nobleness and exercise of it, or the good event or issue of it. (1 Timothy 6 Commentary) G W Knight feels it is a "good fight"…both because it is engaged in for God and the gospel and also because it is inherent to the gospel’s making its way in an evil world. (Knight, George W.: The Pastoral Epistles: A Commentary on the Greek Text. W. B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press. 1992) Illustration of How Serious Athletics were in Greek Culture: There is a story about a boxer who was disinherited because he no longer resembled his portrait painted earlier in life; he could not prove his identity from the portrait because of his battered features! Are you battered like the boxer? No worries beloved, for you are in Christ and will be approved by God because of your position! The Greek Pankration (means "all powers") lived up to its name as it was a fight with "no holds barred" (save biting and gouging out the opponent's eyes!), including choking, kicking in the stomach, tripping, etc. Training was intense… The preparation of pankratiasts included a very wide variety of methods, most of which would be immediately recognizable by the trainers of modern high level athletes, including competitors in modern mixed martial arts competitions. These methods included among others the periodization of training; a wealth of regimes for the development of strength, speed-strength, speed, stamina, and endurance; specialized training for the different stages of competition, and methods for learning and engraining techniques. Interestingly, among the multitude of the latter were also training tools that appear to be very similar to Asian martial arts Forms or kata, and were known as cheironomia and anapale. Punching bags ("leather sack") of different sizes and dummies were used for striking practice as well as for the hardening of the body and limbs. Nutrition, massage, and other recovery techniques were used very actively by pankratiasts. (Pankration) Timothy had surely observed these athletic events and fully understood what Paul meant when he commanded him to "fight the good fight." Puritan Thomas Watson has a treatise on The Heavenly Race and summarizes several pictures in Scripture to help us grasp the seriousness of this once in lifetime grace race… True religion is a business of the greatest importance. The soul, which is the more noble and divine part, is concerned in it; and, as we act our part here—so we shall be forever happy—or miserable. The advice of Solomon in this case is most seasonable: "Whatever your hand finds to do—do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." Ecclesiastes 9:10. The business of true religion, requires our utmost zeal and intensity, Matthew 11:12. Sometimes the work we are to do for heaven is set out by striving. Luke 13:24, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate." Strive as in an agony—strive as for a matter of life and death. Though we must be men of peace—yet, in matters of religion, we must be men of strife. It is a holy strife—a blessed contention. Indeed, the Apostle said, "Let nothing be done through strife"; but, though strife does not do well among Christians—yet it does well in a Christian. He must strive with his own heart—or he will never get to heaven. Sometimes our work for heaven is compared to wrestling. Ephesians 6:12, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood—but against principalities and powers." Our life is a continual wrestling. As Jacob wrestled with the angel—so we must wrestle with our corruptions. We must not lay our sins in our bosom—but set our feet upon their necks! If we beat our sins, and get them down—it is not baseness or cowardice to strike them when they are down. And we must wrestle with Satan. Satan labors to get within us and give us a fall, as he did our first parents. What the devil would have done to Christ, throw Him from the pinnacle of the temple, Matthew 4, that he did to our first parents. He threw them down from the pinnacle of happiness. Therefore, we must wrestle with him. "Resist the devil and he will flee from you," James 4:7. Sometimes the life of a Christian is compared to fighting. 1 Timothy 6:12, "Fight the good fight of faith." Christ is the Captain of the saints' forces. He is called the Captain of their salvation, Hebrews 2:10. We must all be military persons. Faith is our shield; hope is our helmet; the Word of God is our sword. We come into the world as into a battle. Lusts war against us, 1 Peter 2:11. Good reason, therefore, that we should war against them. It is a day of battle, and it is dangerous going abroad without our armor. Sometimes a Christian's work for heaven is compared to the running of a race; so in the text, "Don't you know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." In which words the Apostle seems to allude either to the Olympic games, which were kept every fifth year in honor of Jupiter, or to the Ithmian games celebrated near Corinth in the honor of Neptune, in which games they put forth all their strength to win the prize. Just so, said the Apostle, run the race of Christianity which is set before you with a winged swiftness that you may obtain the prize of salvation! (The Heavenly Race - recommended read - see also Watson's The Fight of Faith Crowned and Spurgeon's The Greatest Fight in the World) Good (2570)(see more below on kalos) describes that which is inherently excellent or intrinsically good, providing some special or superior benefit. Kalos is good with emphasis on that which is beautiful, handsome, excellent, surpassing, precious, commendable, admirable or that which provides some special or superior benefit. Fight (73) (agon = root of our English agony, agonize) is the noun form of the verb (agonizomai) discussed above and speaks of the conflict or contest for victory in the Olympic and Pythian games. It refers to strife, contention, a competition, a contest, a race, a struggle against opposition. Agon is used only five times in Scripture (Phil 1:30; Col 2:1; 1Th 2:2; 1Ti6:12; 2Ti 4:7; Heb 12:1) and is translated conflict, fight, opposition, race, and struggle. In secular Greek agon was used to describe any struggle, trial, or danger. Agon was also used to describe a gathering or assembly of people and then came to refer to the stadium or actual place where the contest took place. The first-century Roman world was acquainted with these Greek athletic terms, for the Greek stadium was a familiar sight, and the Greek athletic games were well known in the large cities of the Empire. As an aside note that the related word agonia is used in Lk. 22:44+ where we read And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. Agonia clearly speaks of combat, giving prominence to the pain and labor of the conflict. Agonia is used in secular Greek writings to describe the sense of fearful anticipation that a wrestler experiences before the contest begins. Agonia however is clearly not the same "fear" as conveyed by the word phobos, but an anxiety about the issue. Agonia speaks not of the fear that shrinks back and/or flees from the conflict, but describes a fear which trembles at the prospect of the conflict, an emotion in fact that does not cause one to shrink back but which spurs one on to the uttermost. Indeed, agonia is aptly and awesomely depicted in the agony of soul of our dear Lord Jesus Christ in Gethsemane, as sure the battle of eternity was being waged against Him by a desperate devil and his vile minions! THOUGHT- Question: How does Luke 22:44 picture our Lord doing battle even though in agony? What does this teach us about how to war against invisible foes? Let us pray, pray, pray… without ceasing!) So dearly beloved soldier of Christ, whatever warfare you might be currently experiencing, be encouraged that He has already won the battle over all the forces of darkness, a battle that was waged mightily in Gethsemane and was consummated victoriously on the mighty Cross! Fight on! Fight the good fight of faith, knowing not only is the battle the Lord's but His victory is assured! Hallelujah! Amen! In the present passage Paul used agon not to represent the stadium but to vividly picture the intensity of the spiritual struggle in the Christian life into which all believers have been called. When we were transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light and of God's beloved Son, we entered into the lifelong struggle with the powers of darkness. For example, Paul used agon in a similar sense in his letter to the saints of Thessalonica that after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the Gospel of God amid much opposition (agon) (1Th 2:2+) In opposition to those who crave material riches, Timothy is to strive after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness J C Ryle on fighting against the flesh - Let us dismiss from our minds the crude modern idea that a believer has only got to sit still, and "yield himself" to God. Let us rather maintain the language of Scripture, and strive to "mortify the deeds of our body," to "crucify our flesh," to "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit," to wrestle, to fight, and live the soldier's life (Ro 8:13; Gal. 5:24; 2Co. 7:1; Eph. 6:12; 1Ti. 6:12; 2Ti. 2:3). One might think that the account of the armor of God in the Epistle to the Ephesians ought to settle the question of our duty. But the plain truth is, men will persist in confounding two things that differ, that is justification and sanctification. In justification, the word to be addressed to man is, Believe, only believe. In sanctification, the word must be, Watch, pray, and fight. What God has divided, let us not mingle and confuse. Matthew
1 Timóteo 6:13-14
Poole writes that…there is no motive more powerful to a zealous and faithful discharge of our duty, no excitation more rousing from the security and carelessness of the flesh, than the serious believing consideration of the glorious reward to be dispersed by our Saviour to his faithful servants in that day (of the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ). (1 Timothy 6 Commentary) Gromacki comments that…The mention of Christ’s return rather than the death of Timothy reveals the apostolic expectation that the Savior could have returned during their lifetimes. (Stand True to the Charge: An Exposition of I Timothy) Appearing (2015)(epiphaneia from epi = upon + phaino = to shine; verb = epiphaino; source of our English epiphany = manifestation of a supernatural or divine reality or any moment of great or sudden revelation) literally means to shine upon ("a shining forth") and in practice describes a manifestation or appearance (See notes below for interesting secular uses of epiphaneia). Epiphaneia can convey ideas such as "brightness" or "startling appearance." Behold He comes, riding on the clouds, Shining like the Sun at the trumpet call; Lift your voice, it's the year of Jubilee, And out of Zion's hill Salvation comes. Play "Days of Elijah" See related word Revelation (apokalupsis) - literally conveys the idea of "taking the lid off" and means to remove the cover and expose to open view that which was heretofore not visible and so to make manifest or reveal that which was previously hidden from view. Paul used epiphaneia of the first coming in 2Ti 1:10, Titus 2:11, but of the Second Coming in 1Ti 6:14, 2Th 2:8, 2Ti 4:1, and Titus 2:13. In describing the Second Coming Paul more often uses parousia ("coming") and may be using epiphaneia in this passage because of the emphasis this word places on the suddenness of the glorious appearing. Paul combines epiphaneia, parousia and apokalupto (verb from of apokalupsis) in his description of the Lord's return to utterly defeat the Antichrist… And then that lawless one (Antichrist) will be revealed (apokalupto) whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance (epiphaneia) of His coming (parousia); (2Th 2:8) Comment: Here we see parousia depicts Christ's physical return and epiphaneia His physical manifestation. CHRIST'S SUDDEN APPEARING TO BRING "HELP" TO THE EARTH The sudden appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ to bring help (as implied by the use of epiphaneia) brings to mind Nebuchadnezzar's dream interpreted by Daniel… (Daniel speaking) You (Nebuchadnezzar) continued looking until a STONE was cut out without hands (Ed: Therefore, not human but "superhuman", and more specifically Divine, the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ!), and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed all at the same time, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them was found. But the STONE that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. (Ed: Clearly not a literal mountain but a picture of the worldwide rule of the Kingdom of Messiah as He takes His rightful throne and begins His Millennial reign) (Da 2:34, 35-note)… And in the days of those kings (Ed: Remember to interrogate with the 5W/H'S- Answer? The "toe stage" which symbolizes 10 kings [cp Da 7:7-note, Da 7:24-note] in a loose confederation, an entity that has yet to be seen in human history, but will come to pass in the last days.) the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed (Messiah's Millennial Kingdom), and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms (Ed: The "Stone", the Lord Jesus Christ, will appear suddenly and put an end to all godless human governments in a moment of time! compare Revelation 19:11-15-note, Rev 19:16-note), but it will itself endure forever. Inasmuch as you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands and that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold, the great God has made known to the king what will take place in the future; so the dream is true, and its interpretation is trustworthy. (Da 2:44, 45-note) Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and did homage to Daniel, and gave orders to present to him an offering and fragrant incense. The king answered Daniel and said, "Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries (Ed: After Nebuchadnezzar's humiliation, God lifts him up and he now gives praise not to Daniel but to God, and indeed I think we shall see Nebuchadnezzar in heaven! cp Da 4:34, 35, 36, 37-note), since you have been able to reveal this mystery." (Da 2:46, 47-note) Comment: In His first "manifestation" (epiphaneia) (2Ti 1:9, 10) Christ abolished death, and His second "manifestation" (Da 2:34-35, 44-45), He abolishes the enemies of God. The following secular uses of epiphaneia present striking parallels to the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ… Epiphaneia was used in secular Greek writings to describe a glorious manifestation of the gods, especially their coming to help (which they could not in truth! Read Isa 44:8, 9, 10, 17, Isa 36:19, 20, 37:18). Epiphaneia described the accession of the emperor to the throne of the Empire (compare Mt 25:31 which describes the accession of the King of kings to His rightful throne). Epiphaneia was used of a visit by the Emperor to any province or town. The emperor’s appearance in any place was his epiphaneia. Obviously when the Emperor was due to visit any place, everything was put in perfect order” (compare 1Jn 2:28, cp 2Cor 7:1-note) Her in 1Ti 6:14 Paul in essence reminding Timothy “You know what happens when any town is expecting the epiphaneia of the Emperor. You are expecting the epiphaneia of Jesus Christ, so keep the commandment without stain or reproach! Beloved, we should all live and work for Christ and in Christ (Jn 15:5) as if this were our last day on earth! We should so order our life that at any moment we are ready for His Return. Let it be so Lord. Amen Epiphaneia was used to describe the dawning of light upon the darkness and also conveyed the idea of a sudden appearance upon the scene, which is significant in light of the fact that the NT epiphaneia is used only of the appearing of Christ. (Compare description of the appearing in 2Th 2:8) NLT Study Bible has a good summary noting that…An epiphany is a divine intervention in a particular historical moment. The church is positioned between these past and future appearances of Christ. Christ’s first, saving epiphany made possible a new life; his future epiphany will achieve final salvation. Though the present is evil (the “last days,” 1Ti 4:1–3; 2Ti 3:1–9), our anticipation of Christ’s appearance creates accountability for living a godly life in the present. By contrast, the false teachers advocated sinful behaviors because they assumed the resurrection had already occurred (2Ti 2:18). In response, Paul makes clear that salvation has begun but is not yet complete. The conduct of God’s household requires responsible living in the light of Christ’s past, present, and future saving work (3:15–16; Titus 2:11–14). (Borrow NLT Study Bible) As noted above, but it bears repeating, that careful observers of Scripture have estimated that almost one of every 20 verses in the New Testament speaks either directly or indirectly about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ! God has clearly gone to great "effort" to make the point that His Son is returning and His return is imminent! What difference should this truth make in our lives? WHAT ONE IS LOOKING FOR ALWAYS DETERMINES WHAT ONE IS LIVING FOR! The following comment in the excellent Moody devotional Today in the Word helps us understand why prophecy, instead of being a source of antipathy among believers, as it so often is, should be a source of anticipation for all believers… Biblical prophecy provides some of the greatest encouragement and hope available to us today. Just as the Old Testament is saturated with prophecies concerning Christ’s first advent, so both testaments are filled with references to the Second Coming of Christ. One scholar has estimated that there are 1,845 references to Christ’s Second Coming in the Old Testament, where 17 books give it prominence. In the 260 chapters of the New Testament, there are 318 references to the Second Advent of Christ—an amazing 1 out of every 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. For every prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ’s First Advent, there are 8 which look forward to His Second! Knute Larson writes that…The coming of Christ has sustained the church for centuries. It is to our shame that we do not have the same anticipation, the same high expectancy of the Lord's return. Such a glorious prospect keeps the difficulties as well as the temptations of this life in proper perspective. (Holman New Testament Commentary) Pastor Steven Cole sees keeping the commandment without stain or reproach as descriptive of a life of integrity. He then summarizes how several of the truths Paul states about God and Jesus Christ should serve to motivate us to a life of integrity. (1) "In the presence of God" (1Ti 6:13) - The awareness of God’s presence will motivate us to a life of integrity. (2) "The appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1Ti 6:14) - The awareness of Christ’s coming will motivate us to a life of integrity. Cole gave this illustration… The 20th Century Fox company once advertised for a sales-man and got this reply from an applicant: “I am at present selling furniture at the address below. You may judge my ability as a salesman if you will stop in to see me at any time, pretending that you are interested in buying furniture. When you come in you can identify me by my red hair. And I will have no way of identifying you. Such salesmanship as I exhibit during your visit, therefore, will be no more than my usual workaday approach, and not a special effort to impress a prospective employer.” (In “Bits & Pieces,” 3/85.) I don’t know if he got the job, but his attitude was what ours should be as we conduct ourselves in this world. We don’t know when our Lord will return; we just know He’s coming. So we ought always to live without stain or reproach, ready to meet Him. (3) "(The return of Christ) which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign" (1Ti 6:15) - The awareness of God’s sovereign supremacy will motivate us to a life of integrity. (For more detail see sermon Integrity Under Fire) See Related Study - Integrity - A Few Thoughts