Fight the good fight (1 Tim. 1:18)

“Timothy!

My child!

I am giving you

These instructions.

These are in accordance

With the prophecies

Made earlier

About you.

Thus,

By following them,

You may fight

The good fight.”

Ταύτην τὴν παραγγελίαν παρατίθεμαί σοι, τέκνον Τιμόθεε, κατὰ τὰς προαγούσας ἐπὶ σὲ προφητείας, ἵνα στρατεύῃ ἐν αὐταῖς τὴν καλὴν στρατείαν,

Paul said, “Timothy (Τιμόθεε)!  My child (τέκνον)!  I am giving you (παρατίθεμαί σοι) these instructions (Ταύτην τὴν παραγγελίαν)!  These are in accordance with the prophecies (κατὰ τὰς προαγούσας) made earlier (προφητείας) about you (ἐπὶ σὲ).  Thus, by following them (ἐν αὐταῖς), you may fight (ἵνα στρατεύῃ) the good fight (τὴν καλὴν στρατείαν).”  Only the Pauline letters used this word στρατείαν, that means a campaign, expedition, warfare, military service, or Christian warfare.  Paul called Timothy his child, as he had done in verse two of this chapter.  He was going to give Timothy some instructions that were according to the prophecies or revelations made about Timothy previously.  Apparently, Timothy had a special Christian mission, a lot like Paul.  If Timothy followed these instructions, he would be able to fight the good Christian fight.  He would be like a military warrior going out to battle against the evil ones.  Do you fight the good fight for Jesus Christ?