What is the “good fight” and how do we fight for it? Discover the meaning of the phrase “fight the good fight” which is reflected in 1 Timothy 6:12. As we will see in this article, fighting the good fight of faith means remaining faithful to God and his word even in the face of opposition, oppression, and adversity.
This battle has to do with unwavering loyalty to the cause of God in the midst of hostilities, both internal (the church) and external (the world).
Fighting the good fight of faith also means having a firm determination to “pursue justice, goodness, faith, love, perseverance, and meekness” at all times and in all situations.
According to 1 Timothy 6:12Fighting the good fight of faith also means that, by God’s grace, you will practice the spiritual disciplines of desire, patience, endurance, and perseverance (in an athletic sense) for an everlasting crown of righteousness.
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Why Paul Says “Fight the Good Fight”
Paul wrote this epistle from a Roman prison to Timothy, a young man in charge of the Church in Ephesus. Ephesus was a prosperous Roman city. The city’s strategic position created a unique environment for trade to thrive. Many of the city’s inhabitants were wealthy due to increased commercial activities in the busy port.
Some wealthy people in this city converted to Christianity, and among them were some who were confident in their wealth. Paul instructs young Timothy to warn new believers against trusting in “uncertain riches” (1 Timothy 6:17).
Ephesus was also the seat of the fertility cult of Diana (). The city of Ephesus boasted one of the most famous pagan temples in the ancient world, the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world.
These influences and pagan traps were probably the reason why Paul warned young Timothy telling him to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12) and “save” or what was entrusted to you (1 Timothy 6:20), probably the care of the Church in Ephesus.
Fight the good fight of faith – Meaning of 1 Timothy 6:12
The apostle suggests to Timothy that he had other things to do than attend to the things of this world. His life was a state of war, and he was not to get entangled with the things of this life.
He had many enemies to deal with, including Satan and his principalities and powers; sin and the desires of the flesh; the world and the men of it, and a great battle of afflictions to bear with them. There were also the false teachers, with whom he particularly had to fight the good fight of faith, so that the truth of the Gospel, which they resisted, would continue.
This fight is called “the fight of faith“; in which the false teachers, at the time of the apostle, were so compromised, and against whom the apostles were opposed. The doctrine of the faith, the faith of the Gospel, the faith that was once delivered to the followers of Jesus , is what they fervently fought for.Faith, familiar with the Scriptures of truth, was the weapon with which they fought.
This may be called a “good fight“, because it is for a good cause, the cause of God and the truth; and under a good Captain, Jesus Christ, the Captain of our salvation. For this good weapons are provided, even the whole armor of God. It is not about weapons carnal, but spiritual and powerful Those who participate in this fight can be sure of victory and the crown of glory, life and justice.
What is the good fight?
Those who make it to heaven must make their way to it. There must be a conflict with corruption and temptations, and opposition from the powers of darkness. See that it is a good fight for a good cause and you will have a good result.
It is the fight of faith; we do not fight according to the flesh, because the weapons of our war are not carnal (2 Corinthians 10:3; 2 Corinthians 10:4). We must understand that:
- Eternal life is the crown that is proposed to us, for our encouragement to war, and for fight the good fight of faiththe good war
- This we must cling to, like those who fear falling short and losing it. Hold on and be careful to walk the right path. Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown (Revelation 3:11).
- We are called to fight and to take hold of eternal life.
- The profession that Timothy and all the faithful ministers make before many witnesses is a good run; because they profess and pledge to fight the good fight of faith and cling to eternal life; their vocation and their own profession force them to do so.
“fight the good fight” is also a popular and traditional hymn and Christian song, written by John Samuel Bewley Monsell. It is sung mainly to the tune “Whitsun” written in 1864 by William Boyd. Listen to a beautiful chorus rendition of this hymn and find the lyrics below. continuation:
- Fight the good fight with all your might. Christ is your strength and Christ your right. Hold on to life, and it will be your joy and your crown forever.
- Run the straight course through the good grace of God; raise your eyes and seek the face of Christ. Life with its path before us lies; Christ is the way and Christ the prize.
- Put care aside; lean on your guide. God’s unlimited mercy will provide. Trust, and your trusting soul will prove that Christ is your life and your love.
- Do not faint or fear: the arms of God are near. God does not change and you are loved. He only believes and you will see that Christ is everything for you.
The hymn is based on Paul’s First Epistle to Timothy, Chapter 6, verse 12:
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which also you are called, and have professed a good profession before.”
The lyrics of the hymn urge the listener to “fight the good fight,” “lay hold on life,” “run the straight race,” “lay aside care,” and “do not faint or fear.”
What does it mean to fight the good fight of faith?
From this background of chapter six of the church of Ephesians, you can already get some clues and hints about what it meant to fight the good fight of faith in the first century. Based on 1 Timothy 6, fighting the good fight of faith means:
1. Maintain a compassionate character
To fight the good fight of faith, you must maintain a caring character in all circumstances. In the first two verses (1 Timothy 6:1-2), Paul urges faithfulness to God even under oppressive human systems like slavery, a common practice at the time.
For a balanced view of Paul’s views on slavery, read what he wrote to the same church in Ephesians 6:7-9 and also in Philemon 1:8-16. Remember, Paul also taught about the equality of all people before God (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11).
You must not disparage your Christian faith through your conduct and behavior. Always maintain a compassionate character. Remember that God commands us to love one another, and this is important to be right in the eyes of the creator. Fight the good fight of faith, knowing that this also means including love in the recipe.
2. Reject false doctrines
Fight the good fight of faith, having discernment to detect and reject false doctrines. Paul accuses the young Timothy (v. 3-5) of rejecting any teaching contrary to the principles taught by Jesus Christ and the apostles. According to Paul, these false teachings differed from the “words of Jesus Christ” and the “teaching that accords with mercy.” (v. 3).
Paul says that these beliefs thrive in a “unhealthy craving for controversy and friction between people“. Paul was of the opinion that these controversial teachings “produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions“and imagine”that mercy is a means of gain” (v. 4,5).
You should intentionally rejecting errors and controversial teachings. Consequently, it is necessary that you be firmly rooted and grounded in the written word of God in order to detect and reject error.
3. Seek mercy with satisfaction
To fight the good fight of faith, you will seek the mercy with contentment. You’ll wonder, “What’s that supposed to mean?” It means that you will find joy and satisfaction in what God has already provided for you. You will get satisfaction from living a kind life instead of worldly self-sufficiency. The scriptures remind us that:
Because we brought nothing into the world and we can’t get anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we’ll be happy with that. (1 Timothy 6:7-8).
Paul personally lived this principle in his life, and despite the hostility and lack he experienced, he kept the faith. Paul writes:
“I know how to lower myself and I know how to abound. In each and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of coping with plenty and hunger, plenty and want.”. (Philippians 4:12).
Pablo had a taste of both worlds. He knew firsthand what abundance and deprivation meant, and so he could confidently say: “Mercy with contentment is gain“.
Selfishness and greed are ingrained in your fallen nature, and only the power of God can rescue you. Ask God to empty you of your selfishness and give him contentment, and fight the good fight of faith, knowing that little by little you are acquiring the character of God and becoming a better person.
4. Say no to greed for wealth
Many say “fight the good fight”, but they don’t know what it really implies, and everything becomes a series of synchronized rules that, many times, are created and followed for convenience. It is important to know that to fight the good fight of faith you must overcome greed for riches. The Apostle Paul writes to Timothy:
But those who want to get rich fall into temptation, into a trap, into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. Because the love of money is the root of all evil. Some people, greedy for money, have strayed from the faith and have been pierced with many pains.” (1 Timothy 6:9, 10).
In the two previous verses, Paul warns Timothy and the Ephesian church against greed for wealth. Paul calls this covetousness “love of money” and “craving (longing) for money.” A cursory reading of these verses may give the impression that God is against the accumulation of wealth by any means, even by fair means.
But a closer examination of the above verses reveals that God is not against acquiring wealth. When you analyze the text above, the following pertinent questions arise:
- How is money the root of all evil?
- Is God or the Bible against acquiring wealth?
- Is God or the Bible against rich or wealthy people?
How is money the root of all evil?
According to Paul, “the love of money” is “a” root of all evil because its covetousness “tempts” and “entraps” many with “harmful desires,” which lead to “ruin” and “destruction.” Furthermore, he explains that “the love of money” causes many to “deviate from the faith” and trespass from…