Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Timothy 1:18

"This charge I commit unto thee, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to thee, that by them thou mayest war the good warfare;" — 1 Timothy 1:18 (ASV)

“Instruction” (GK 4132) is the same word that is translated “command” in v.5. The aged apostle is giving his son in the faith a solemn charge “in keeping with the prophecies once made about you”—perhaps prophecies made at the time of Timothy’s ordination or of his induction into missionary work (though this phrase can also be translated, “according to the prophecies leading me to you”—there may have been prophetic utterances that pointed Timothy’s way into the ministry). Paul urges Timothy to “fight the good fight [a term from warfare], holding on to faith and a good conscience.” Paul was concerned that he and his colleagues should have a good “conscience” (GK 3287) always. Those who reject this “shipwreck” their faith.