1 Timothy 6:12

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Fight the good battle of the faith; take hold of never ending life, to which you were called [i.e., by the Gospel. See II Thess. 2:14], [when] you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. [Note: This “confession” probably refers to a person’s acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord and Christ prior to his immersion. See Acts 2:36; Rom. 10:9-10].

Cross References

1 Peter 5:10

And the God who bestows every unearned favor [upon His people], who invited you to partake of His eternal splendor through Christ Jesus, will restore, confirm, strengthen and stabilize you people [in the faith], after you have gone through a brief time of suffering.

1 Timothy 1:18

I give you this instruction, my son Timothy, in keeping with the previously spoken prophecies [i.e., predictions] about you, so that by [following] them you will fight the good battle,

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good battle; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith [i.e., I have been true to my commitment].

Revelation 3:3

So, remember how you have received and heard the message [i.e., they had eagerly accepted the Gospel]; [now] obey it and repent. For if you do not become [spiritually] alert, I will come as a thief [i.e. unexpectedly] and you will not know the [exact] time that I will come upon you [in judgment. See 2:16, 25].

1 Timothy 6:13

I [solemnly] urge you in the presence of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession when He testified in front of Pontius Pilate [See John 18:37; Matt. 27:17],

1 John 2:25

And this is the promise which Christ [or, “God”] has given to us: [It is] never ending life. [Note: This passage may mean that God promised us “the Eternal Life,” that is, Christ, See John 3:16].

Hebrews 6:18

He did this so that by two unchangeable things [i.e., His promise and His oath], (and it is impossible for God to lie), we, who have fled [to God] for refuge, could be greatly encouraged to take hold of the hope set before us [i.e., the hope of never ending life].

2 Timothy 1:9

[It is] God who saved us and called us to live holy lives [or, “to be dedicated people”], not as a result of our [good] deeds, but in harmony with His own purpose and unearned favor. [This was] given to us through [the atoning work of] Christ Jesus, before the beginning of time. [Note: Salvation through Christ was planned before time began. See Titus 1:2; Rom. 16:25; Eph. 1:4].

Colossians 3:15

You should let the peace given by Christ rule in your hearts, since you people were called [to be at peace] in one body [i.e., the church]; and you should be thankful.

1 Timothy 6:19

[In that way] they will store up for themselves a treasure [of never ending rewards] for providing a solid foundation for the future, so that they can take hold of the true life [i.e., in heaven].

Hebrews 3:14

For we have become sharers with Christ, if we hold firmly onto the confidence [we had in Him] from the beginning until the end [of our lives].

1 Thessalonians 2:12

and urging you to live up to the standards of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and splendor.

1 Peter 3:9

Do not repay a wrong action with [another] wrong action, nor abusive [language] with [additional] abuse, but rather be a blessing [to one another]. For the purpose of your being called [by God] was so that you could receive a blessing [from Him eventually].

2 Thessalonians 2:14

He called you [to this salvation] through our Gospel message, in order that you could obtain the splendor of our Lord Jesus Christ [in heaven].

2 Corinthians 9:13

Because you people have proven [yourselves] by this service, the poor Christians in Jerusalem will praise God for your obedient [spirit] in professing [commitment to] the Gospel of Christ, and for your generous contribution to them and to everyone else.

Hebrews 13:23

I want you people to know that our brother Timothy has been released [from prison (?)]. If he comes [to me] soon, I will bring him with me when I visit you.

2 Corinthians 6:7

by preaching the truth; through the power of God [i.e., possibly including miracles]; and by [using] weapons of righteousness in [our] right and left hands. [Note: This could allude to offensive and defensive weapons and means that Paul was fully equipped to do whatever was right].

Philippians 1:30

[So], you are now experiencing the same struggle you [once] saw me going through, and now are hearing that I still am.

1 Timothy 1:19

holding on to [your] faith and a good conscience. Some people have rejected these things, resulting in the “shipwreck” of their faith [i.e., their spiritual life was ruined].

1 Timothy 4:14

Do not neglect [using] the gift [i.e., of serving as an evangelist. See II Tim. 4:5], which was given to you in response to a prophetic message [or, prediction], along with the laying on of the elders’ hands [i.e., signifying your appointment].

2 Timothy 2:2

And the things that you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, you should pass on to trustworthy men who will be able to teach other people also.

Jude 1:3

Dearly loved ones, as I was very eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we share in common, I felt it necessary [instead] to write urging you to contend earnestly for the faith [i.e., the teaching of Christ] which was once and for all delivered [by the apostles, See verse 17] to the saints [i.e., God’s holy people].