I wish to begin our study of verse 19 with the same
Barclay commentary we read in the study of verse
18 as verses 18-20 are covered in this commentary.
Dispatched on
God's Campaign
What then is entrusted to Timothy? He
is dispatched to fight a good campaign. The
picture of life as a campaign is one which has
always held immense fascination. Maximus of
Tyre said: 'God is the general; life is the
campaign; man is the soldier.' Seneca said:
'For me to live, my dear Lucilius, is to be a
soldier.'
There are three things to be noted.
1] It is not to a battle that we are summoned; it is
to a campaign. Life is one long campaign, a
service from which there is no release - not a
short, sharp struggle after which we can lay down
our weapons and rest in peace.
To change the metaphor, life is not a sprint;
it is a marathon race. It is there that the
danger enters in. It is necessary always to be
on the watch. as the Irish orator John Philpot
Curran had it: 'Eternal vigilance is the price of
liberty.' The temptations of life never cease
their search for a chink in a Christian's armour.
It is one of the most common dangers in life to
proceed in a series of spasms. We must
remember that we are summoned to a campaign which
goes on as long as life continues.
2] It is a fine campaign that Timothy is summoned.
Here again, we have the word kalos, of which
the Pastorals are so fond. It does not mean
only something which is good and strong; it means
something which is also attractive and lovely.
The soldier of Christ is not a conscript who serves
grimly and grudgingly, but a volunteer who serves
with a certain courage and gallantry. Christ's
soldiers are not slaves of duty, but servants of
joy.
3] Timothy is commanded to take with him two weapons
of equipment [that we will
study in this verse 19].
(a) He is to take
faith. Even when things are at their darkest,
he must have faith in the essential rightness of his
cause and in the ultimate triumph of God.
(b) He is to take the defence of a good conscience.
That is to say, Christian soldiers must at least try
to live in accordance with their own beliefs.
The message loses its strength and value when
conscience condemns the one who speaks.
~Barclay Commentary
Holding faith - Fidelity to the cause in
which you are enlisted - as a good soldier should
do. This does not mean, as it seems to me, that
Timothy should hold to the system of doctrines
revealed in the gospel, but that he should have that
fidelity which a good soldier should have. He should
not betray his trust. He should adhere to the cause
of his master with unwavering steadfastness. This
would include, of course, a belief of the truth, but
this is not the leading idea in the phrase.
~Barnes Notes
Holding faith - All the truths of the
Christian religion, firmly believing them, and
fervently proclaiming them to others.
~Adam Clarke
And a good conscience -
see the notes, Acts 23:1. A good conscience, as well
as fidelity, is necessary in the service of the
Redeemer. A good conscience is that which is well
informed in regard to what is right, and where its
dictates are honestly followed.
~Barnes Notes
Quoted verse:
Acts 23:1
And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men
and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience
before God until this day.
Now its commentary...
I have lived in
all good conscience - I have
conducted myself so as to maintain a good
conscience. I have done what I believed to
be right. This was a bold declaration, after
the tumult, and charges, and accusations of
the previous day Acts 22; and yet it was
strictly true. His persecutions of the
Christians had been conducted
conscientiously, Acts 26:9, “I verily
thought with myself,” says he, “that I ought
to do many things contrary to the name of
Jesus of Nazareth.” Of his conscientiousness
and fidelity in their service they could
bear witness. Of his conscientiousness
since, he could make a similar declaration.
He doubtless meant to say that as he had
been conscientious in persecution, so he had
been in his conversion and in his subsequent
course. And as they knew that his former
life had been with a good conscience, they
ought to presume that he had maintained the
same character still. This was a remarkably
bold appeal to be made by an accused man,
and it shows the strong consciousness which
Paul had of his innocence. What would have
been the drift of his discourse in proving
this we can only Conjecture. He was
interrupted Acts 23:2; but there can be no
doubt that he would have pursued such a
course of argument as would tend to
establish his innocence.
Quoted verse:
Acts 23:2
And the high priest Ananias
commanded them that stood by him to smite
him on the mouth.
Before God -
Greek: to God - tō Theō. He had lived to
God, or with reference to his commands, so
as to keep a conscience pure in his sight.
The same principle of conduct he states more
at length in Acts 24:16; “And herein do I
exercise myself, to have always a conscience
void of offence toward God and toward men.”
Until this day
- Including the time before his conversion
to Christianity, and after. In both
conditions he was conscientious; in one,
conscientious in persecution and error,
though he deemed it to be right; in the
other, conscientious in the truth. The mere
fact that a man is conscientious does not
prove that he is right or innocent. See the
note on John 16:2.
Quoted verse:
John 16:2
They shall put you out of the synagogues:
yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth
you will think that he doeth God service.
And now the commentary on John 16:2:
God’s service -
The Jews who persecuted the apostles
regarded them as blasphemers, and as seeking
to overthrow the temple service, and the
system of religion which God had
established. Thus, they supposed they were
rendering service to God in putting them to
death, Acts 6:13-14; Acts 21:28-31. Sinners,
especially hypocrites, often cloak enormous
crimes under the pretence of great zeal for
religion. Men often suppose, or profess to
suppose, that they are rendering God service
when they persecute others; and, under the
pretence of great zeal for truth and purity,
evince all possible bigotry, pride, malice,
and uncharitableness. The people of God have
suffered most from those who have been
conscientious persecutors; and some of the
most malignant foes which true Christians
have ever had have been in the church, and
have been professed ministers of the gospel,
persecuting them under pretence of great
zeal for the cause of purity and religion.
It is no evidence of piety that a man is
full of zeal against those whom he supposes
to be heretics; and it is one of the best
proofs that a man knows nothing of the
religion of Jesus when he is eminent for
self-conceit in his own views of orthodoxy,
and firmly fixed in the opinion that all who
differ from him and his sect must of course
be wrong.
Quoted verses:
Acts 6:13-14
13 And set up false witnesses, which said,
This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous
words against this holy place, and the law:
14 For we have heard him say, that this
Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place,
and shall change the customs which Moses
delivered us.
Acts 21:28-31
28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is
the man, that teacheth all men every where
against the people, and the law, and this
place: and further brought Greeks also into
the temple, and hath polluted this holy
place.
29 (For they had seen before with him in the
city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they
supposed that Paul had brought into the
temple.)
30 And all the city was moved, and the
people ran together: and they took Paul, and
drew him out of the temple: and forthwith
the doors were shut.
~Barnes Notes
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And a good conscience
- So holding the truth as to live according to its
dictates, that a good conscience may be ever
preserved. As the apostle had just spoken of the
Christian’s warfare, so he here refers to the
Christian armor, especially to the shield and
breastplate; the shield of faith, and the
breastplate of righteousness. See on Ephesians 6:13,
and 1 Thessalonians 5:8.
Quoted verses:
Ephesians 6:13
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.
1 Thessalonians 5:8
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on
the breastplate of faith and love; and for an
helmet, the hope of salvation.
~Adam Clarke
Now the Geneva Bible combines the first two phrases
and gives commentary:
Holding (m)
faith, and a good conscience
- (16)
which some having put away concerning faith have
made shipwreck:
(m) Wholesome
and sound doctrine.
(16) Whoever
does not keep a good conscience, loses also by
little and little, the gift of understanding. And
this he proves by two most lamentable examples.
~Geneva Bible Translation
Notes
The John Gill also puts the first two phrases
together:
Holding faith, and a good
conscience - By "faith" is meant, not the
grace of faith, but the doctrine of faith, a sense
in which it is often used in this epistle; see 1
Timothy 3:9 and the "holding" of it does not intend
a mere profession of it, and a retaining of that
without wavering, which is to be done by all
believers; but a holding it forth in the ministry of
the word, in opposition to a concealing or dropping
it, or any part of it; and a holding it fast,
without wavering, and in opposition to a departure
from it or any cowardice about it and against all
posers: to which must be added, a good conscience;
the conscience is not naturally good, but is defiled
by sin; and that is only good, which is sprinkled by
the blood of Christ, and thereby purged from dead
works; the effect of which is an holy, upright, and
becoming conversation; and which seems to be chiefly
intended here, and particularly the upright conduct
and behaviour of the ministers of the Gospel, in the
faithful discharge of their work and office: see 2
Corinthians 1:12.
Quoted verses:
1 Timothy 3:9
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure
conscience.
2 Corinthians 1:12
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our
conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity,
not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we
have had our conversation in the world, and more
abundantly to you-ward.
~John Gill
Which some having put away - That is, which
good conscience some have put from them, or in other
words, have not followed its dictates. The truth
thus taught is, that people make shipwreck of their
faith by not keeping a good conscience. They love
sin. They follow the leadings of passion. They
choose to indulge in carnal propensities. As a
matter of course, they must, if they will do this,
reject and renounce the gospel. People become
infidels because they wish to indulge in sin. No man
can be a sensualist, and yet love that gospel which
enjoins purity of life. If people would keep a good
conscience, the way to a steady belief in the gospel
would be easy. If people will not, they must expect
sooner or later to be landed in infidelity.
~Barnes Notes
The Adam Clarke on this:
Which some having put away
- Having thrust away; as a fool-hardy soldier might
his shield and his breastplate, or a mad sailor his
pilot, helm, and compass.
~Adam Clarke
Now the John Gill on this phrase:
Which some having put away
- that is, a good conscience; and which does not
suppose that they once had one, since that may be
put away which was never had: the Jews, who
blasphemed and contradicted, and never received the
word of God, are said to put it from them, Acts
13:46 where the same word is used as here; and
signifies to refuse or reject anything with
detestation and contempt: these men always had an
abhorrence to a good conscience among men, and to a
good life and conversation, the evidence of it; and
at length threw off the mask, and dropped the faith
they professed, as being contrary to their evil
conscience: though admitting it does suppose they
once had a good conscience, it must be understood
not of a conscience cleansed by the blood of Christ,
but of a good conscience in external show only, or
in comparison of what they afterwards appeared to
have: and, besides, some men, destitute of the grace
of God, may have a good conscience in some sense, or
with respect to some particular facts, or to their
general conduct and behaviour among men, as the
Apostle Paul had while unregenerate, Acts 23:1 and
which being acted against, or lost, is no instance
of falling from the true grace of God, which this
passage is sometimes produced in proof of:
Quoted verses:
Acts 13:46
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was
necessary that the word of God should first have
been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you,
and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life,
lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Acts 23:1
And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men
and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience
before God until this day.
~John Gill
Concerning faith - In
respect to the whole subject of faith. They are
unfaithful to God, and they reject the whole system
of the gospel. “Faith” is sometimes used to denote
the gospel - as faith is the principal thing in the
gospel. ~Barnes Notes
Concerning faith - The
great truths of the Christian religion.
~Adam Clarke
Have made shipwreck -
There is an entire destruction of faith - as a ship
is wholly ruined that strikes on a rock and sinks.
~Barnes Notes
The Adam Clarke now:
Have made shipwreck -
Being without the faith, that only infallible system
of truth; and a good conscience, that skillful
pilot, that steady and commanding helm, that
faithful and invariable loadstone; have been driven
to and fro by every wind of doctrine, and, getting
among shoals, quicksands, and rocks, have been
shipwrecked and engulfed.
~Adam Clarke
The John Gill puts the last two phrases
of this verse together:
Concerning faith
have made shipwreck - which designs not the
grace, but the doctrine of faith, as before
observed, which men may profess, and fall off from,
and entirely drop and lose. Though supposing faith
as a grace is meant, the phrase, "have made
shipwreck of it", is not strong enough to prove the
total and final falling away of true believers,
could such be thought to be here meant; since
persons may be shipwrecked, and not lost, the
Apostle Paul was thrice shipwrecked, and each time
saved; besides, as there is a true and unfeigned, so
there is a feigned and counterfeit faith, which may
be in persons who have no true grace, and may be
shipwrecked, so as to be lost.
~John Gill
Now let us finish in the Treasury of
Scripture Knowledge
Holding faith, and a good
conscience:
1 Timothy 1:5
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a
pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith
unfeigned:
1 Timothy 3:9
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure
conscience.
Titus 1:9
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been
taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both
to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Hebrews 3:14
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the
beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
1 Peter 3:15-16
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be
ready always to give an answer to every man that
asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with
meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they
speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be
ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation
in Christ.
Revelation 3:3
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard,
and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt
not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou
shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Revelation 3:8
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an
open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a
little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not
denied my name.
Revelation 3:10
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I
also will keep thee from the hour of temptation,
which shall come upon all the world, to try them
that dwell upon the earth.
Which some having put away:
Philippians 3:18-19
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often,
and now tell you even weeping, that they are the
enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their
belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind
earthly things.)
2 Timothy 3:1-6
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous
times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves,
covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient
to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false
accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those
that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures
more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses,
and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led
away with divers lusts,
2 Peter 2:1-3
1 But there were false prophets also among the
people, even as there shall be false teachers among
you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,
even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring
upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by
reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken
of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned
words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of
a long time lingereth not, and their damnation
slumbereth not.
Jude 1:10-13
10 But these speak evil of those things which they
know not: but what they know naturally, as brute
beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of
Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for
reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when
they feast with you, feeding themselves without
fear: clouds they are without water, carried about
of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without
fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own
shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the
blackness of darkness for ever.
Concerning faith:
1 Timothy 4:1-2
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the
latter times some shall depart from the faith,
giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of
devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their
conscience seared with a hot iron;
1 Corinthians 11:19
For there must be also heresies among you, that they
which are approved may be made manifest among you.
Galatians 1:6-8
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that
called you into the grace of Christ unto another
gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that
trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any
other gospel unto you than that which we have
preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Galatians 5:4
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of
you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from
grace.
2 Timothy 4:4
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth,
and shall be turned unto fables.
Hebrews 6:4-6
4 For it is impossible for those who were once
enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift,
and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the
powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto
repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the
Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
1 John 2:19
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for
if they had been of us, they would no doubt have
continued with us: but they went out, that they
might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Made shipwreck:
1 Timothy 6:9
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and
a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,
which drown men in destruction and perdition. |