"Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck."
1 Timothy 1:19
Paul, in the previous verse, has told Timothy as he fights for the faith, to “war a good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18). In our verse for today, he tells of two weapons that must be had to fight well.
“Holding faith,”
It’s not enough to merely “have faith,” but he must be “holding fast” to it. Paul also told Timothy to “hold fast” to right words (right doctrine).
“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13).
To be a good soldier, Timothy must be faithful to stand for the faith.
“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,”[1] (Barnes).
What we stand for, and put our lives on the line for, is a matter of personal belief and convictions.
“Timothy had to have the faith that God was in control, and would guide him as Timothy continued to seek him” [2] (Guzik).
“And a good conscience;”
This is the second weapon, a good conscience. It is vital for the man or woman of faith to have this if they will stand for the truth. Our conscience has to do with our relationship with others. A man cannot pay his bills late and then preach to the businessman. He cannot lie to his neighbor and then witness to him. To do so is the height of hypocrisy. A clear conscience is a vital weapon for the believer.
“He had to have a good conscience, because his enemies would be attacking him, and if Timothy had not conducted himself rightly, they would have good reason to attack. A good conscience isn’t just a conscience that approves us, but one that approves us because we’ve been doing what is right – it is connected with good conduct” [3] (Guzik).
“Which some having put away concerning faith.”
Some have given up these weapons, to their detriment.
“Having thrust away; as a fool-hardy soldier might his shield and his breastplate, or a mad sailor his pilot, helm, and compass”[4] (Clarke).
“Have made shipwreck.”
To throw away the faith and a good conscience will wreck a man’s life and ministry. Others have done it, believer be wise, keep your faith and your good conscience. It is always worth the effort to do right!
[1] Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Guzik, David, David Guzik’s Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[3] Guzik, ibid.
[4] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.