This passage is a letter from the apostle Paul to Timothy, his disciple and coworker in spreading the gospel. In this passage, Paul urges Timothy to hold on to his faith and a good conscience, reminding him that some have made a shipwreck of their faith by rejecting these principles.
The first sentence of the passage, "This instruction I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to you," suggests that Paul is passing on important instructions to Timothy that are based on prophecies that have been given to him in the past. These prophecies have guided Timothy's path in life and ministry, and Paul wants him to use them to wage a good warfare in spreading the gospel.
The next sentence, "that by them you may wage the good warfare," emphasizes the importance of using these prophecies and the instruction Paul is giving Timothy to fight the good fight of faith. Paul is encouraging Timothy to use the guidance he has received to be effective in his ministry and to spread the gospel message effectively.
The following sentence, "holding faith and a good conscience," is a reminder to Timothy to hold fast to his faith in Christ and to live a life with a good conscience. This is a theme that is repeated throughout the New Testament, as Christians are encouraged to hold onto their faith and to live a life that reflects their beliefs.
The passage concludes with the warning, "which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith." This is a cautionary tale of those who have abandoned their faith and have suffered as a result. Those who reject faith and a good conscience risk making a shipwreck of their faith, causing them to drift away from God and their spiritual journey.
Overall, this passage emphasizes the importance of holding onto faith and a good conscience, and using the guidance we receive to fight the good fight of faith. By doing so, we can be effective in our ministry and be an example to others of the transformative power of faith. The warning at the end of the passage serves as a reminder of the consequences of rejecting faith and a good conscience, and encourages us to stay the course and continue on our spiritual journey with conviction and purpose.
1 Timothy 1:18-19. Wage the good warfare; holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith.