Compete well for the faith

[CyrilSebastian]

In The First Letter to Timothy, Chapter 6 Verse 12 states:

     Compete well for the faith.       
  
   Please explain.

 

[Mintaka]

Here’s an old translation of verses 11 and 12:
“But you, O man of God, flee these [bad] things, and run after justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, mildness. Fight the good fight of faith: lay hold on eternal life, to which you are called…”

So basically, the idea is that we’re athletes in the Olympics of faith, and if we’re like runners, we have to run towards good things and away from evil things. If we’re like boxers or wrestlers, we have to fight as well as we can, so that we can win the prize of eternal life.

Basically, you want to try your best for God, whatever you’re doing.

It’s a good analogy, because a lot of people work harder on sports than on life!

 

[kkollwitz]

I also prefer “fight the good fight of faith.”

 

[thistle]

In The First Letter to Timothy, Chapter 6 Verse 12 states:

     Compete well for the faith.       
  
   Please explain.

The D-R Bible translation:

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life whereunto thou art called, and hast confessed a good confession before many witnesses.

Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 12. Fight the good fight. Literally, strive[8] a good strife. St. Paul oftentimes brings this comparison of men striving for a prize. — And hast confessed a good confession before many witnesses, not only when baptized, not only when thou wast ordained a bishop, but by thy constancy and sufferings and persecutions, says St. Chrysostom, though we know not the particulars. (Witham) — Timothy had made profession of his faith at his baptism, at his ordination, and during the whole course of a life which, through many labours and persecutions, had been dedicated entirely to promote the faith. (St. Thomas Aquinas) — Like him let us also combat, if we aspire after the same triumph and prize.