1 Timothy 1:18
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; | Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight, | This charge I commit unto thee, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to thee, that by them thou mayest war the good warfare; |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedAfter warning about false teachers (1:3-11) and praising God for his own mercy (1:12-17), Paul returns to Timothy's task. He hands Timothy this charge and reminds him of earlier prophecies about him, so Timothy can fight well. The next verse tells him to hold faith and a good conscience, unlike some who have "made shipwreck." 1 Timothy 1:31 Timothy 1:51 Timothy 1:121 Timothy 1:171 Timothy 1:181 Timothy 1:19
SpeakingPaul the apostle, who names himself at the start of the letter. 1 Timothy 1:11 Timothy overview
ToTimothy, Paul's younger co-worker, whom he calls his son in the faith. Paul had left him to lead the church at Ephesus. 1 Timothy 1:21 Timothy 1:31 Timothy overview
Also involvedThe false teachers in Ephesus whom Timothy must confront. Paul names two who have turned from the faith: Hymenaeus and Alexander. 1 Timothy 1:31 Timothy 1:61 Timothy 1:71 Timothy 1:191 Timothy 1:20
Paul formally entrusts Timothy with a "charge," a command, as one might deposit something valuable with a trusted person. He links it to prophecies spoken over Timothy in the past, which Timothy can draw on to "war a good warfare." The fight is the struggle to keep sound teaching against false teachers. 1 Timothy 1:18Strong's G3852Strong's G3908Strong's G4394Strong's G47541 Timothy 1:3
Timothy was in Ephesus, a wealthy port and capital of the Roman province of Asia. The letter does not say where Paul wrote from, though he may have been in Macedonia. 1 Timothy overview1 Timothy 1:3
The eventsPaul had gone on to Macedonia and left Timothy in Ephesus. The prophecies about Timothy came earlier, but the text does not say when. 1 Timothy 1:31 Timothy 1:18
WrittenTraditional view: about AD 62-64, written by Paul between his Roman imprisonments. Scholarly view: many critical scholars date it around AD 80-110 and think a follower wrote it in Paul's name; others defend Paul's authorship and the earlier date. 1 Timothy overview
HerePaul wants to steady Timothy for a hard job: stopping others from teaching false doctrine. Recalling the prophecies reminds Timothy that his calling was confirmed, which gives him courage. 1 Timothy 1:31 Timothy 1:181 Timothy overview1 Timothy 4:14
In the whole of ScriptureThe letter teaches that sound teaching and godly living belong together. Paul uses military language for this spiritual struggle elsewhere too, saying the weapons "are not carnal, but mighty through God." 1 Timothy overview2 Corinthians 10:32 Corinthians 10:4
For readersFaithful service can be hard, and it helps to remember how God first called and equipped us. Holding on to faith and a good conscience keeps a person from shipwreck. 1 Timothy 1:181 Timothy 1:191 Timothy 6:20
- chargeπαραγγελία
The word means an instruction or command, and in other Greek writers it was used of a military order. It fits the soldier imagery later in the verse. Strong's G3852
- commitπαρατίθημι
It means to deposit something with another or give it into their care. Timothy is being entrusted with something valuable to guard, as in 6:20. Strong's G39081 Timothy 6:20
- propheciesπροφητεία
This refers to prophecy as declaring God's will. In context it points to earlier words spoken about Timothy, likely tied to the gift given him "by prophecy" in 4:14. Strong's G43941 Timothy 4:14
- warfareστρατεία
The word means a military campaign. Here it is used as a picture of spiritual conflict, not physical fighting. Strong's G4752Strong's G47542 Corinthians 10:4
Takeaway
Paul entrusts Timothy with the task of guarding sound teaching. He reminds him of God's earlier confirmation of his calling, so he can fight this spiritual battle faithfully with faith and a good conscience. 1 Timothy 1:181 Timothy 1:191 Timothy 1:3
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-22.
The world around the text
About AD 62-64. Roman emperor: Nero (AD 54-68). Where Timothy was when Paul wrote. A port city on the west coast of today's Turkey and the greatest market of the province of Asia.
Who ruled
- Roman emperorNeroAD 54-68
Emperor over the whole Roman world, including Ephesus, Macedonia and Judea. When Paul appealed to Caesar as a Roman citizen, the Caesar was Nero. Paul tells Timothy to have prayers made "for kings, and for all that are in authority." Acts 25:10-12Acts 28:161 Timothy 2:1-2Suetonius, NeroTacitus, Annals 13-16
- Governor of the province where Ephesus stoodThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms
Asia was governed by a proconsul, a former consul appointed by the Senate for a year at a time, who heard cases in the province's leading cities. During the riot in Ephesus the town clerk reminded the crowd that "the law is open, and there are deputies" (proconsuls). Acts 19:38-39Strabo, Geography 17.3.25
- Jewish client kingHerod Agrippa IIc. AD 50-90s
Ruled territories north and east of Galilee under Rome and had the right to appoint the high priest in Jerusalem. He heard Paul's defense with Festus and told him, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts 25:13Acts 26:28Josephus, Antiquities 20.179, 20.203
- Roman governors of JudeaFestus, Albinus and Florusc. AD 59-66
Porcius Festus sent Paul to Rome and died in office around AD 62. Lucceius Albinus (62-64) and Gessius Florus (64-66) followed; Josephus blames Florus's greed and brutality for pushing Judea into revolt. Acts 24:27Acts 25:12Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203, 20.252-258Josephus, Jewish War 2.271-308
- King of ParthiaVologases Ic. AD 51-78
Ruler of the Parthian empire east of the Euphrates, Rome's one great rival. He fought Rome over Armenia until a settlement in AD 63 let his brother Tiridates rule Armenia as Rome's client. Tacitus, Annals 15.1-17, 15.24-31Cassius Dio, Roman History 62.19-23
What was happening, AD 58 to AD 68
- AD 58-63WarRome and Parthia fight over Armenia
Roman armies under Corbulo took the Armenian capitals Artaxata and Tigranocerta. In AD 62 a second Roman army under Paetus surrendered at Rhandeia, and in AD 63 the two empires made peace. Tacitus, Annals 13.34-41, 14.23-26, 15.1-17, 15.24-31
- AD 60DisasterEarthquake destroys Laodicea
Laodicea, about 150 km (95 miles) east of Ephesus in the same province, was ruined by an earthquake and rebuilt from its own wealth without help from Rome. Paul's letters mention the church there, and Revelation later quotes the city's boast, "I am rich." Tacitus, Annals 14.27Colossians 4:13-16Revelation 3:17
- AD 60-61WarBoudica's revolt in Britain
Boudica, queen of the Iceni, led a rising that burned Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London) and Verulamium before the Roman governor Suetonius Paulinus defeated her. Tacitus, Annals 14.29-39
- c. AD 60-62The churchPaul under guard in Rome
Paul lived two whole years in Rome under house arrest, receiving visitors and preaching openly. The traditional date for 1 Timothy places it soon after his release. Acts 28:16Acts 28:30-31
- c. AD 61-63DiscoveryNero's expedition up the Nile
Nero sent a party of soldiers to find the source of the Nile. They travelled far beyond Egypt and reached vast marshes they could not cross, likely the Sudd in today's South Sudan. The date is approximate. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.8.3-4Pliny, Natural History 6.181
- AD 62The churchJames, the Lord's brother, is killed in Jerusalem
Festus died in office. Before the next governor arrived, the high priest Ananus had "James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ" and others stoned. Ananus was removed after three months. Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203Galatians 1:19Acts 15:13
- AD 62 or 63DisasterEarthquake hits Pompeii
An earthquake badly damaged Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, seventeen years before Vesuvius buried them. Seneca dates it to AD 62; Tacitus to AD 63. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.1Tacitus, Annals 15.22
- c. AD 62DiscoveryHero of Alexandria's machines
The engineer Hero of Alexandria, whose work is dated by an eclipse of AD 62 he describes, wrote up a steam-spun sphere (the aeolipile) and a coin-operated machine that dispensed water in temples. Hero, Pneumatics 1.21, 2.11Hero, Dioptra 35
- c. AD 63-64BuildingJerusalem's temple is finished
Work on the temple Herod began around 20 BC was completed under Albinus, leaving some 18,000 workers without jobs. Six years later Roman armies destroyed it, as Jesus had foretold. Josephus, Antiquities 20.219-222John 2:20Luke 21:5-6
- July AD 64DisasterThe Great Fire of Rome
Fire burned for days. Of Rome's fourteen districts, three were destroyed and seven badly damaged. Nero then built his vast Golden House on the cleared land. Tacitus, Annals 15.38-43Suetonius, Nero 31, 38
- AD 64The churchNero blames and kills Christians
To end rumours that he had started the fire, Nero blamed the Christians of Rome. Tacitus records a "vast multitude" put to death, some torn by dogs and some burned as torches. Tacitus, Annals 15.44Suetonius, Nero 16.2
- AD 65RulersA plot against Nero fails
The Pisonian conspiracy to kill Nero was betrayed. Among those forced to take their own lives was Seneca, Nero's former tutor and the brother of Gallio, the governor who dismissed the case against Paul in Corinth. Tacitus, Annals 15.48-74Acts 18:12-17
- AD 66WarThe Jewish revolt begins
After Florus seized money from the temple treasury, Jerusalem rose against Rome and the daily sacrifice offered for the emperor was stopped. The war ended with Jerusalem and its temple destroyed in AD 70. Josephus, Jewish War 2.293-308, 2.409-410Luke 21:20-24
- AD 66-67BuildingNero tours Greece and starts a canal at Corinth
Nero competed in the Greek games and broke ground for a canal across the Isthmus of Corinth. The work stopped after his death; the canal was finally cut in 1893. Suetonius, Nero 19, 22-24
- c. AD 67The churchPaul's death in Rome
In his last letter Paul writes from prison that "the time of my departure is at hand." Early Christian tradition says he was beheaded in Rome under Nero. 2 Timothy 4:6-8Eusebius, Church History 2.25
- June AD 68RulersNero dies
Facing revolt in the provinces and declared an enemy by the Senate, Nero took his own life. Four emperors ruled in turn during the following year before Vespasian took power. Suetonius, Nero 47-49Tacitus, Histories 1.2
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then the ancient historians who wrote about these years (Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Seneca, Pliny the Elder, Strabo, Cassius Dio). Dates are as those writers give them; approximate dates say so. Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Original Greek words
| English | Greek | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| This | Ταύτην | Tautēn | G3778 | this/he/she/itοὗτος (ohutos) οὗτος, αὕτη, τοῦτο, genitive, τούτου, ταύτης, τούτου, [in LXX chiefly for זֹאת ,זֶה ;] demonstr. pron. (related to ἐκεῖνος as hic to ille), this; 1. as subst., this one, he; (a) absol.: Mat.3:17, Mrk.9:7, Luk.7:44, 45, Jhn.1:15, Act.2:15, al.; expressing contempt (cl.), Mat.13:55, 56, Mrk.6:2, 3, Jhn.6:42, al.; εἰς τοῦτο, Mrk.1:38, Rom.14:9; μετὰ τοῦτο (ταῦτα; V. Westc. on Jhn.5:1), Jhn.2:12 11:7, al.; (b) epanaleptic (referring to what precedes): Mat.5:19, Mrk.3:35, Luk.9:48, Jhn.6:46, Rom.7:10, al.; … |
| charge | παραγγελίαν | parangelian | G3852 | orderπαραγγελία (parangelia) παρ-αγγελία, -ας, ἡ (παραγγέλλω), an instruction, charge, command: Act.5:28 16:24, 1Th.4:2, 1Ti.1:5 1:18. (In Xen., Polyb., of a military order.)† (AS) |
| I commit | παρατίθεμαί | paratithemai | G3908 | to set beforeπαρατίθημι (paratithēmi) παρα-τίθημι [in LXX chiefly for שׂוּם ;] I. Act., to place beside, set before, with accusative and dative: of food, Mrk.6:41 8:6-7, Luk.9:16 11:6; τράπεζαν, Act.16:34; pass. ptcp., Luk.10:8, 1Co.10:27; metaphorically, of teaching, παραβολήν, Mat.13:24, 31. II. Mid., 1. to have set before one (Hom., Thuc., Xen., al.). 2. to deposit with another, give in charge or commit to (Hdt., Xen., Polyb., al.) : with accusative and dative, Luk.12:48 23:46, Act.14:23 20:32, 1Ti.1:18, 2Ti.2:2, 1Pe.4:19. 3. to bring forward, quote as evidence: before ὅτι, Act.17:3 (see Page, in l).† (AS) |
| to you, | σοι, | soi | G4771 | youσέ (se) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; … |
| [my] child | τέκνον | teknon | G5043 | childτέκνον (teknon) τέκνον, -ου, τό (τίκτω), [in LXX chiefly for בֵּן, also for יֶלֶד, etc. ;] that which is begotten, born (cf. Scottish bairn), a child of either sex: Mrk.13:12, Luk.1:7, Act.7:5; pl., Mat.7:11, Mrk.7:27, Luk.1:17, Eph.6:1, al.; τέκνα ἐπαγγελίας, Rom.9:8; τ. τῆς σαρκός, ib.; in a wider sense (as Heb. בָּנִים), of posterity, Mat.2:18, Luk.3:8, al.; specif., of a male child, Mat.21:28, Act.21:21, a,l.; in voc. as a form of kindly address from an elder to a junior or from a teacher to a disciple, Mat.9:2 21:28, Mrk.2:5, Luk.2:48; τ. μου (= cl. τ. μοι; see Bl., §37, 5), Gal.4:19 (τεκνία, WH, txt.) … |
| Timothy, | Τιμόθεε, | Timothee | G5095 | TimothyΤιμόθεος (Timotheos) Τιμόθεος, -ου, ὁ Timothy: Act.17:14-15 18:5, Rom.16:21, al. (AS) |
| according to | κατὰ | kata | G2596 | according toκατά (kata) κατά (bef. a vowel κατ᾽, καθ᾽; on the frequently neglect of elision, see Tdf., Pr., 95; WH, App., 146a), prep. with genitive, accusative, down, downwards. I. C. genitive (WM, §47, k; Bl., §42, 2). 1. C. genitive of thing(s), in local sense; (a) down, down from: Mat.8:32, Mrk.5:13, Luk.8:33, 1Co.11:4; (b) throughout (late usage; Bl, l.with): κ. ὅλης κ.τ.λ., Luk.4:14 23:5, Act.9:31 10:37; (with) in a peculiar adjectival phrase: ἡ κ. βάθους, deep or extreme poverty, 2Co.8:2. 2. C. genitive of person(s), usually in hostile sense; … |
| going before | προαγούσας | proagousas | G4254 | to go/bring beforeπροάγω (proagō) προ-άγω [in LXX: 1Ki.17:16 (נָגַשׁ), Wis.19:11, al. ;] 1. prop. trans., to lead on, lead forth or forward: with accusative of person(s), Act.16:30 17:5; of bringing forth to trial, Act.12:6 (WH, txt., προσάγ-); before ἐπί, with genitive of person(s), Act.25:26. 2. Intrans. (Plat., Polyb., and later writers; see Bl., § 53, 1; MM, xxi); … |
| as to | ἐπὶ | epi | G1909 | upon/to/againstἐπί (epi) ἐπί (before a smooth breathing ἐπ᾽, before a rough breathing ἐφ᾽), prep. with genitive, dative, accusative (accusative most frequently in NT), with primary sense of superposition, on, upon. I. C. genitive, 1. of place, answering the question, where? … |
| you | σὲ | se | G4771 | youσέ (se) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; … |
| prophecies, | προφητείας, | prophēteias | G4394 | prophecyπροφητεία (prophēteia) προφητεία, -ας, ἡ (προψητεύω) [in LXX for נְבוּאָה, חָזוֹן ;] the gift (and its exercise) of interpreting the Divine will and purpose, prophecy, prophesying: of OT prophecy, Mat.13:14, 2Pe.1:20-21; of NT prophecy, Rom.12:6, 1Co.12:10 13:2 14:6 14:22, 1Ti.4:14, Rev.11:6 22:19; pl., 1Co.13:8, 1Th.5:20, 1Ti.1:18; οἱ λόγοι τῆς π., Rev.1:3 22:7, 10 22:18; τ. πνεῦμα τῆς π., Rev.19:10 (Luc., FlJ, LXX, π.; see Deiss., BS, 235 f.; MM, xxii).† (AS) |
| that | ἵνα | ina | G2443 | in order that/toἵνα (hina) ἵνα, I. adverb (poët., Hom., al.), 1. of place, where, whither. 2. of circumstance, when. II. Conjunction, 1. prop., final, denoting purpose or end (cl.), that, in order that, usually the first word in the clause, but sometimes (cl. also) preceded by an emphatic word (Act.19:4, Rom.11:31 (?), Gal.2:10, al.); (a) with optative (so in cl. after historic tenses): after a pres., Eph.1:17 (but WH, mg., subjc.; see Burton, §225, Rem., 2); … |
| you may war | στρατεύῃ | strateuē | G4754 | to battleστρατεύω (strateuō) στρατεύω and depon., -ομαι, so always in NT (στρατός, an encamped army), [in LXX for מההּ hith., יָצָא, צָבָא; metaphorically, 4Ma.9:23 ;] used of the general, to make war, do battle, and (chiefly) of the soldiers serving under him, to serve as a soldier: Luk.3:14, 1Co.9:7, 2Ti.2:4. Metaphorical (cf. MM, ii, xxiii), of spiritual conflict, to war, make war: 2Co.10:3, 1Ti.1:18, Jas.4:1, 1Pe.2:11.† (AS) |
| by | ἐν | en | G1722 | in/on/amongἐν (en) ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; af … |
| them | αὐταῖς | autais | G0846 | it/s/heαὐτός (autos) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; … |
| good | καλὴν | kalēn | G2570G | goodκαλλίον (kallion) καλλίων, -ον compar. of καλός, see: καλῶς καλῶς adv. (καλός), [in LXX for parts and derivatives of יָטַב ;] finely, rightly, well: Luk.6:48, 1Co.14:17, Gal.4:17 5:7, Jas.2:3; λέγειν, λαλεῖν, etc., Mat.15:7, Mrk.7:6 12:28, Luk.6:26 20:39, Jhn.4:17 8:48 13:13 18:23, Act.28:25; as exclamation of approval, Mrk.12:32, Rom.11:20; κ. ποιεῖν, Mat.12:12, 1Co.7:37-38 Jas.2:8, 19; with dative of person(s) (cl. accusative; WM, § 32, 1 β), Luk.6:27; with accusative of thing(s), Mrk.7:37; with ptcp., Act.10:33 (M, Pr., 131), Php.4:14, 2Pe.1:19, 3Jn.6; προϊστάναι (-ασθαι), 1Ti.3:4 3:12 5:17; διακονεῖν, 1 … |
| warfare | στρατείαν | strateian | G4752 | warfareστρατεία (strateia) στρατεία (on the orthogr., see Deiss., BS, 181 f.), -ας, ἡ (οτρατεύω), [in LXX chiefly for צָבָא ;] an expedition, a campaign, warfare: metaphorically, 2Co.10:4 (-τιά, T), 1Ti.1:18.† (AS) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.