1:18 I put this charge 3 before you, Timothy my child, in keeping with the prophecies once spoken about you, 4 in order that with such encouragement 5 you may fight the good fight.
1 tn Grk “the instruction,” referring to orthodox Christian teaching and ministry in general, in contrast to that of the false teachers mentioned in 1:3-4.
2 tn Grk “love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”
3 sn This charge refers to the task Paul described to Timothy in vv. 3-7 above.
4 sn The prophecies once spoken about you were apparently spoken at Timothy’s ordination (cf. 1 Tim 4:14) and perhaps spoke of what God would do through him. Thus they can encourage him in his work, as the next clause says.
5 tn Grk “that by them you might fight…” (a reference to the prophecies which can encourage him in his work).