1:18 I put this charge 1 before you, Timothy my child, in keeping with the prophecies once spoken about you, 2 in order that with such encouragement 3 you may fight the good fight.
1 sn This charge refers to the task Paul described to Timothy in vv. 3-7 above.
2 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.
3 tn Grk “that by them you might fight…” (a reference to the prophecies which can encourage him in his work).
4 tn Grk “for the sake of your stomach.”
5 sn This verse gives parenthetical advice to Timothy, to clarify what it means to keep pure (5:22c). Verse 24 resumes the instructions about elders.