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"This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies that went
before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare" (I Tim. 1: 18, 19).
Here "good warfare" is kalen strateian. Is it accident or design that links together the
"committing" of II Tim. 2: 2, with the good soldier (kalos stratiotes) of II Tim. 2: 3?
"Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise (same word as `charge') of the
life that now is, and of that which is to come" (I Tim. 4: 8).
Here we have a reference to the "promise of life" which the Apostle introduces into
II Tim. 1: 1.
"I give thee charge in the sight of God, Who quickeneth all things, and before
Christ Jesus, Who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; that thou keep this
commandment, with spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ"
(I Tim. 6: 13, 14).
What Paul enjoined on his son Timothy, he did himself. In view of that same
"appearing" he finished his course, and knew that he would be "preserved" unto that
heavenly kingdom (II Tim. 4: 8, 18).
The reader will have noticed that the word paraggeleia contains the same root that
gives us the word euaggelion, "gospel". There are four references to this gospel in the
pastoral epistles.
"According to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my
trust" (I Tim. 1: 11).
While the actual words translated "committed to my trust" are not the same as those
examined above, the sentiment is similar, for this gospel was "entrusted".
"Hath shed light on life and incorruptibility through the gospel, whereunto I am
appointed a preacher" (II Tim. 1: 8, 10).
"Remember Jesus Christ, raised out from dead ones, of the seed of David, according
to my gospel, wherein I suffer trouble as an evil doer, even unto bonds" (II Tim. 2: 8, 9).
We note the insistence upon the words "my gospel", and remember that the word
"preacher" in II Tim. 1: 11 is kerux, a "herald". Kerusso, "to preach", kerugma, "the
preaching", as well as kerux, "the preacher", occur several times in these pastoral
epistles.
"A pillar and ground of truth, and confessedly great is the mystery of godliness: God
was manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the
Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (I Tim. 3: 15, 16).
"God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge
of the truth . . . . . Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,
whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie
not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity" (I Tim. 2: 3-7).