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1 Timothy 6:12
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12 Fight [agonizomai] the good [kalos] fight [agon] of faith, [pistis] lay hold on [epilambanomai] eternal [aionios] life, [zoe] whereunto [eis] [hos] thou art [kaleo] also [kai] called, [kaleo] and [kai] hast professed [homologeo] a good [kalos] profession [homologia] before [enopion] many [polus] witnesses. [martus] KJV-Interlinear
12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. NASB
‘Take hold of eternal life,’ means what exactly? To be saved? To be saved over and over again?
No.
‘Take hold,’ means to understand, gain an understanding, get a life, get a grip on life, grow up and understand what reality is all about. That life applies to more than just this life, it applies to your eternal existence which will follow this life.
And in that light, then eternal life is a reference to just what eternal life really means.
Often times the Bible will make the statement, ‘Behold,’ or some other similar word which means listen, look, learn, pay attention, and so forth.
Life is a battle between good and evil. God represents good and all that it offers (your success). Satan represents evil and all that it offers (namely nothing, or your failure in everything).
Paul refers to the Christian life, "suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus" (2 Tim 2:3).
Or, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim 4:7).
Both of these carry military connotations. There are many such examples in the Old Testament, in battles between the Israelites and their enemies.
Unfortunately too many people do not take their spiritual life seriously, or they discount it to something of their own definition, or to something that is more convenient to their way of life, without interfering in their ‘worldly’ way of life. And as such they are no different than a soldier or student that does not want to train or do homework.
The result? They are not prepared for the fight, they are not prepared for life. They lose.
But Paul tells us all, here, to fight the good fight.
Fight, ‘agonaizomai,’ means to agonize. It was used to describe the concentration, discipline, conviction, preparation and effort needed to win.
The second fight, ‘agon,’ is from the same root as the verb. It refers to the spiritual conflict with Satan's kingdom, in which the man of God must play his part. And you play your part by laying hold of your eternal life. Namely seizing control of and advancing in your spiritual life through a daily study of the scriptures, through instruction.
Faith, here is a reference to the sum total of your spiritual life. So, persevere and adhere, and pursue your faith, your learning, your understanding, your growth to maturity.
And why are you to do this? Because you were called. And how were you called? By means of the salvation and spiritual life offered to you by God, in which you took for yourself through faith (for salvation), and spiritual growth to maturity (through study after salvation).
And in which you profess the good profession.
To profess is to cite, to name, to mention, to demonstrate.
The profession is your acknowledgement by means of your doing what God wants you to do. Namely, to study, to learn, to advance in your spiritual life.
And this is done before ‘many’ witnesses. Or all of heaven.
Angels observe all that humanity does. Angels observe your life in its complete detail. And though there may be some people who will see your life, they cannot see all of your life. But heaven can. And in heaven there are millions, billions, even trillions of angels who are a witness to your life.
You cannot explain away your failures, because there are witnesses that know all of your tricks, and gimmicks, rationales, and excuses
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