holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith;
This does not mean, that Timothy should hold fast the system of doctrines revealed in the gospel, but that he should have that fidelity a good soldier should have. He should not betray his trust. He should adhere to the cause of his master with unwavering steadfastness. This would include, of course, a belief in the truth, but this is not the leading idea in the phrase" (Barnes 1132).