Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
Holding - Keeping hold of "faith;" and "good conscience" (1 Timothy 1:5); not 'putting this away' as "some." The faith is the precious liquor; good conscience, the clean glass that contains it (Bengel). The loss of good conscience entails shipwreck of the faith. Consciousness of sin (not repented of and forgiven) kills the germ of faith (Wiesinger).
Which, х hen (G1520)] - singular; namely, "good conscience;" not "faith" also.
Put away - a willful act х apoosamenoi (G683), 'thrust away.'] They thrust it from them as a troublesome monitor (Acts 13:46, Greek). It reluctantly withdraws, extruded by force, when its owner is tired of its importunity, and is resolved to retain his sin at the cost of losing it. One cannot be at once on friendly terms with it and with sin.
Made ship-wreck. The faith is the vessel in which they had professedly embarked, of which "good conscience" is the anchor. The ancient church often compared the course of faith to navigation. The Greek does not imply that they having once had faith, made shipwreck of it, but that they who put away good conscience 'made shipwreck with respect to THE х teen (G3588)] faith.'