1 Timothy 6:11-16
“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” 1 Timothy 6:11
“Man of God”
The term “man of God” in the Bible is mostly an Old Testament expression. Moses was called “the man of God” several times, as well as David, Elijah, Elisha, and several other lesser-known men. It was used to refer to prophets and others called and dedicated to the service of God. These were usually men who had to deliver hard truths but did it because they valued the truth.
Paul is calling on Timothy’s jewish training, essentially telling him: “You are God’s man now, Timothy. This is how God’s man acts.”
Flee
“But thou, O man of God, flee these things;…” 1 Timothy 6:11a
The pull of money is very strong. In our day money is a god. Even among Christians, money is viewed as the sign of God’s blessing. While God does bless with money, Paul has made it very clear in 1 Tim 6:3-10 that money isn’t the goal; godliness with contentment is the greatest gain. (See last week’s post for more on this.)
Timothy will need to flee the fascination of being rich and the love of money. The meaning of “flee” isn’t vague here: run away! The Man of God cannot be true to the message God has given him if he is seeking personal wealth.
Jesus said,
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (deified money).” Matthew 6:24
The application is clear to any that would be people of God today. You cannot worship money and be faithful to the call of God in your life. Flee the “gain is godliness” mentality.
But just as there was something for Timothy to flee, there would also be some things to follow.
Follow
“…and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” 1 Timothy 6:11b
Follow after righteousness. We have God’s righteousness counted to us when we are saved. This righteousness will change how we live.
Follow after godliness. Here it is again, godliness. This is acting toward God and others in a way that shows the change God has made in us.
Follow after faith. Faith involves all of what it means to be a Christian. Simply: Faith is obedience to God based on trust in His person and character.
Follow after love. The Christ-like words and actions of love.
Follow after patience. Cheerfully facing each and every hardship of life.
Follow after meekness. Approaching life with humility and gentleness.
While these virtues may not lead you to more money or prestige, they are the indicators of a Man or Woman of God. They are also inseparably tied to the character of Jesus Christ.
This character is generally peaceful, though not passive. Make no mistake, in following these things the Man or Woman of God will still have a fight on their hands.
Fight
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12
The words “fight the good fight of faith” may bring different things to mind: The Crusades, debating with friends “who are wrong,” or like is meant here: to struggle for the right teaching of God’s word.
The cause of truth is a battle. The enemy has drawn lines of battle and has made no mystery of his intent. The desire to be rich and the love of money will draw people from the truth, and they will be aggressive about it. And though the “gain is godliness” myth will draw some away, the cause of truth has the greatest champion: Christ. Notice the next several verses.
Jesus is the Example
13 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; 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:13–16
As you read these words I hope you feel the weight behind them, the deep care Paul felt for this young preacher. And even more, the adoration that Paul felt for his Savior.
This charge for Timothy to stay true to the teaching of Christ ends with a Song of praise to Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb 12:2). We fight because we know we can win, we know we can win because Jesus won. We can be confident because He is faithful and powerful.
Your Turn
Are you a Person of God?
How is this shown in your Fleeing?
Do you run away from the “gain is godliness” scam?
How is this shown in your Following?
Are you seeking these Christlike attitudes?
And in your Fighting?
Do you fight like Jesus HAS won? Or do you fight like you might win?
Pray for God to reveal any ground that desire of riches and love of money hold in your devotion and turn that ground back over to God.
Read the Gospels again to see the character of Jesus and then, by God’s grace, devote yourself to emulating that character.
