1 Timothy 6:11-16: A Call to Faithfulness
The Apostle's Exhortation
In 1 Timothy 6:11-16, the apostle Paul exhorts Timothy, his young disciple, to remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ. This passage serves as a powerful reminder to all believers of the importance of living a life that honors God.
Fleeing from Evil, Pursuing Righteousness
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
Paul urges Timothy to flee from the evil desires and pursuits that can distract him from his faith. Instead, he is to pursue a life characterized by righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. These virtues are the hallmarks of a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.
Fighting the Good Fight
12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
The Christian life is not a passive existence, but an active, intentional fight against sin and Satan. Paul encourages Timothy to fight the good fight of faith, holding fast to the eternal life that he has been called to. This life is not a fleeting promise, but a reality that is anchored in the confession of faith that Timothy has made before many witnesses.
Keeping the Commandment
13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul charges Timothy to keep the commandment of God, without spot or blame, until the return of Jesus Christ. This commandment is not just a set of rules, but a way of life that reflects the character of God. Timothy is to maintain his faithfulness to God, just as Jesus Christ himself testified to the good confession before Pontius Pilate.
The Blessed Hope
15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.
The passage concludes with a glorious doxology, extolling the majesty and power of God. The blessed hope of the Christian is the return of Jesus Christ, who will manifest Himself in His own time. God is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light. To Him be honor and everlasting power, forever and ever. Amen.
