1 Timothy 6:11 - A Call to flee from Worldly Desires
In the book of 1 Timothy, Paul writes to Timothy, a young pastor, and provides guidance on how to live a godly life. In chapter 6, Paul emphasizes the importance of living a life that honors God, and in verse 11, he gives a powerful command that serves as a reminder to believers.
The Verse
"But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." (1 Timothy 6:11, NIV)
The Context
In the preceding verses (6:3-10), Paul warns Timothy about the dangers of false teachings and the love of money, which can lead to all kinds of evil. He then turns his attention to Timothy, addressing him as "man of God," and gives him a series of commands that are essential for living a life that honors God.
The Command
The command in verse 11 is twofold: "flee from" and "pursue." The first part of the command is to flee from all the worldly desires and false teachings that Paul has been warning about. The Greek word used for "flee" (pheugo) means to escape or avoid something. It is a strong word that conveys a sense of urgency and importance.
What to Flee From
So, what are the things that Timothy, and by extension, believers today, should flee from? The context suggests that we should flee from:
- False teachings: Teachings that contradict the gospel of Jesus Christ and lead people astray.
- The love of money: The desire for wealth and material possessions that can lead to all kinds of evil.
- Worldly desires: Desires that are rooted in the sinful nature and lead us away from God.
What to Pursue
The second part of the command is to pursue a life that is characterized by:
- Righteousness: Living a life that is pleasing to God and reflects His character.
- Godliness: A life that is dedicated to serving and worshiping God.
- Faith: Trusting in God and His promises.
- Love: Loving God and others as ourselves.
- Endurance: Persevering through trials and difficulties with patience and faith.
- Gentleness: Showing humility and kindness to others.
Application
So, what does this verse mean for us today? It means that we should:
- Be careful about the teachings we listen to and the company we keep.
- Avoid the love of money and material possessions that can lead us away from God.
- Pursue a life that is characterized by righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.
- Trust in God and His promises, and persevere through trials and difficulties with patience and faith.
In conclusion, 1 Timothy 6:11 serves as a powerful reminder to believers to flee from worldly desires and pursue a life that honors God. As we apply this verse to our lives, we will be able to live a life that is pleasing to God and reflects His character.
