1 Timothy 6:11-16

A further exhortation to Timothy. The Lord's appearing

Timothy's own true life and bearing are solemnly dwelt upon in contrast to the false and low; see on 1 Timothy 6:3.

thou, O man of God Opposed not only to the -some" of 1 Timothy 6:10 but to the -any" of 1 Timothy 6:3. The phrase -man of God" occurs also with the same reference to the ministry, 2 Timothy 3:17, derived probably from the O. T. ministry of the prophets; cf. 2 Peter 1:21, where the best reading, however, slightly varies the phrase -men spake from God;" and 1 Kings 17:18; 1 Kings 17:24. It marks the high tone of this final address; and is in keeping with the full dignity of title which in both these last contrasts of the false and the true ministry is given to the great Head of the Church's ministry (and given here only in these Epistles) -Our Lord Jesus Christ."

flee thesethings] -Unsound words, and ungodly doctrine," -questionings and evil surmisings," -traffic in godliness and love of money." These three heads of evil, in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th to 10th verses respectively, are opposed by three pairs of contrasted virtues: -righteousness and godliness," -faith and love," -patience and meekness." In the first pair -the sound words," -the words of our Lord Jesus Christ," go to the very root of the matter as fully expounded, Romans 6. -Baptised into Christ Jesus … dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus … obedient from the heart to that form of teaching … ye became servants of righteousness," and 1 Corinthians 1. -We preach Christ crucified … Christ the power of God … of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God and righteousness"; all this being but the working out of the very -words of the Lord," Matthew 5:6, -Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." In the second pair -faith" is as evidently the antidote to -ignorance," -questionings," and -disputes of words," as -love" is to -envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings. In the third pair -patient endurance" and -meekness of heart" are well fitted to produce - godlinesswith contentment," as being the very graces to which -the words of the Lord" assign the blessings of that -kingdom of heaven" which is-godliness," and that -inheritance of the earth" which is-contentment." -Blessed are the poor in spirit," -Blessed are the meek."

meekness The compound word, meekness of heart, a word peculiar here, is to be read. See note on 2 Timothy 2:25.