There are many examples of people who seem to have started the Christian faith well, but seem to have deviated from the course at some point. In the context of 1 Timothy, these would be the opponents who are troubling Paul’s churches. They stared well, but they have not competed well and are in danger of not finishing the race. When Jesus appears, they face ruin (6:10).
But this collapse of faith is not what Paul expects from Timothy. In the conclusion to 1 Timothy, Paul uses a few sports metaphors to encourage Timothy to continue with endurance to the end of the race and receive the prize to which he was called. Timothy started well by making a public confession of faith, and he has been faithful to that confession as he carried out the ministry to which God had called him. But Paul wants him to also look forward to the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, when he will finally “finish the race.”
Flee!
Timothy is told to flee from the sorts of evil Paul described in the previous few verses and to pursue virtues that are reminiscent of the Fruit of the Spirit. “Fleeing evil” and “pursuing righteousness” is common in the Hebrew Bible. Both are very active metaphors, implying that there are things which can hinder reaching a goal. Flee and pursue are common in both Plato and Aristotle, but Paul reflects several Jewish texts (Flee, Sirach 21:2; Tobit 4:21, and 2 Tim 2:22, flee youthful passions; Pursue Prov 15:19, T.Reub 5:5).
Righteousness (δικαιοσύνη) is one of the most important terms in Paul, in the context of a series of descriptions of ethical expectations Paul probably has “moral uprightness” in mind. To “pursue righteousness” appears in Deut 16:20 and Prov 15:9 (cf., Sir 27:8, but also Herodotus 1.96.2). The righteous person on Judaism was the person who was faithful to the covenant in tangible ways, they doing acts of righteousness.
Godliness (εὐσέβεια) is a very general term which has been used often in the Pastoral letters. Like righteousness, godliness refers to observable responses to God.
Faith (πίστις) and love (ἀγάπη) often appear as a pair in Paul’s letters (1 Tim 1:5, for example). Faith/faithfulness refers to being consistent, keeping one’s promises and commitments. Perhaps the combination of the two terms is more or less the Hebrew idea of hesed, covenant faithfulness. This would be important in the context of Paul calling Timothy to recall the commitments he made when he first began his ministry.
Steadfastness or endurance (ὑπομονή) is occasionally added to faith and love (1 Cor 13:3), the word highlights the sort of attitude one must have in order to complete a task. It is one thing to begin strong, but the one who endures also finishes strong. Again, this is particularly appropriate if Paul is reminding Timothy of his initial commitments.
Gentleness (πραϋπαθία) is rare word in the New Testament although it is related to other words which have the same sense of meaning (πραΰτης is used in Gal 5:23). The word refers to courtesy and humility. In 2 Tim 2:25 Timothy is told to gently correct opponents, and in Gal 6:1 the believer is to gently help another with their burdens. “a willingness to waive an undoubted right” (Martin, Colossians and Philemon, 111).
Like the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians, Paul sets a very high goal for Timothy. But if he is going to fulfill the commission given to him by God, he has to be a model leader in the Ephesian churches. Timothy must make sure his character is virtuous and that he is living his life in order to bring honor to the household of God.
Hi ,
( 1 Timothy 6: 11) says, ‘O man of God, flee these things & follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.’
Christians,should not do the following things in their lives _:
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1) ‘Quenching the Spirit. Despising the prophesyings & doing all appearance of evil.’
( 1Thess.5 : 19, 20 ,22)
Such as,
2) ‘Adultery, fornication, uncleann ess, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance,wrath,
emulations,strife,seditions, heresies ,Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings & provoking one another.’
(Galatians 5 : 19-21,26)
3) ‘Going according to the tradition of men, the rudiments of the world. ‘
voluntary humility. Worshipping angels, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence & covetous ness, which is idolatry:
(Coll. 2 : 8, 18, 3 : 5)
4) ‘Doing alms before men, to be seen of them.’ (Matthew 6 : 1)
5 )’ Seeking to please men ‘
( Galatians 1 : 10 )
6)’ Sitting in the assembly
of mockers.'( Jere.15 :17)
7) ‘Asking foolish questions, genealogies, contentions, & strivings about the law.’ (Titus 3 : 9)
8) ‘Doing profane & vain babblings.’ & denying Jesus. (2 Timo 2 : 12,14
9) ‘Giving heed to fables. Turning unto vain jangling.’Laying hands suddenly on man & being partaker
of other men’s sins.’
(1Tim. 1 : 4, 6,5 : 22)
10) ‘Judging & condemning others.'( Luke 6 : 37- 38 )
11) ‘ Digging a pit for other.
(Ecclesiastes 10: 8)
12)’ Bringing offences .’ ( Luke 17 : 1
13)’Walking disorderly, being charg eable to anyone :working not at all, but remaining busybodies.’
( 2 Thess.3 : 6, 8,11)
14) ‘Causing divisions & offences contrary to the learned doctrine.’
( Romans 16 : 17 )
15) ” Doing works through strife or vainglory. ‘ (Philippians 2 : 3 )
And,
16) ‘ The love of money. ‘
( 1 Timothy 6 :10)
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The Fruit of the Spirit seen in Galatians is evidence of someone who is actively living in and pursuing righteousness. I really enjoyed reading how the term “pursuing righteousness” is an active metaphor. This was good to think about because it is not enough to simply say, “I am a righteous person” or “I am a fruitful person” if you are not actively walking out and pursuing the things of God. It makes me think of the phrase, “You want the fruit, but don’t want to plant roots.” Many people want to look like a Christian, but they do not want to live out the daily life of one. This includes “fleeing” from the things of the flesh (2 Timothy 2:22) and taking up our cross to follow Jesus every day (Luke 9:23). Following Jesus is pursuing righteousness.
We must keep seeking the things of Christ first, rather than focusing only on the benefits of following Him. Jesus makes pursuing righteousness very simple and clear: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). The Fruit of the Spirit is the blessing that gets added when a life is genuinely pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.