1 Timothy 6:11

‘But you, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.’

The description ‘man of God’ is intended to nerve Timothy for what lies ahead. He is to recognise his importance in God’s eyes and that he follows in a noble train. This was a title given to the prophets of old. Deuteronomy 33:1 speaks of "Moses, the man of God", (compare also Joshua 14:6) while the title to Psalms 90:0 is, "A Prayer of Moses the man of God." God's messenger to Eli was a ‘man of God’ (1 Samuel 2:27). Samuel himself was described as a man of God (1 Samuel 9:6). Shemaiah, God's messenger to Rehoboam, was a man of God (1 Kings 12:22) at the time of the dividing of the kingdom, as was His messenger to Jeroboam (1 Kings 13:0). Elijah was a man of God (1 Kings 17:18 and often). And so we could go on. But with Moses, Samuel and Elijah described as men of God, what further need have we of witnesses? And all of them were called on by God at crucial times.

‘Flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentle strength.’ As a man of God Timothy was to flee from the message, behaviour and involvements of the false prophets, and from the glitter of gold. The point of fleeing is to get out of the way of them. Compare ‘flee youthful desires’ (2 Timothy 2:22). Having turned his back on the glitter of gold, and having charged the false teachers to forsake their false teaching (1 Timothy 1:3-4) he is not to get involved in arguing with them, something which will lead nowhere (1 Timothy 6:20). He is rather to follow another path.

He is rather to follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patient endurance, gentle strength (courtesy with backbone). Righteousness involves seeking to have a part in His active saving righteousness (compare Matthew 5:6; Isaiah 45:8; Isaiah 46:13 and often), and subsequently doing what is right in the sight of God. Godliness involves fulfilling their responsibilities towards Him in obedience and worship. Faith involves trusting Him fully in accordance with His word and with His teaching. Love involves letting the love of God flow through him (Romans 5:5; Matthew 5:42-48). Patient endurance involves pressing forward whatever the difficulties. Courtesy with backbone involves gentleness combined with strength. Being ‘meek’ as Moses was meek. For the whole list compare Galatians 5:22.