1 Timothy 6:11–12

[See these links for previous posts in this series: First, second, third, and fourth.]

But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

The Passage

Paul refers to Timothy as “you man of God” (6:11), a title given to Moses (Deuteronomy 33:1), David (Nehemiah 12:24), Elijah (1 Kings 17:18), and Elisha (2 Kings 4:7) and, thus, setting him (and all ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ) apart as

one having a special relationship with and an origin in God. … one whom God has personally chosen and sent.

 Philip H. Towner, 1–2 Timothy & Titus, 141.

Christian leaders must shepherd the church, yes, but they also must mind their own personal holiness. Taking the traditional form of exhortation (similar to that of 2 Timothy 2:22), Paul adamantly implores Timothy to flee the dangers of sin so that he may take hold of (or, pursue) righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. Notice that one must be disposed of in order to take up the others. In other words, righteousness cannot be obtained while still clinging to sinfulness. An intentional effort is required in order to move toward righteousness.

The weight of this exhortation is embodied in the fight metaphor. The verb used for this battle is in the present imperative tense, suggesting the continuous nature of the fight at hand. This is not to be understood as antagonistic but rather in the sense of an athletes’ battle with their particular event. Picture the struggle of a wrestler against his opponent or a thrower straining against her javelin. Maximal effort is needed in all cases. Athletes train, focus, and strive to overcome their event—to conquer it! For the Christian, to throw sin away and instead strive for righteousness is a battle that requires intentional effort and preparation, endurance and grit. To call people to a fight of the faith is to call them into warfare.

To call people to a fight of the faith is to call them into warfare.

What spurs an Olympic athlete to train hard is the looming Games themselves. As the training grows all the more grueling and the self-denial reaches new peaks, it is the dream of wearing that medal that often keeps an athlete determined. With the event fast-approaching, that tangible goal aids in the rigors of training.

Paul reminds Timothy to take hold the eternal life, and to remember that it is on the horizon. As the fight becomes tougher, focus on the beautiful end that is promised. Just as the athlete’s training is coloured by the looming Olympic Games, so Timothy’s ministry and life should be tinged with the reality of eternity.

Only a fool dreams of becoming an Olympic athlete without experiencing the struggles of training, self-control, pain, and determination. The life of an athlete is marked by such things. So, why endure such voluntary hardships? Because the prize at the end of the competition is determined worthwhile.

Likewise, the Christian life is one that is marked by trials. Specifically, Paul notes the fight between the pursuit of godliness (i.e. athletic success) and sinfulness (i.e. athletic mediocrity) within the life of the believer. Are the hardships worthwhile? Paul certainty believes they are! The eternal life (i.e. prize at the end of competition) far outweighs the fight in this life.

The Principle

The Christian life is inevitably marked by the struggle between the snares of sinfulness and the pursuit of godliness, but the finish line of eternal life can aid in motivation.

The Application

Proper motivation is a powerful thing. A good coach knows how to illicit amazing amounts of dedication and effort from athletes by properly incentivizing them and helping them to fully internalize the value of the available prize.

As believers, we need to understand just how amazing the prizes of eternal life and eternal rewards are. As an athlete wakes up in the morning thinking about the gold medal they desire, so a Christian should awake gleaming with joy at the thought of the eternal reward they will receive should they complete the race.