1 Timothy 6:11

“But thou, O man of God, etc.] Not only by creation, as every man is; nor merely by special grace, as everyone is, that is chosen of God, redeemed by Christ, and regenerated and sanctified by the Spirit; but by his peculiar office, as an evangelist and minister of the word, being qualified for, and devoted to, and employed in the service of God. The phrase is taken out of the Old Testament, where the prophets, Elijah and Elisha, are so called, (<120109>2 Kings 1:9 4:7,9), flee these things; the Arabic version reads “these abominations”; namely, all questions and strifes of words, from whence so many evils follow, (<540604>1 Timothy 6:4,5) and all worldly gain, selfish interest, and mercenary…”

“But thou--in contrast to the "some" (Ti1 6:10). man of God--who hast God as thy true riches (Gen 15:1; Psa 16:5; Lam 3:24). Applying primarily to Timothy as a minister (compare Pe2 1:21), just as the term was used of Moses (Deu 33:1), Samuel (Sa1 9:6), Elijah, and Elisha; but, as the exhortation is as to duties incumbent also on all Christians, the term applies secondarily to him (so Ti2 3:17) as a Christian man born of God (Jam 1:18; Jo1 5:1), no longer a man of the world raised above earthly things; therefore, God's property, not his own, bought with a price, and so having parted with all right in himself: Christ's work is to be his great work: he is to be Christ's living representative.…”

“But thou, O man of God, flee these things - These allurements of wealth, and these sad consequences which the love of gold produces. And follow after righteousness, ... - Make these the grand object of your pursuit. On the virtues here enumerated, see the notes on Galatians 5:22-23. return to 'Top of Page'”

“But thou, O man of God - Whatever all the world else do. A man of God is either a prophet, a messenger of God, or a man devoted to God; a man of another world. Flee - As from a serpent, instead of coveting these things. Follow after righteousness - The whole image of God; though sometimes this word is used, not in the general, but in the particular, acceptation, meaning only that single branch of it which is termed justice. Faith - Which is also taken here in the general and full sense; namely, a divine, supernatural sight of God, chiefly in respect of his mercy in Christ. This faith is the foundation of righteousness, the support of godliness, the root of every grace of the Spirit. Love -…”

“6:11-16 Before ending the discussion of wealth, Paul exhorts Timothy to live beyond reproach, commanding him to flee from desire for wealth.”

“But: Ti2 2:22 O man: Ti1 6:20; Deu 33:1; Sa1 2:27, Sa1 9:6; Kg1 13:1, Kg1 13:26, Kg1 17:18, Kg1 17:24, Kg1 20:28; Kg2 1:9, Kg2 1:13; Kg2 5:20, Kg2 23:17; Ch1 23:14; Ch2 8:14; Neh 12:24, Neh 12:36; Jer 35:4; Ti2 3:17 flee: Co1 6:18, Co1 10:14; Ti2 2:22 and: Ti1 5:10; Deu 16:20; Psa 34:14, Psa 38:20; Isa 51:1; Rom 14:19; Co1 14:1; Ti2 2:22; Heb 12:14; Pe1 3:11 righteousness: Ti1 4:12; Gal 5:22, Gal 5:23; Phi 4:8, Phi 4:9; Tit 2:11, Tit 2:12; Pe2 1:5-7 1 Timothy 6:12”