1 Timothy 6:11-16

1 Timothy 6:11-16

[11] But  thou,  O  man  of God,  flee  and  follow after  righteousness,  godliness,  faith,  love,  patience,  [12] Fight  the good  fight  of faith,  lay hold on  eternal  life,  whereunto  also  called,  and  hast professed  a good  profession  before  many  witnesses.  [13] charge  in the sight  of God,  who  all things,  and  before Christ  Jesus,  who  before  Pontius  Pilate  witnessed  a good  confession;  [14] keep  this commandment  without spot,  unrebukeable,  until  the appearing  Lord  Jesus  Christ:  [15] Which  in his  times  he shall shew,  who  is the blessed  and  only  Potentate,  the King  of kings,  and  Lord  of lords;  [16] Who  only  hath  immortality,  dwelling  in the light  which no man  can approach unto;  whom  no man  nor  can  to whom  be honour  and  power  everlasting.  Amen. 

What does 1 Timothy 6:11-16 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Paul continued the emphasis he began in the previous section ( 1 Timothy 6:3-10) by appealing to Timothy to pursue spiritual rather than physical goals in his life. He seems to have intended his instructions for all the faithful Ephesian Christians in view of what he just said in 1 Timothy 6:3 through10. He addressed them to Timothy personally since Hebrews , as a leader of the church, had the greatest responsibility to set the example for the rest. Paul called on Timothy to persevere. This section is the climax of the epistle.
"In chaps1,4Paul establishes the pattern of criticizing his opponents ( 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 1 Timothy 4:1-5) and then following with words of encouragement to Timothy ( 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 1 Timothy 4:6-16), which include reference to Timothy"s spiritual beginnings ( 1 Timothy 1:18; 1 Timothy 4:14). He repeats this same pattern here." [1]