1 Timóteo 6
R.C.H. Lenski · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Timóteo 6
Lenski - In this letter Paul writes to Timothy, his apostolic representative for all the churches in the Asian territory, repeats certain directions he had given to Timothy on matters regarding his work. One of these directions is in regard to slaves, some of whom had pagan masters, others of whom were fortunate in having Christian masters. The idea is not that Timothy did not know how to handle these different cases. Timothy had been with Paul a long time, and Paul had left him in Ephesus (1:3) for this work of properly regulating everything for the many congregations. This letter gives Timothy these instructions in writing to be used as needed in the churches. So he sets down what Timothy is to inculcate in regard to the two groups of church members who are slaves. (See p. 693 Interpretation of St Paul's Epistles to Timothy) Don Anderson - The little book of Philemon is Paul's intercession on the behalf of Philemon's runaway slave whose name is ONESIMUS. He came to know Christ in Rome, and Paul sends back this letter to Philemon begging him to restore Onesimus to his previous place of service. Gary Demarest says: The two admonitions in verses 1 and 2 are directed just to the slaves. In verse 1, those who had unbelieving masters are counseled to continue honoring their masters so that "the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed." There are those who would prefer that Paul would have called for the overthrow of the system, but he didn't. In verse 2, the other situation is addressed in which the master of the Christian slave was a brother in Christ. The likelihood was that the slave would take advantage of this new-found fellowship in the congregation and demand special privileges at home and work. This could lead to sharp resentment if such special treatment was not granted. Paul insists that Christian slaves serve their Christian masters with the special motive that they are bringing service and joy to their brothers in Christ. The classic and expanded application in this situation is found in Paul's letter to Philemon. (p. 215 BORROW The communicator's commentary. 1, 2 Thessalonians, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus) William
1 Timóteo 6
Lenski - “When meeting ‘the truth’ the corrupted mind sees and seeks only objections, when meeting what differs from this truth it sees and seeks reasons for accepting this difference” (8) who suppose (nomizo) that godliness (eusebeia) is a means of gain (porismos) - Here is the MOTIVE of the false teacher - MONEY! (cf Joel Osteen's net worth of $100 million! Can you "connect the dots?"). The irony is that godliness is "God likeness" and the truth is these men are the antithesis of "God likeness," but are of their father the devil! (Jn 8:44).
1 Timóteo 6
Lenski quips that "Paul certainly does not mince words. He does not handle men who teach differently with kid gloves. The modern indifference to different doctrine is unapostolic."
1 Timóteo 6
Lenski says: When Paul says in v. 9, "they who intend to be rich," we automatically think also of some who actually are rich. We think also of such that never "intend" to accumulate wealth with an intent such as Paul describes--perhaps they are rich through an inheritance, because of natural prosperity in business, or in some perfectly proper way. What about these? No, they have not slipped Paul's mind, he takes care of them before he closes, has intended to do so all along, does so now. (See Interpretation of St Paul's Epistle to Timothy) Hiebert notes that "Christianity is not opposed to believers being rich, but it is vitally concerned that they have the right attitude toward their riches and make proper use of it." (Borrow First Timothy- Everyman's Bible Commentary - excellent resource) Wiersbe makes a pithy point that "We may not think that this charge applies to us, but it does. After all, our standard of living today would certainly make us "rich" in the eyes of Timothy's congregation!" (Borrow The Bible Exposition Commentary) "The Bank of England may fail, the Bank of Heaven never can" -- C T Studd Not to be conceited (hupselophroneo) or to fix their hope (elpizo) on the uncertainty (adelotes) of riches (plousios) - Paul now begins to describe a "list" of 7 items that Timothy needs to cover in his exhortations to the rich members of the church at Ephesus. Paul tells Timothy to first tell them not to be conceited, proud, haughty or high-minded because of their high net worth! Don't have a "better than thou" mindset, which is a temptation to the "rich and famous!" Don't value yourself by your worth in gold, making you think you are better than others or closer to heaven (a rich man might think "The Lord has blessed me, so I am closer to heaven than the poor man who is not so "blessed.""). Secondly, the rich are not to fix their hope on their bank account or their stock portfolio, because earthly banks can fail and stock markets can crash and rich can turn to poor in the "blink of an eye" (or the tick of a stock ticker tape)! Fix their hope is in the perfect tense indicating that their fixation might become a "fixed" mindset, a state of mind. Proverbs 23:5 warns that "Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle."
1 Timóteo 6:6-8
Lenski says: As this godliness is a different matter from that of the mercenary false teachers, so it is also "a means of gain" in a far different sense. For the true godliness is profitable for everything, having promise for the life now and for the one to come, 1Ti 4:8 CONTENTMENT When accompanied by contentment (autarkeia) - NJB paraphrases it "Religion, of course, does bring large profits, but only to those who are content with what they have." The Amplified version says contentment as "a sense of inward sufficiency." "Yes" it is inward and "yes" it is sufficiency, but it is not sufficiency as the world defines sufficiency - self sufficiency! It is in fact total renunciation of self-sufficiency and a firm reliance and trust on Christ's sufficiency, via the Spirit of Christ Who indwells every believer. CONTENTMENT IS NOT SELF SUFFICIENCY BUT "SAVIOR SUFFICIENCY" Furthermore, real sufficiency is "SPIRIT SUFFICIENCY", the sufficiency on and of the "Spirit of Christ" (Ro 8:9, 1Pe 1:11) -- Filled with the Spirit, filled with His power, controlled by Him, walking in Him. None of us will ever get this perfect in this life, but sanctification includes growing in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ and thus learning to lean on the sufficiency of Christ in us, His Spirit in us being the empowering Agent He sent us when He returned to His Father after the Resurrection. (Lk 24:49, Jn 14:16-17, 15:26, 16:13) Hiebert writes that "Contentment" is literally "self-sufficiency." A state of contentment makes one independent of outward circumstances, satisfied with one's inner resources, enabling one to maintain a spiritual equilibrium in the midst of favorable as well as unfavorable circumstances. It is not a stoical indifference to or contempt for material needs. The Christian can be self-sufficient because his sufficiency is rooted and grounded in God's all-sufficiency and rests with assurance upon God's providential care. (Borrow First Timothy- Everyman's Bible Commentary - excellent resource) White feels that "contentment" is not a strong enough translation of 1Ti 6:6 explaining that "Autarkeia is more profound, and denotes independence of, and indifference to, any lot; as man's finding not only his resources in himself, but being indifferent to everything else besides. This was St. Paul's condition when he had learnt to be autarkes, Phil 4:11" (EGT, 4:142). The richest person is the one who doesn’t need anything else... He is richest who desires the least. -- John MacArthur John
1 Timóteo 6:6-8
Lenski explains For (1063) (gar) writing "thus = "to make this clearer let me put it this way." The stress is on "contentment," the last word of v.6; and again on "we will be content," the last word of v. 8. Having arrived naked because we are going to leave that way and cannot possibly leave any other way, the few things we really need for our short stay (Jas 4:14) are not going to disturb our minds as godly people; we are simply going to be content. That is our great source of spiritual gain. Those who do not perceive what Paul here says are to be pitied, especially if they try to make their false godliness a means of gain. (See Interpretation of St Paul's Epistle to Timothy) Bible Knowledge Commentary says: Paul is speaking about the complete transiency of material things. They should be freely used and enjoyed to the glory of God if one has them, but in no way do they contribute to godliness. Henry Alford writes "we were appointed by God to come naked into the world, to teach us to remember that we must go naked out of it." Brought (1533) (eisphero [aorist tense = eisenegka] from eis = in or to, into + phero = to bring, bear) means literally to bring into. Used literally (Lk 5:18, 19, Heb 13:11) Figuratively to bring into someone's ears and so to "announce" (Acts 17:20) Eisphero is also used in a figurative sense by Jesus in Mt 6:13 (also Lk 11:4) where He instructs us as His disciples to pray that God would not "bring us into" temptation. Eisphero - 7x in 7v in NT - Matthew 6:13-note 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.' Comment: The request "is not to suggest God causes temptation, but is a rhetorical way to ask for His protection from sin." (NETBible)
1 Timóteo 6:9
Lenski says: The Greek word for "temptation" is itself neutral but gets its sinister meaning from the context. Since it is here followed by "snare," we have the picture of being lured into a snare and thus getting caught and falling. Empipto is in the present tense which indicates this is a continual danger and destination for those who want to get rich. In other words, desiring to be rich continually leads a man into temptation. "Greedy people are continually entrapped by their consuming drive for more. Their pursuit of what they want is their passion. Their sinful behavior becomes compulsive and controls their lives." (MacArthur) Empipto - 7x in 7v - Translated (NAS) as fall(5), falls(1), fell(1). Matthew 12:11 And He said to them, "What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? Luke 6:39 And He also spoke a parable to them: "A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? Luke 10:36 "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?" 1 Timothy 3:6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 6:9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. Hebrews 10:31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Empipto - fall(5), falls(1), fell(1). 50x in the non-apocryphal Septuagint - Ge 14:10; Ex 21:33; Jdg 15:18; 18:1; 1 Sam 29:3; 2 Sam 24:14; 2Ki 7:4; 25:11; 1 Chr 21:13; Ps 7:15; 57:6; Pr 12:13; 13:17; 17:12, 16, 20; 22:14; 26:27; 28:10, 14; Eccl 10:8; Isa 10:4; 24:18; 47:11; Jer 48:44; Da 2:1; 7:2; Amos 5:19 Fall into temptation - "That is, they are tempted to do wicked things in order to accomplish their purposes. It is extremely difficult to cherish the desire to be rich, as the leading purpose of the soul, and to be an honest man." (Barnes 1 Timothy 6 Commentary) Temptation is not a sin but to yield to it is sin. Because they are discontent and want to be rich these people are particularly vulnerable to temptation. The list of temptations is endless - cheating on your tax return, overcharging for work (or charging for work not performed), embezzling funds from the company treasury, writing false checks, theft, gambling, speculation, perjury, printing counterfeit money, robbing banks, even murder (to get the life insurance policy), etc, etc.
1 Timóteo 6:9
Lenski says: There they hang entangled and caught like snared animals. The qualitative relative completes the tragic picture: "such as sink or plunge men into destruction and perdition, . . ." (See Interpretation of St Paul's Epistle to Timothy) Guthrie says: On the two other occasions in the Pastorals where snare is used, it is described as the devil's, and this is suggested here by its close association with temptation (Borrow The pastoral epistles : an introduction and commentary) Snare (3803)(pagis from pegnumi = set up, fix) is a trap (as that which is fixed or fastened by a noose or notch) and which can fall unexpectedly or suddenly (so that wild animals and birds are caught by surprise). Pagis was used in Greek for a “net” (a piece of equipment for a bird-catcher), a “snare” or a “mousetrap.” In short a pagis is that which causes one to be suddenly endangered or unexpectedly brought under control of a hostile force. It is intriguing that the Trojan Horse was called a “wooden pagis.” Is not the desire to be rich like that ancient "Trojan horse" which resulted in the destruction of the city the heart of which it craftily gained entrance?! Pagis describes a trick or stratagem (temptation). It pictures that which comes unexpectedly, suddenly even as a snare entices birds or beasts who are caught unaware. If they could see the trap, they would not be ensnared. Paul is trying to show us the "trap" of the want of riches, lest we fall into this trap unawares! Furthermore, pagis alludes not just to the initial capture but to that which fastens or holds one fast as does the want of riches! Barnes (commenting on Job 18:8, 9) elaborates on the snare noting that "This was formerly the mode of taking wild beasts. It was done by excavating a place in the earth, and covering it over with turf, leaves, etc. supported in a slender manner; so that the lion, or elephant or tiger that should tread on it, would fall through. These methods of taking wild beasts have been practised from the earliest times, and are practised every where. The net was sprung suddenly upon them, and they could not escape. The idea here is, that they who have this desire (for riches) become so entangled, that they cannot easily escape. They become involved in the meshes of worldliness and sin; their movements are so fettered by cares, and inordinate desires, and by artificial wants, that they are no longer free men. They become so involved in these things, that they cannot well break away from them if they would; comp. Pr. 28:20. (1 Timothy 6 Commentary) Pagis is used 5 times in the NT (Luke 21:35; Ro 11:9; 1Ti 3:7; 6:9; 2Ti 2:26) and is translated snare (4x) and trap (1x) in the NASB. While Paul does not state specifically who or what sets the snare or trap here in 1Ti 6:9, the association of Satan with the other two uses by Paul in the pastoral epistles (1Ti 3:7, 2Ti 2:26) suggest that the Evil One is in some way involved. As
1 Timóteo 6:10
Lenski writes that: Rhiza refers to a live root that sends up a sprout, hence “the root-sprout,” the article designates the one person referred to. Jesse was David’s father; in Rev. 5:5, and 22:16 we have “root-sprout of David.” The royal house that sprang from Jesse was cut down; from the root Jesse (appositional genitive) only a tender young sprout would grow up, so tiny and apparently so weak compared with the old royal tree. 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Hebrews 12:15-note See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; Revelation 5:5-note and one of the elders said to me, "Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals." Revelation 22:16-note "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the Root and the Descendant of David, the bright morning Star." Rhiza - 38v in the non-apocryphal Septuagint (Lxx)- Deut 29:18; 2 Kgs 19:30; Job 5:3; 8:12; 13:27; 14:8; 18:16; 19:28; 28:9; 29:19; 30:4; 31:12; Ps 48:2; 80:9; Pr 12:3, 12; Isa 5:24; 11:1, 10; 37:31; 40:24; 53:2; Jer 17:8; Ezek 16:3; 17:6f, 9; 31:7; Dan 2:41; 4:15, 23, 26; 11:7, 20; Hos 9:16; 14:5; Amos 2:9; Mal 4:1. Here are a few representative uses… 2 Kings 19:30 'The surviving remnant (See Doctrine of the Remnant) of the house of Judah will again take root downward and bear fruit upward. Proverbs 12:3 A man will not be established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous will not be moved. (Beloved, may this motivate all of us to be diligent to discipline ourselves for godliness, which is of great gain. 1Ti 4:7-note, 1Ti 4:8-note) Proverbs 12:12 The wicked man desires the booty of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit. (This proverb recalls Jesus' promise to His disciples past, present and future should He tarry =- John 15:16 cp John 15:7 for a "clue" as to whether one is truly His disciple. Cp Ps 92:13-15-note, Cp God's promise to the believing Remnant of Jacob - Isaiah 27:6, Hosea 14:5,6) Isaiah 53:2 (Messianic Prophecy) For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. (Compare Isaiah 11:1-note and Isaiah 11:10-note both also prophecies perfectly fulfilled in the Messiah) (See Related Topic: Messianic Prophecies) Jeremiah 17:8 "For (term of explanation - If you pause and ponder this one, you will discover some wonderful truths for personal application! Compare Jer 17:7. And be sure to contrast Jer 17:5-6) he (interrogate with the 5W/H'S) will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit. Evil (2556)(kakos) conveys the basic meaning of a lack of something and thus it is not as it ought to be. Kakos is found in Greek writings from Homer on in a large variety of associations, but especially describes bad in sense of lacking something and always contrast to good. Kakos pertains to that which is socially or morally reprehensible (BDAG) or that which is harmful, injurious or dangerous. When used of people, kakos characterizes them as filled with godlessness (cp Mk 7:21). Although kakos is sometimes used of physical blemish or disease (Mark 1:32), the word normally refers to moral badness. Related Resources: Why is the love of money the root of all kinds of evil? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about greed? AND SOME BY LONGING FOR IT HAVE WANDERED AWAY FROM THE FAITH: en tines oregomenoi (PMPMPN) apeplanethesan (2PAPI) apo tes pisteos: Longing:1Ti 6:21 2Ti 4:10 Jude 1:11 Rev 2:14,15 THE WRONG KIND OF LONGING and some by longing (orego) for it have wandered away from (apoplanao) the faith and pierced (peripeiro) themselves with many griefs - Some apparently were associated with the faith, the objective aspect of the faith, the doctrines of the faith, the Gospel, not the subjective believing in the doctrines or the Gospel (something that the context shows us they clearly did not do - in other words these are not believers who lost their salvation!) Some (5100)(tis) speaks "Particularly and generally of some person or thing whom one cannot or does not wish to name or specify particularly." (Zodhiates) Some (tis) is used 7 times in this letter to describe a group who reject truth and pursue a crooked course. Read 1Ti 1:6 ("straying from these things [1Ti 1:5] have turned aside to fruitless discussion"), 1Ti 1:19 ("some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith"), 1Ti 4:1 ("will fall away from the faith"), 1Ti 5:15 ("turned aside to follow Satan"), 1Ti 5:24, 1Ti 6:10 ("wandered away from the faith"), 1Ti 6:21 ("gone astray from the faith"). Note the repeated association of the errant course of these souls with the truth of the faith (see discussion below on "the faith").
1 Timóteo 6:11
Lenski says: "ever flee these things" like a pestilence, like poisonous serpents, like the devil's snares. One would cease to be a man of God if he did not so flee these things, if he let them catch him. Alas, some only pretend to flee. They often stay near and think they are at a safe distance until they are overtaken and caught. Continue to flee, do nothing but flee, the margin of safety cannot be too great. (See Interpretation of St Paul's Epistle to Timothy) Saints, ''set apart ones'' (''set apart to One'') are to daily conduct their lives as if they were fugitives on this alien godless planet, daily fleeing from the onslaught of overt and subtle dangers that might inoculate us, that might contaminate our spiritual lifeblood. But we don't flee into a spiritual vacuum but into the arms of our Master, the Lover of our soul for He alone is our quiet refuge from the storms that rage, He alone has the strength to shield us from the forces that would so quickly undo us. Hallelujah. Amen. WHAT DOES THE WORD SAY TO FLEE? (ALL COMMANDS IN PRESENT IMPERATIVE THUS ALL CALLING FOR CONTINUAL dependence on the Holy Spirit to obey): IMMORALITY: 1Co 6:18 IDOLATRY: 1Co 10:14 Evil doctrine, questionings, disputes of words, envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, wranglings, and the love of money, 1Ti 6:11 YOUTHFUL LUSTS: 2Ti 2:22 TO WHOM IS PAUL ADDRESSING THESE ADMONITIONS AND COMMANDS? ''You MAN OF GOD'' So this must be bedrock truth for in fact being GOD'S MAN in this foreign land. TAKE HEED TO GOD'S WISDOM, and live wisely (wisdom practiced). GOING THE DISTANCE I love Pastor Steven Cole's introductory remarks in his sermon on Going the Distance (1Timothy 6:11-12 - As an aside, I strongly encourage you to become familiar with Steven Cole's material which almost reads like a verse by verse commentary! see Sermons by Book)… Question: What do diets, exercise programs, marriage, and the Christian life have in common? Answer: It’s fairly easy and even fun to begin, but it’s not so easy to hang in over the long haul. Eugene Peterson, in his book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction Discipleship in an Instant Society, writes, One aspect of world that I have been able to identify as harmful to Christians is the assumption that anything worthwhile can be acquired at once. We assume that if something can be done at all, it can be done quickly and efficiently. Our attention spans have been conditioned by thirty-second commercials. Our sense of reality has been flattened by thirty-page abridgments. It is not difficult in such a world to get a person interested in the message of the Gospel; it is terrifically difficult to sustain the interest. Millions of people in our culture make decisions for Christ, but there is a dreadful attrition rate. Many claim to be born again, but the evidence for mature Christian disciple-ship is slim. In our kind of culture anything, even news about God, can be sold if it is packaged freshly; but when it loses its novelty, it goes on the garbage heap. There is a great market for religious experience in our world; there is little enthusiasm for the patient acquisition of virtue, little inclination to sign up for a long apprenticeship in what earlier generations of Christians called holiness. (Peterson adds [not quoted by Cole] "Religion in our time has been captured by the tourist mindset. Religion is understood as a visit to an attractive site to be made when we have adequate leisure. For some it is a weekly jaunt to church; for others, occasional visits to special services. Some, with a bent for religious entertainment and sacred diversion, plan their lives around special events like retreats, rallies and conferences. We go to see a new personality, to hear a new truth, to get a new experience and so somehow expand our otherwise humdrum lives. The religious life is defined as the latest and the newest: Zen, faith healing, human potential, parapsychology, successful living, choreography in the chancel, Armageddon. We'll try anything—until something else comes along.") The Christian life is not a hundred-yard dash; it’s a marathon, a “long obedience in the same direction.” Starting well is easy; finishing well is another matter. We all will encounter numerous hindrances. But, like Bunyan’s Christian, those whose burden has been lifted at Calvary will persevere. In the final section of this letter, Paul tells Timothy and us how to go the distance. Timothy found himself in a difficult situation that was seemingly not suited for his timid personality. He had to confront the false teachers who had arisen among the Ephesian leaders by refuting their errors and by teaching the truth. No doubt he was catching flak from many in the church who had been led astray by these men and their errors. So Paul, like a coach at half time in a rough game, reminds Timothy of the game plan and challenges him to hang in there, even though it’s not easy. He gives four commands in 1Timothy 6:11-12 that are pillars for perseverance: Flee; pursue; fight; and, take hold (Ed: And these are all imperatives or commands, not suggestions!): To persevere, a man of God will flee worldliness, pursue godliness, fight for the faith, and take hold of eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:11-12 Going the Distance) FLEE - I didn't see the movie The Exorcist, but I do recall its impact on my community. It left a lasting impression on many people about Satan's power. Even many Christians began to live in fear, swayed by the vivid images of evil. It seemed as if the devil was almost as powerful as God. Is this perspective biblically sound? Of course not. God is the Creator, and all others, including demons, are just created beings. Only God is almighty. It's easy to blame the devil when things go wrong. Although he does propagate wickedness and sin, we must be careful not to conclude that we are powerless against him. We are told in the Bible that the Holy Spirit within us "is greater than he who is in the world" (1Jn 4:4). The Bible also says we have a role to play in overcoming evil and doing what is good. We are to "flee sexual immorality" (1Co 6:18, 19, 20), "flee from idolatry" (1Co 10:14), "flee" from the love of money (1Ti 6:10, 11), and "flee also youthful lusts" (2Ti 2:22). When Satan launches his attack, We must take heart and pray; If we submit ourselves to God, He'll be our strength each day. —Sper To defeat Satan, surrender to Christ. Disappearing Act - What if suddenly one day all followers of Christ disappeared? What if we all just vanished? I’m not talking about Christians being removed from planet Earth. I’m talking about something that we can control. What if suddenly all the Christians vanished from places of entertainment where we, as children of the heavenly Father, didn’t belong? For instance, what if Christians refused to watch TV programs in which immorality masquerades as entertainment? What if we all vanished from the Nielsen ratings? And what if we no longer watched movies that are ungodly or whose characters use God’s name in vain and take God’s standards so lightly? Would our absence make a difference? Would the people in Hollywood notice that we were gone? I think so, but that’s not really the point. Our duty in life is to live each moment in fellowship with God. That means we don’t let anything in our lives interrupt that fellowship. Our close relationship with God is at stake. Let’s vanish from the hordes who are being influenced by ungodly entertainment. And even if nobody notices but God, that’s really all that matters. More purity give me, more strength to o'ercome, More freedom from earth-stains, more longings for home; More fit for the kingdom, more used would I be, More blessed and holy, more, Savior, like Thee. —Bliss If you walk with God, Ayou won't run with the world. PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS, GODLINESS, FAITH, LOVE, PERSEVERANCE AND GENTLENESS: dioke (2SPAM) de dikaiosunen, eusebeian, pistin, agapen, hupomonen, praupathian: Pursue: 1Ti 5:10 Dt 16:20 Ps 34:14 Ps 38:20 Isa 51:1 Ro 14:19 1Co 14:1 2Ti 2:22 Heb 12:14 1Pe 3:11 Righteousness: 1Ti 4:12 Gal 5:22,23 Php 4:8,9 Titus 2:11,12 2Pe 1:5-7 Related Passages: Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves one who pursues righteousness. Romans 14:19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 Timothy 2:22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. 1 Peter 3:11 “HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT. REVERSE DIRECTION PURSUE THE POSITIVE Pursue (dioko) - After a brief negative command to flee, Paul "accentuates the positive" (after "eliminating the negative") with six Spirit and Word energized virtues. Hiebert points out: The negative was briefly stated, but the positive activity is elaborated in the enumeration of six virtues, named in three pairs, which must be actively (ED: PURSUE IS ACTIVE VOICE CALLING FOR DAILY CHOICE!) and energetically pursued. "Righteousness, godliness" point to the attitude of the soul toward God. The former designates the conformity in character to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action, while the latter denotes the devotion to God in reverence and worship. "Faith, love" are the fountal source of the Christian life. "The one may be termed the hand that lays hold of God's mercy; and the other the mainspring of the Christian's life" (Spence). "Patience, meekness" look outward and set forth the disposition necessary in those who encounter the antagonism of a Christ-rejecting world. The former denotes a steadfast endurance of life's trials and persecutions, while the latter expresses that meekness of disposition which makes no high claims for itself nor strenuously insists upon its own rights. (Borrow First Timothy- Everyman's Bible Commentary - excellent resource) Why does Paul use a verb like "pursue"? That makes it sound a little like works righteousness doesn't it? The point is that these Christian virtues will not bloom forth to fruition "automatically" just because we are children of the King. To say it another way, these virtues are not "easily caught" which is why they need to be actively pursued! As alluded to earlier Paul explained to the saints at Philippi, that the development of our Christian character (righteousness, godliness, etc) requires a daily choice to work out our salvation in fear and trembling (Php 2:12+) remembering that we have been given the Spirit to enable us to have the desire and the power to make this daily (yea, even moment by moment) choice (Php 2:13NLT+). The athletic (or hunting) metaphors of flee and pursue remind us of Paul's clothing metaphor for the "well-dressed" man of God - put off and put on (e.g., Col 3:9,10). See William Dyer's 20 Precious Directions for Your Souls where he mentions some "put offs and put ons" -- don't speed read it! Chew it, digest it, live it out in the power of the Spirit and for the glory of our Father Who art in Heaven. Amen In light of the truth that saints have everything necessary for life and godliness and all of God's precious and magnificent promises at their disposal, Peter encourages them to apply all diligence and to make every effort (yes, growth in Christ likeness requires effort)… in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. (Ed: Notice the overlap with Paul's list of "virtues") 8 For (See discussion of terms of explanation - What is Peter explaining? Why is pursuit of these virtues so vital?) if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For (term of explanation) he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore (term of conclusion - Always ask "What's it there for - and be sure to pause and ponder your answer - you are learning to meditate!), brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things (What things? Always seek to interrogate the test with the 5W/H'S), you will never stumble; 11 for (term of explanation) in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. (2Pe1:5-11) Guy King says: In the Bible, the Christian life is never contemplated as a merely negative thing: it is, in all respects, a fundamentally positive thing. And so Paul lays it down here in his advice to his young pupil and comrade: he gives him six things that he should take pains to pursue--we may, perhaps, not unhelpfully, think of them as a sixfold relationship. Gary Demarest - Christian discipleship. There are things that must be constantly avoided--and not just passively. To flee implies that something is after us. Paul's view of evil was active. He was aware of "principalities and powers" at work in the world. While we may not choose to express our view of sin and the devil with the same language and images of that era, we ignore, at our peril, the active power of evil in the world. Many of us were taught that big boys never run away. But when it comes to active evil, wisdom calls for flight as well as fight. Yes, there are times when we must dig in and resist. There are other times when it is best to flee. True wisdom is choosing the right response. (BORROW The communicator's commentary. 1, 2 Thessalonians, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus) Pursue (1377)(dioko from dío = pursue, prosecute, persecute) means to follow zealously after or press hard after something (in context the virtues listed). Run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing. This verb conveys a picture of an intense, diligent, determined, earnest, eager effort in pursuit of something in order to obtain or acquire it, in the present case godly virtues. Dioko paints the picture of going on the track of something even as the hunting hounds would tirelessly pursue after the fleeing fox. Dioko was one of Paul's favorite verbs to denote the pursuit of moral or spiritual ends. (Romans 14:19; 1 Peter 3:11. The verb is used of the pursuit of moral and spiritual ends, Romans 9:30, 31; 12:13; 1 Corinthians 14:1 (pursue love); Philippians 3:12, 14; 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (pursue good for other); 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22, cp Heb 12:14, 1Peter 3:11 (pursue peace) As noted above, pursue is in the present imperative, which calls for this to be Timothy's (and our) habitual practice, our lifestyle. We must continually make the choice to vigorously, earnestly, zealously pursue the Christian virtues listed by Paul. Note that in the Greek text the two commands are placed side by side (pheuge dioke - flee pursue) as if there is no MIDDLE GROUND, because there isn't. We have one soul and it cannot straddle two worAs Steven