1 Timothy 6:11-16 · 2 Timothy 3:14-4:8 · Titus 2:11-14

The Pastorals: Fight the Good Fight

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1 Timothy 6:11-16 · Titus 2:11-14 · 10 verses

1 Timothy 6:11-16

11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; confession: or, profession

14That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

15Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Titus 2:11-14

11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, hath...: or, to all men, hath appeared

12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; glorious...: Gr. the appearance of the glory of the great God, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ

14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are Paul's letters to two younger men he had poured his life into — Timothy at Ephesus, Titus on Crete — entrusting them with the leadership of young churches in difficult places. They cover the qualifications of elders and deacons, the ordering of household and congregation, the conduct becoming sound doctrine, and the personal disciplines that hold a minister together when the pressure mounts. They are also Paul's last letters. In 2 Timothy he writes from a second Roman imprisonment, knowing that the time of his departure is at hand. There is no self-pity. He tells Timothy: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Three great perfect tenses from a man who can see the end of the road. And then, ahead of him in the light: a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day — and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. These letters are the last will and testament of the apostle to the Gentiles. The crown is in view.