“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.” (1 Timothy 6:11–21, ESV)
Paul affirms Timothy as a man of God and encourages him to look after his spiritual health. He urges him to strive for righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. Paul tells Timothy that faith is a fight. We should remember that a life of faith is not delivered from struggle, a life of faith brings one into a life of struggle, a fight. Paul reminds Timothy of God's call on his life which was confirmed in the presence of many witnesses and tells him to take hold of eternal life. Timothy cannot save himself; it is the reminder that we need the gospel every day and that we must repent and believe the truth every moment of every day. Paul charges his son in the faith to keep himself free from reproach and emphasizes the gravity of this charge by offering it in the presence of God and calling him to faithfulness and obedience until the return of Christ. Paul then bursts into worship elucidating some great truths about God i.e. he is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, immortal, and dwells in unapproachable light.
As Paul concludes, he tells Timothy to charge them not to set their hopes on them and to be generous toward others. The life of this young minister was a life of fighting, keeping, and guarding himself. Timothy had been entrusted with the teaching that God has revealed to Paul and the other apostles, and now it was his duty to defend it and keep it free from additions or subtractions. God’s Word is invested with his authority.
C. H. Spurgeon once scorned the idea that the Bible should be defended, comparing it to the idea of people defending a caged lion from a group of men who had come out with sticks to attack it. He said:
“Many suggestions are made, and much advice is offered. This weapon is recommended, and the other. Pardon me if I offer a quiet suggestion. Open the door and let the lion out; he will take care of himself. Why, they are gone! He no sooner goes forth in his strength than his assailants flee. The way to meet infidelity is to spread the Bible. The answer to every objection against the Bible is the Bible.”