Fathers

1 Timothy 6

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Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed. Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions, constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. I command you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession, that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. He alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen. Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life. Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge, which some profess, and thus have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 6:11

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"But thou, O man of God." This is a title of great dignity. For we are all men of God, but the righteous peculiarly so, not by right of creation only, but by that of appropriation. If then thou art a "man of God," seek not superfluous things, which lead thee not to God, but "Flee these things, and follow after righteousness." Both expressions are emphatic; he does not say turn from one, and approach the other, but "flee these things, pursue righteousness," so as not to be covetous. "Godliness," that is, soundness in doctrines. …

Homily on 1 Timothy 17 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Great is this dignity! True, all people are God's, but especially the righteous — not only because they are God's creatures, but also because of their closeness to God. If you are a man of God, then do not seek that which turns you away from God, but what? Do both with intense diligence. He did not say withdraw and approach, but: "flee these things and pursue righteousness," so as not to rob anyone, as those who wish to become rich do. He means the dogmas. Which does not admit of investigation. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

But you, O man of God, flee these things; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. But you, O man of God. Great is the dignity. For all men are servants of God, especially the righteous, not only according to the reason of creation, but also according to that of adoption. flee these things. Both with emphasis; for Paul did not say, "Avoid this one, but approach that one," but rather, "Flee and pursue." pursue righteousness. To have no more than is sufficient for life. godliness. In doctrines. faith. …

Commentary On 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"As for you, man of God, flee from these things." You see, he didn't just say, "Leave and forsake," but "Flee from," as from an enemy. You were trying to flee with gold; flee from gold instead. Let your heart flee from it, and your use of it need have no worries. Do without greed; don't do without concern for others. There's something you can do with gold, if you're its master, not its slave. If you're the master of gold, you can do good with it; if you're its slave, it can do evil with you.

Sermons 177.3 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, but you, O man of God, he warns him to follow sound doctrine and to flee from evil: first, he describes the road he should follow; second, he binds him to it with a command, at I charge you. In regard to the first he does two things: first, he urges him to avoid the sins already mentioned; second, he points out what he should do, at pursue justice. Because a servant should imitate his master, for it is said: as the judge of the people is himself, so also are his ministers (Sir 10:2); he says, O man of God. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗