But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Lay 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; who 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 haughty, 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 communicate; 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 the knowledge which is falsely so called; which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
Questions
- Can you safely say that you’re currently in the pursuit of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness in your own life?
- What does it mean to “fight the good fight of faith”?
- Do you know how to lay hold of the eternal life to which you were called? How?
- Have you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses? What is that confession?
- When Paul says in this passage to “keep the commandment without spot”, what commandment is he referring to?
- What does Paul mean when he says, in reference to Jesus, that no man has seen him or can see?
- Do you have your hope set on riches? What does that look like?
- Do you have your hope set on the living God? What does that look like?
- Paul says God richly provides us with everything to enjoy. What’s not included in everything?
- If God were to allow you to become rich (or perhaps he already has), could you focus on doing good; be rich in good works; ready to distribute; willing to communicate; and laying in store a good foundation against the time to come, that you can lay hold of eternal life? What does that look like?
- How good are you at turning away from empty chatter?
- What does grace be with you mean to you?
