King James Version

What Does 1 Timothy 6:11 Mean?

1 Timothy 6:11 in the King James Version says “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” — study this verse from 1 Timothy chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

1 Timothy 6:11 · KJV

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Context

9

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. erred: or, been seduced

11

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

12

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

13

I 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

Read 1 Timothy 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But thou, O man of God, flee these things (Σὺ δὲ, ὦ ἄνθρωπε θεοῦ, ταῦτα φεῦγε, Sy de, ō anthrōpe theou, tauta pheuge)—'but you, O man of God, flee from these things.' Pheugō means to flee, escape, shun. 'Man of God' is an OT title for prophets (Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha)—Paul applies it to Timothy, emphasizing his calling. 'These things' refers to love of money and the evils it produces (6:9-10).

And follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness (δίωκε δὲ δικαιοσύνην, εὐσέβειαν, πίστιν, ἀγάπην, ὑπομονήν, πραϋπαθίαν, diōke de dikaiosynēn, eusebeian, pistin, agapēn, hypomonēn, praypathian)—'pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.' Diōkō means to chase, pursue, press toward. Six virtues to pursue: dikaiosynē (righteousness), eusebeia (godliness), pistis (faith), agapē (love), hypomonē (patient endurance), praypathia (gentleness, meekness).

Christian life involves two movements: flee evil, pursue good. Passive avoidance isn't enough—we must actively chase virtue. The sixfold list encompasses relationship with God (righteousness, godliness, faith) and with others (love, endurance, gentleness). Ministry requires both negative (flee greed) and positive (pursue virtue) holiness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The title 'man of God' distinguished prophets from false prophets, priests, and pagan religious figures. Paul applies it to Timothy, emphasizing his calling as God's representative. Unlike false teachers motivated by profit (6:5), the man of God flees money-love and pursues virtue. This establishes Timothy's identity: he belongs to God, not to himself or his culture—his values must reflect his Owner.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to 'flee' certain sins—how is this different from merely avoiding them?
  2. Why does Paul balance negative (flee) with positive (pursue) commands—why both necessary?
  3. Which of the six virtues (righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness) challenges you most?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
Σὺ1 of 16

“thou”

G4771

thou

δὲ2 of 16

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

ὦ3 of 16
G5599

as a sign of the vocative case, o; as a note of exclamation, oh

ἄνθρωπε4 of 16

“O man”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

τοῦ5 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ6 of 16

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ταῦτα7 of 16

“these things”

G5023

these things

φεῦγε·8 of 16

“flee”

G5343

to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish

δίωκε9 of 16

“follow after”

G1377

compare the base of g1169 and g1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute

δὲ10 of 16

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

δικαιοσύνην11 of 16

“righteousness”

G1343

equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification

εὐσέβειαν12 of 16

“godliness”

G2150

piety; specially, the gospel scheme

πίστιν13 of 16

“faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

ἀγάπην14 of 16

“love”

G26

love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast

ὑπομονήν15 of 16

“patience”

G5281

cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy

πρᾳότητα16 of 16

“meekness”

G4236

gentleness, by implication, humility

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Timothy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Timothy 6:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Timothy 6:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Timothy 2:222 Timothy 3:171 Timothy 4:12Hebrews 12:142 Peter 1:5-7Philippians 4:8-9

Test Your Knowledge

1 Timothy 6 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Timothy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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