First Timothy 6:11 tells you to run away from the love of money and the pursuit of wealth, and to chase after a set of character qualities instead: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Paul writes these words to Timothy, a young pastor he had trained and sent to lead the church in Ephesus, and he addresses him with the title “man of God,” a phrase used for someone devoted to God’s service.
But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:11 (WEB)
What 1 Timothy 6:11 Means
The verse begins with a contrast. “These things” points back to the greed and craving for riches described in the verses just before it, and the command is to flee, which means to run away quickly, as you would from danger. Paul does not suggest that Timothy merely avoid money-love in a casual way. He wants a decisive break, the kind you make when you realize something is pulling you toward harm.
Then the verse turns to what to pursue. Paul lists six qualities. Righteousness is living in right relationship with God and others. Godliness is a reverent, God-centered way of life. Faith is trust in God, love is care for others shaped by God’s love, perseverance is steady endurance under pressure, and gentleness is a calm, humble strength toward people. The verse does not promise that these qualities will bring wealth, health or ease. It describes the kind of person a follower of Christ is meant to become, and it leaves the results in God’s hands.
The Context of 1 Timothy 6:11
First Timothy is one of the Pastoral Letters, traditionally attributed to the apostle Paul and written to a younger colleague who was overseeing congregations in Ephesus. Paul gives Timothy instruction on church order, sound teaching, and the conduct of believers from every social class. Chapter 6 addresses slaves and masters, false teachers who treat godliness as a means of gain, and the danger of wanting to be rich.
The verses immediately before 1 Timothy 6:11 warn that the love of money leads people away from the faith and into many sorrows. Read that way, the command to flee is a direct answer to that danger. Verses 12 through 14 then call Timothy to fight the good fight of faith and to keep his commandment faithfully until Christ returns. Paul is shaping a pastor who resists greed in himself and models a different way of life for the congregation.
Key Phrases in 1 Timothy 6:11
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.
(WEB)
Jesus says no one can serve two masters and warns against serving money. It helps explain why Paul urges Timothy to flee the love of money and choose a single devotion to God.
Philippians 4:12-13
12 I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. 13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
(WEB)
Paul describes learning contentment in every circumstance. This shows the calm, God-centered trust that the qualities in 1 Timothy 6:11 are meant to produce in a believer’s daily life.
A Short Prayer From 1 Timothy 6:11
Lord, you know how easily my heart wanders toward money, comfort and the things I think will make me secure. I confess that I often chase what does not last. Give me the courage to run from the greed that pulls at me, and help me pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness in the ordinary moments of this day. Teach me to trust you with what I need, and make me gentle with the people you have placed around me. Amen.
