(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) В¶ 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; (14) That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: (15) Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; (16) Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
There is somewhat particularly striking in the name which Paul here gives to Timothy, as a minister of Christ, Man of God. Man of God, by virtue of right, in electing, redeeming, regenerating grace; and, specially, as ministering in holy things. So the Prophets of old were distinguished. 2 Kings 4:1 throughout. And the direction to flee from the corrupt affections of the heart, and the pursuits of the world, and follow Christ and his righteousness, with all the sweet and blessed connections in Christ, is very beautiful.
What a very sublime description is here given of the divine essence? God, in his threefold character of Persons, is undoubtedly invisible, and incomprehensible, and never to be known, or seen, or apprehended, but in the Person of the God-man Mediator. It is the Son of God who hath come forth from the invisibility or Jehovah, to make known all that can be made known of the essence and nature of God. John 1:18. See Colossians 1:20. and Commentary.