Bottom line up front: “But as for you . . .”

Historical Context: The Apostle Paul was writing to his child in the faith, Timothy (1 Timothy 1:2, ESV). Paul was writing from his prison cell in Rome, Italy. This is one of the pastoral epistles—a letter from an elder-shepherd to a fellow elder-shepherd. And it is filled with warnings, nuggets of wisdom, for the elder-shepherd Timothy, and for all who are to be elder-shepherds.

Here is just some of the wisdom Paul provides Timothy:

• You are in nothing less than a battle of good vs. evil, light vs. darkness (1 Tim 6:12)
  
• Many will demand soft sub-biblical leaders instead of the unvarnished truth of Scripture; expect this (2 Tim 4:3-5)
• Conceit, pride, and envy of others characterize false elder-shepherds (1 Tim 6:4-8)
  
• Machinations for wealth and status characterize false elder-shepherds (1 Tim 6:4-10)
• Keep first things first (1 Tim 6:11-16).

Teaching: “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things” (1 Tim 6:11, ESV).

Encouragement: The Apostle Paul, arguably the greatest follower of Christ to have ever lived, a man responsible for about 2/3 of the New Testament, a man who endured persecutions that stagger the mind, loved his child in the Christian faith, Timothy; therefore, he warned him. And he warned him with this beautiful coordinating conjunction: “But as for you . . .” In other words, he was saying, “Timothy, my dear son in the faith, you are headed into warfare. Know your enemy is Satan and his legions. Know that up front. Resist the allures of the world and keep Christ foremost in your thoughts.”

“But as for you . . .”