From love comes patience and meekness. For love endures all things and is long-suffering.
1 Tim. 6:12. Fight the good fight of faith.
That is, stand for the faith immovably and invincibly — by the power of the word and by a blameless life.
1 Tim. 6:12. Hold fast to eternal life.
Here is the great reward for the struggle — eternal life.
1 Tim. 6:12. To which you were also called.
For you are called to the hope of eternal life.
1 Tim. 6:12. And confessed the good confession before many witnesses.
Here the apostle praises his boldness and courage, as one who confessed Christ amid dangers. Or he speaks of the confession that takes place at baptism, when we confess that we renounce Satan and unite ourselves to Christ. Note that what is required is not confession alone, but also endurance, so as to remain faithful to one's confession at all times, so as not to fall away from it even during severe persecution.
1 Tim. 6:13. Before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who testified before Pontius Pilate the good confession, I charge you.
Multiplying fear and making the disciple more unwavering, he calls God as witness, showing that these are not human testaments, with the purpose that, having it always in mind, he would by the remembrance of this bring his soul to trembling. "Who gives life to all things." Here is contained encouragement amid dangers and a remembrance of the resurrection; it is as if the apostle says: do not fear death, for you are a servant of God, Who can give life to all things. "And before Christ Jesus, Who witnessed." Again from the example of the Teacher he draws instruction. As He witnessed, so must we also imitate Him. Being asked by Pilate: "So then, You are a King?" – He answered: "For this I was born and came into the world, to bear witness to the truth" (Jn. 18:37). And much else He witnessed and confessed.
1 Tim. 6:14. To keep the commandment purely and blamelessly.
That is, so that neither in dogmas nor in life would you stain yourself with anything.
1 Tim. 6:14. Even until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
That is, until your death, until your departure. However, he did not say it that way, but said: "even until the appearing," in order to encourage him more, reminding him also of that fearful glory.
1 Tim. 6:15–16. Which in His own time He will reveal.
That is, at a fitting, predetermined time. Therefore do not grieve that it has not yet come.
1 Tim. 6:15. Blessed and only Mighty One.
And the apostle says this for consolation, so that Timothy would not look upon the seemingly blissful goods of this world, but would fix his gaze upon the One alone Who is blessedness itself, in Whom there is neither sorrow nor sighing; so that he would not fear any earthly rulers and kings. At the same time, he prepares him for what His coming will reveal. For He is "the only Mighty One." All of this is said about the Son. And the word "only" the apostle used to contrast Him with men, or with false gods, but not in relation to the other Persons of the Most Holy Trinity.
1 Tim. 6:15–16. King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality.
The Lord alone possesses immortality by essence; angels, although immortal, are so not by nature but by grace. Therefore, they do not have immortality, but are partakers of immortality.
1 Tim. 6:16. Which dwells in unapproachable light.
Can He really be defined by place? Or is the light one thing and He Himself another? Of course, He Himself is also light. Do you see to what degree language becomes feeble when we wish to utter something great? This light is unapproachable, because, on account of its immeasurable radiance, no one can approach it.
1 Tim. 6:16. Which no man has seen nor can see.
That is, according to the Divinity. He was seen and is visible only according to the humanity. Saint John Chrysostom understands it such that in the above-said it is spoken concerning the Son, and in what follows chiefly concerning the Father, although these words are applicable also to the Son and to the Spirit.