1 Timothy 6 (NIV)
Paul continues from the previous chapter with his instructions for Timothy. Here he discusses servants, false teachers, godliness and covetousness, what to follow and what to flee from, instruction for the rich, and some important information for Timothy himself.
1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare[a] of their slaves.
Paul had spoken before about church relations, this here is about family relations. Servants/slaves who were Christians were not released from their labor, even though in Christ there is neither slave nor free. This is referring to a spiritual status, not a physical one. In fact, they were not to resent their masters because they were Christians, but instead to respect them and work in a way that showed the life of Christ within them. In the same way, the masters were not to treat the slaves/servants differently, but to honor them for work worthy of honor. Christian masters should treat their servants even better, considering they should care for every person’s well-being equally as their own. In our modern society, this scripture would be in reference to employees and employers.
False Teachers and the Love of Money
These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
Paul tells Timothy to remove himself from those who have corrupted the gospel of Christ. These people are the ones that refuse to listen to sound teaching, they are insistent on their own views and opinions and as a result are unteachable. Their arrogance blinds them to see the truth, but as always, the proof is in the spiritual fruit in their lives. Where there is controversies and quarrels, envy, strife, gossip, you can be certain the gospel has been twisted. (We are talking about believers here – not the unsaved). There are those who see ministry as a way to become wealthy and will sound convincing for a time – but the fruit will always reveal the truth.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Those who pursue true godliness are content. They do not need wealth or material possessions to make them happy. They have put their trust in God to meet their needs and have no desire for wealth that is beyond that. Extreme wealth leads to temptation and corruption. It is a trap that even good-hearted people can fall into and it leads to destruction. The love of money is the root of all evil – not money itself, but the love of it. Being eager for it, seeking it, and always desiring more than what you have is a sign that it may be taking root in your heart. Be content with what you have in your hands, and God will provide all that you need.
Final Charge to Timothy
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
Timothy is told to FLEE from these things, the love of money, to actually run away hard and run towards righteousness, godliness, faith, love, gentleness, and endurance. Fight for the faith, hold on with all your might to the eternal life you were given. This brings honor to God, who gave us these things. This is the only race worth running and the only fight worth fighting.
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Paul tells Timothy not just to warn, not just to tell – but to COMMAND the rich not be prideful of their accomplishments or to put their trust in their money. God is ever so much more powerful than money – which can be gone tomorrow. Instead, build up a storehouse of doing good, being generous, and sharing, because this is what is eternal. Those things last longer than you do on this earth and they last to eternity in heaven.
20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.
Grace be with you all.
Paul’s final wisdom to Timothy in this chapter is to guard the things that have been entrusted to him. Do not listen to those who would like to fill your ears with nonsense. And above all- guard against deceit! It will cause a loss of faith, and has to many.
Footnotes:
a 1 Timothy 6:2 Or and benefit from the service
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