1 Timothy 6:7

7 For we brought in nothing into this world, and no doubt, that we be not able to bear any thing away. [Forsooth we brought nothing into this world, no doubt, for we may not bear away any thing.]

1 Timothy 6:7 Meaning and Commentary

1 Timothy 6:7

For we brought nothing into this world
Which is a reason both clearly showing that godliness is great gain, since those who have it brought nothing into the world with them but sin, and yet are now in such happy circumstances as before described; and that godly persons should be content with what they have, even of worldly things, seeing they are so much more than they had when they came into the world, into which they came naked; and which should be a quieting consideration under the most stripping providences; see ( Job 1:21 )

and it is certain we can carry nothing out:
as men come into the world, so will they go out of it; nor will they need their worldly substance after death, any more than they did before they were born; and what they now have, and use not, will then be lost to them, whatever gain it may be to others: wherefore it becomes them cheerfully to use what they have, and be content therewith; see ( Ecclesiastes 5:15 Ecclesiastes 5:16 ) . The Jews have a saying like this F15, that

``as a man comes (into the world), (Nyjylxb) , "simply" or "nakedly", so he goes out in like manner.''


FOOTNOTES:

F15 Bereshit Rabba, sect. 42. fol. 36. 3.

1 Timothy 6:7 In-Context

5 fightings of men, that be corrupt in soul, and that be deprived from truth, that deem winning to be piety. [fightings of men corrupt in soul, or reason, and that be deprived from truth, deeming winning to be piety.]
6 But a great winning is piety, with sufficience.
7 For we brought in nothing into this world, and no doubt, that we be not able to bear any thing away. [Forsooth we brought nothing into this world, no doubt, for we may not bear away any thing.]
8 But we having foods, and with what things we shall be covered, be we satisfied with these things. [Forsooth having foods, and with what things we shall be clothed, with these things be we satisfied.]
9 For they that will be made rich, fall into temptation, and into the snare of the devil, and into many unprofitable desires and harmful, which drown men into death and perdition.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.