1 Timothy 6

CHAPTER 6

 

Various Teachings (6:1-10)

1 Slavery was widespread throughout the Roman Empire, and in New Testament times there were many slaves. Slaves who were believers in Christ were equal with everyone else within the church. But in their master’s home, they were treated little better than animals.

Paul here tells believing slaves that they must obey and respect their masters. Even if the master was evil and cruel, a Christian slave still had to show respect for him. A slave who did not respect his master would be considered guilty of wrongdoing, and thus would bring dishonor upon God’s name and upon the apostles’ teaching (see Ephesians 6:5-8; Titus 2:9-10 and comments).

2  The masters of some Christian slaves were believers also. Some of the Christian slaves did not show full respect to their Christian masters; they behaved toward their masters like brothers instead of servants. These slaves did not work hard for their Christian masters. But Paul says here that believing slaves should show Christian masters even more respect than non-Christian masters. The believing slave should work even harder for a Christian master, simply because he is a fellow Christian. He should serve his master not out of obligation but out of love. He should serve his master not because he has to but because he wants to.

3-5 Whoever does not heed the teaching of Christ is conceited (verse 4). A conceited man is usually an ignorant man. He thinks he knows a lot, but in reality he understands nothing (see 1 Timothy 1:7).

A bad tree bears bad fruit (Matthew 7:17-18). Likewise, a false teacher bears the “fruit” of envy, quarreling, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction (see 1 Timothy 1:3-4). If our teaching and doctrine are false and impure, our lives also will be false and impure. Likewise, if a man’s life is full of envy, quarreling, and friction, then we can be sure that his teaching will be false and impure. Jesus said: “Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:20).

Many false teachers are interested only in winning arguments or in exalting themselves at the expense of others. They are not concerned about defending the truth. Other false teachers are mainly interested in making money from their teaching. In their minds, godliness is a means to financial gain.

Envy, quarreling and malicious talk doesn’t come only from false teachers; it arises also from immature Christians within the church. When such behavior occurs, the church is weakened and ceases to bear fruit.

6 Certainly, godliness does produce much gain—but the gain is spiritual, not material. The gain that comes from godliness does not depend on outward or material circumstances. Only when we are content do we become free of greed, anxiety, and the love of possessions; and only then can we obtain the full benefit and blessing of godliness (see Mark 4:18-19; Philippians 4:11 and comments).

7 It is vain to try to store up possessions on earth. On the day we die, we shall lose them all (see Job 1:21; Ecclesiastes 5:15; Luke 12:16-21 and comment).

8 If we have necessary food, clothing, and shelter, we should be content. To desire to obtain more than we need is not right. God has promised to meet our needs (see Matthew 6:33 and comment). To be discontent with the material gifts that God has given us is a sin. To be discontent is to grumble against God.

However, we should not be “content” with the spiritual gifts we have received; we should earnestly desire to receive more and more (1 Corinthians 14:1). God wants to pour out greater and greater spiritual blessings upon us. We should not remain satisfied with our spiritual state; rather, we should seek to be more and more filled with the Holy Spirit, so that His fruit and His gifts might be more abundantly manifest in our lives (1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Galatians 5:22-23).

9 Possessions themselves are not evil. What is evil, however, is the love of possessions and the desire to accumulate them (verse 10). Three things happen to people who love and accumulate possessions: first, they fall into TEMPTATION; then, second, they fall into Satan’s trap—that is, they are entrapped by many foolish and harmful desires; and finally, third, they are plunged into ruin and destruction, from which their lives cannot be restored (see James 1:14-15).

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. When that root grows, it produces all kinds of evil fruit. Notice that Paul says it’s the love of money, not money itself, that leads to evil.

Those who love money will always wander from the faith (see Mark 10:23-25). It is not possible to love both God and riches at the same time (see Matthew 6:24-25 and comment). Not only that, no matter how rich a person gets, he will never be satisfied. One can never find true peace or joy or contentment through riches. Instead, riches lead to anxiety; the person with riches will constantly be worried about losing them. His riches will be a curse, not a blessing. He will be pierced … with many griefs.

Paul’s Charge to Timothy (6:11-21)

11 But you, man of God … Paul here writes not only to Timothy, but also to all of us who believe. … flee from all this—that is, from love of money and possessions—and pursue spiritual “possessions”— namely, RIGHTEOUSNESS (Matthew 6:33), godliness (1 Timothy 4:7-8), faith (Hebrews 11:6), love, endurance and gentleness (Galatians 5:22-23). Paul here uses the strong word flee. Flee—run away—from the love of things of the world. Flee from every kind of evil (2 Timothy 2:22). Satan is always seeking to lead us into temptation—into his trap—where he can then devour us (1 Peter 5:8).

At the same time we are fleeing from the love of material possessions, we must eagerly pursue spiritual possessions. It’s not enough to say, “If spiritual blessings are given to me, I’ll accept them.” No, we must actively pursue spiritual blessings, and then God will give them to us (see Matthew 7:7-8,11; Luke 11:13; Philippians 3:12-14 and comments).

12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Christians are engaged in a continuous spiritual battle (see Ephesians 6:10-12; 2 Timothy 4:7). In this verse, the word faith means the teachings of Christ, the Gospel. But it can also mean our personal faith; Satan is always seeking to destroy our faith by creating doubt in our minds. In our battle against Satan, faith is one of our main weapons (Ephesians 6:16). Doubt is Satan’s weapon.

Take hold of the ETERNAL LIFE. Our eternal life begins from the time we believe. However, we must “take hold” of it through faith. Satan will try to take our eternal life from us; but if we hold on to it by faith, Satan will not be able to succeed (see John 10:28-29 and comment).

Timothy was called to eternal life when he made his good confession—that is, when he was baptized.

13-14 Paul charges Timothy to keep this commandment without spot or blame (verse 14). This commandment refers to the command to flee evil and pursue righteousness, which Paul has written in verses 11-12. This commandment can also refer to the command to follow Christ, which was given to Timothy at the time of his baptism.

Paul gives this commandment to Timothy in the sight of God … and of Christ Jesus (verse 13). God is always present as a witness of everything we do. Christ is also a witness. Christ made His confession as a witness when He suffered for our sins at the hands of the Roman governor Pontius Pilate (John 18:37). Let Timothy follow Christ’s example and faithfully confess Christ and be prepared to suffer for Him.

Timothy must keep this commandment without spot or blame until Christ’s second coming. Timothy must not only keep this commandment perfectly, but he himself must remain blameless (see 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 5:23).

15-16 God will send Christ back to earth in his own time, and other than God Himself, no one knows when that time will be (Mark 13:32).

Here in these two verses, Paul interrupts his practical instructions and praises God. Paul’s God is not a stone, not an idol, not a myth. Instead, Paul’s God is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 17:14; 19:16). This same name is also given to Christ, because Christ and God are one (John 10:30).

God is immortal. He has no beginning and no end; He lives forever. God is so great, so high, and so holy that we cannot even approach His light (Exodus 33:18-23). No one has seen or can see God (verse 16). But Christ the Son of God, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known (John 1:18). To him be honor and might forever.

How big is the God you worship? If we believe in a small God, our faith will also be small. If we believe in a weak God, our lives will also be weak. But our God is not small and weak. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is the God who gives life to everything (verse 13). Let His name be praised! Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever (1 Timothy 1:17).

17 In verses 9-10, Paul wrote of those who wanted to get rich. Here Paul speaks to Christians who are already rich. Let them not be arrogant. Everything they have has been given to them by God. They must not put their hope in their wealth (see Matthew 6:19-21 and comment).

Money and wealth are not in themselves evil. God has provided us with everything for our enjoyment. Therefore, we can receive His material gifts with thanksgiving. But if we begin to love our material possessions, it would be best to sell them; otherwise, we risk losing the spiritual possessions stored up for us in heaven (see Mark 10:21-23 and comment).

18-19 Let a man be rich in good deeds rather than in money. The riches of this world will perish, but every good deed done for God will remain forever. By doing good deeds in this life, the believer stores up for himself treasures in heaven.¹⁷

Therefore, let the rich believer be generous and willing to share (verse 18). If he heeds this, he will receive life that is truly life—that is, eternal life in heaven.

When Paul talks about the rich of this world, who does he mean? He means all those who have more than they need. By New Testament standards, anyone who has more than he needs is rich.

20-21 Timothy must guard what has been entrusted to him; that is, he must guard the true doctrines and teachings of Christ that have been handed down to him by the apostles. He must not let them be changed or twisted. He must not let any false teaching enter the church. Rather, he should immediately refute any false teaching and turn away from it (see 1 Timothy 1:3; 4:7; 2 Timothy 2:16-18).

 

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¹ Paul is not saying here that all men who act in ignorance and unbelief will automatically receive mercy. No man is completely ignorant of right and wrong; no man is completely ignorant of God (see Romans 1:18-21 and comment). Paul still needed to repent of his sins and believe in Christ. But God will show more leniency, more mercy, toward those who have less knowledge; and He will judge more severely those who have more knowledge (see Luke 12:47-48 and comment).

² For further discussion, see General Articles: Way of Salvation, Salvation—God’s Choice or Man’s Choice?

³ In place of the word overseer, some translations of the Bible say “bishop.” The meaning is the same. In the Greek language, “bishop” means overseer.

⁴ In Isaiah 14:12-15, the prophet Isaiah describes how the devil, or Satan (also called by Isaiah the morning star and son of the dawn) tried to make himself equal with God. Because of this, God’s judgment fell upon Satan, and he was thrown out of heaven.

⁵ Being able to teach (verse 2) is not listed here among the qualifications of deacons. Nevertheless, there are many deacons who are also excellent teachers, and they should use their teaching gifts. Many of these deacons later become overseers and pastors.

⁶ In place of deep truths, some translations of the Bible say “mystery.” The meaning is the same. The deep spiritual truths of the Christian faith seem like a “mystery” to unspiritual, worldly men.

⁷ Even though all this is true, it must be said that some Christians do receive a special calling from God not to marry. Such people will be better able to glorify God by remaining single (see Matthew 19:12; 1 Corinthians 7:7-8 and comments).

⁸ The second reason Christians pray before eating is to offer thanksgiving (verse 4).

⁹ In place of the words who are really in need, some versions of the Bible say “who are real widows,” which is a literal translation of the Greek text. In the context of this verse, the meaning is the same. This same phrase is also found in verses 5 and 16.

¹⁰ See footnote to comment on verse 3.

¹¹ In some churches, there is a special group of women who have been given responsibility and authority to carry out various works of service (see General Article: Women in the Church).

¹² If we make any kind of vow or promise to God, we must be careful not to break it; otherwise, we will come under God’s judgment (Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21-22; Ecclesiastes 5:4-5; Acts 5:1-5).

¹³ See footnote to comment on verse 3.

¹⁴Some Bible scholars think that in this verse Paul is talking about two different kinds of elders: the elders who direct the affairs of the church, and the elders whose work is preaching and teaching. It is reasonable that there be different kinds of elders who are given different responsibilities according to their gifts. For further discussion, see General Article: Church Government.

¹⁵ In place of the word publicly, some translations of the Bible say “in the presence of all.” It is not certain whether Paul means that the guilty elder should be rebuked in the presence of “all” the members of the church, or only in the presence of “all” the other elders. Both meanings are possible.

¹⁶ Nowadays, there are many kinds of medicine for one’s stomach; therefore, it is not necessary to drink wine. Notice that Paul tells Timothy to drink only a little wine—not a lot!

¹⁷ But man is not saved by doing good deeds; he only is rewarded for his good deeds (Matthew 16:27). Salvation is by grace through faith alone (see Ephesians 2:8-10 and comment).