1 Timothy 6:7

7 For we brought nothing into the world, and[a] we can take nothing out.

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 and constant disagreement among men whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain.
6 But godliness with contentment is a great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out.
8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.
9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Other mss add it is clear that
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