1 Timothy 6:1-21

by | Jan 29, 2025 | 1 Timothy, New Testament

6:1 Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.
Paul speaks of Christian slaves.
Paul doesn’t debate the rightness or wrongness of slavery.
He doesn’t recommend an overthrow, or a political upheaval.

The Bible speaks about the judgment which God will put upon those who afflict others.
And as wrong as slavery is, there can be a right way of enduring it, and a wrong way of enduring it.
To try to change slavery would not have been wrong.
But for a Christian to be an ungodly slave would have been definitely wrong.
See Titus 2:9,10

A Christian slave might feel inwardly superior to his master.
He might despise him for his sinfulness, or spiritual blindness.
There was a danger of feeling superior, though they were a slave.

This can happen to all of us, as we may find ourselves below someone in rank of life, but elevated in the matters of God.
It is easier to do right when we feel recognized and appreciated.
Much harder when we feel despised and not esteemed.
SMUDGBUSTERS
Corrie ten Boom
The whole reason is to not give unbelieving masters, bosses, etc., reason to speak against Jesus.
Rather, give them a reason to admire Christ, and those who follow Him.

6:2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
There is another kind of spiritual hypocrisy that we can experience.
Thinking our mutual faith absolves us of Christian duty.

Again, Paul does not debate the validity of slavery.
He presses home the importance of being a servant of God and the brethren.
That is always important.

The reason to serve Christian brothers would be b/c the kingdom would be benefitted by their service. Timothy was teach these things
NOTE- It can be difficult when we are ill treated by those over us.
But service to God comes before our ill-treatment.
This is when we will truly be measured and tried by fire in our faith.
Mat 5:44-48 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
6:3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,
The Greek (indicative) tells us that there were people teaching the opposite.
They did not as a matter of fact consent to the apostle’s teaching.
They did not follow the words of Christ.
They did not embrace the doctrine which promotes and leads to godliness.

6:4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
Those who disagreed to the apostle’s teachings were characterized as follows:
he is proud,-literally- wrapt in smoke…filled with the fumes of self conceit.
knowing nothing, he knows nothing of the doctrine which leads to godliness.
Void of the understanding which leads to godliness
but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, lit. sick about disputes.
They have a morbid fondness about arguing.
A morbid curiosity about questions.
Entertaining, challenging, but destructive.
The center of this persons interest isn’t the truth.
The center of their interest is disputing and arguing over semantics.
Great energy put into intellectual pursuits w/o ever wanting the godliness which is supposed to be our goal.
A love of argument over religion, instead of a love of God.
from which come envy, jealous
strife, fightings, wars, with words.
reviling, speaking evil of others
evil suspicions, about those who disagree. Supposing things to be true that aren’t.

6:5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
useless wranglings--continued friction.
Their words accomplish nothing in the end.
It is all theory which is not coupled with a desire for true experiential godliness.
Their minds may seem brilliant, but they are depraved.

In fact, they are bankrupt of truth.
The implication is that they once possessed it, but have now lost it.

who suppose that godliness is a means of gain
This would align itself with the matter of slaves.
Those who think that godliness leads to financial increase, would also try to teach slaves not to honor or obey their masters, but to rise above that life.

Sounds much like the prosperity doctrine, word of faith doctrines.
Timothy was avoid these kinds of false teachers.

6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
Contentment- inward self-sufficiency. Not a desire of outward things.
Inward sufficiency built upon godliness is better than the gathering of material things.
Godliness and contentment go hand in hand.

6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
Our entrance into and exit from this world is exactly the same.
That is an obvious truth.
Why then, would godliness and gain be a concern, when true godliness looks ahead to where we cannot take things.

6:8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
If we can take nothing with us, and those things are not important in eternity…
Then we shall learn to be content with what we have.
Phil 4:11-13 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

6:9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
The main problem here is the aim of the heart and life.
Riches which pass away.
Supposed intellect, a morbid love of argument, causing friction, and greed.
It is a sick desire to have more than they need.

6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Ambition to excel and improve one’s life is not condemned.
It is the philauguria of money which is condemned.
Having money for a friend in a covetous sense.
greediness- to stretch out in order to grasp or touch something. Great effort.

6:11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
Paul now contrasts Timothy with these other men. Timothy was to be different.

Timothy was a godly man, and was to be a godly man.
flee- continuous action. Make a habit of continually fleeing from the love of money.

pursue- to run quickly in order to catch. Eagerly desire and seek after sp. things.
righteousness in a moral sense
godliness
faith
love agape. The love produced in the yielded heart of a Christian.
patience steadfast, constant, enduring. Unswerving under the greatest trials.
One who remains godly under intense trials.
gentleness. Gentle spirit. Accepting life’s difficulties as permitted by God.
6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
fight- agonizomai, ag-o-nid’-zom-ahee; from G73; to struggle, lit. (to compete for a prize), fig. (to contend with an adversary), or gen. (to endeavor to accomplish something):–fight, labor fervently, strive. We get the word agonize.
Greek boxers had furlined gloves with lead and iron sewed to the ox-hide exterior. Much pain inflicted by those matches.
Losers in Greek wrestling matches had their eyes gouged out.
When Paul used the word fight, Timothy understood the effort needed.
A continuous state of effort needed in Timothy’s life, and ours.
Timothy had confessed Christ before many; fight hard to remain in that confession.

6:13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
Paul reminds Timothy that there are ever present, witnesses to the life that he lives.
Both an encouragement and a check.
Both hopeful and causing great caution.

6:14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,
keep- watch, oberve, guard, protect. A snap, military order.
Timothy needed a sharp command to do right.

6:15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
blessed eulogetos- to speak well of.
Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
Potentate- one who has the power and ability to rule.
One who wields great power.

K of ks; L of ls king of those who rule as kings, etc.
A protest against the worship of the Caesars.
The Romans emporers were worshipped as gods.
The roman emporers were called saviors of the world.

6:16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.
anthanasia- unable to die
Euthanasia- easy death.
6:17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

6:18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,

6:19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
6:20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge;

6:21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.