New Testament Commentary - 1 Timothy 6

by Don R. Hender


Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
Commentary & Explanation
Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
                    CHAPTER 6

The love of money is the root of all evil—Fight the good fight of faith—Trust not in worldly riches.

 1 LET as many aservants as are under the byoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
 2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are abrethren; but rather do them bservice, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
 3 If any man ateach otherwise, and consent not to bwholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
 4 He is aproud, knowing nothing, but bdoting about cquestions and dstrifes of words, whereof cometh eenvy, strife, railings, fevil surmisings,
 5 Perverse adisputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that bgain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
 6 But agodliness with bcontentment is great gain.
 7 For we brought anothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
 8 And having afood and raiment let us be therewith bcontenta.
 8a let us be therewith content Of all that is in and of this world what is it that is of necessity and of greatest worth. This epistle is unto those who are 'slaves' or servants unto others. What is their lot? Ought they be 'content'? Paul teaches that it is 'eternal life' and the doctrine of Christ which brings us to it that is the 'bottom line' of importance in this life, not wealth and riches. And he here teaches that those who are 'slaves' ought to and might find all that is necessary for the obtaining of it in Jesus Christ and that beyond 'food and raiment' or the least of life's necessities, there is nothing more that is needful to obtain it and that one might be so content in that 'eternal life' is and can be theirs despite one's own lowliest state in society.
 9 But athey that will be brich fall into ctemptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful dlusts, which drown men in destruction and eperdition.
 10 For the alove of bmoney is the root of all evil: which while some ccoveted after, they have derred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many esorrows.
 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after arighteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on aeternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast bprofessed a good profession before many witnesses.
 13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who aquickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before bPontius Pilate cwitnessed a good confession;
 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
 15 aWhich in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only bPotentate, the cKing of kings, and Lord of lords;
 16 Who only hath aimmortality, dwelling in the blight which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath cseen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
 17 Charge them that are arich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain briches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to adistribute, willing to bcommunicate;
 19 aLaying up in bstore for themselves a good foundation cagainst the time to come, that they may lay hold on deternal life.
 20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy atrust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and boppositions of science falsely so called:
 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.