1 Timothy
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1 Timothy 6
1 Timothy 6
1Let as many as are servants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed.
1Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
Commentary · verse 1
2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but let them serve them the rather, because they that partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. These things teach and exhort.
2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
Commentary · verse 2
Servants of believing masters should be more inclined to serve because they will have a share in the master's honor.
3If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain.
3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
Commentary · verses 3-5
Verses 3-5 described false teachers. Notice, their doctrine was according to unsound words. Sound words were words that mean what they appeared to mean, words that had a right definition. Ultimately, false teachers were focused on physical gain (WHAT) and attempted to pervert godliness to attain their goal (HOW/WHY). These people were deceivers because they appeared to have a right WHAT, but they were actually using a wrong HOW/WHY.
Doctrines on this passage
6But godliness with contentment is great gain:
6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Commentary · verse 6
Doctrine: Godliness with contentment is great gain. There are two parts to the gain that ought to matter: Godliness with contentment, which is a right WHAT with a right HOW/WHY. "Contentment" is a belief that you have a perfect condition of life in which no aid or support is needed. This belief could only come by godliness being the cause.
7for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out; 8but having food and covering we shall be therewith content.
7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Commentary · verses 7-8
Doctrine: Having food and cover should let us be content. These were the specifics that should be provided for our families (1 Timothy 5:8). We do not need more than food (food and water) and cover (protection from the elements). Our culture wants to think that we deserve more than these things, or that parents ought to provide more than these things to their children.
9But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition.
10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Commentary · verses 9-10
The love of money was making money the cause. A little bit of money makes things better. Believing that enough money will make things perfect was also known as "the deceitfulness of riches"..."if I only had more, I would be happy." Notice, this was deception because the individual themselves were driving this foolish and hurtful pursuit, not the enemy.
11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Commentary · verse 11
Flee these things (verses 9-10) and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness (humility). "Follow after" these meant focusing on them: things God would direct people to do when they made loving God their cause. Paul consistently wrote about fleeing fornication and pursuing a list of attributes that were best summed up in Galatians 5 and known as the "fruits of the Spirit."
12Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
13I charge thee in the sight of God, who giveth life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession; 14that thou keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Commentary · verses 12-14
Keeping the commandment meant loving God and loving others, the First and Second Commands, respectively.
15which in its own times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.
15Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Commentary · verses 17-19
Verses 17-19: instructions for the rich.
17Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life which is life indeed.
17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Commentary · verse 19
Paul's instructions were for Timothy to help the rich in this world to focus on gaining riches spiritually.
20O Timothy, guard that which is committed unto thee, turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called; 21which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you.
20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
21Which 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.
Commentary · verses 20-21
Theme of Chapter 6: Paul explained that great gain was godliness with contentment. Physically, this meant food and covering. Paul gave instruction in how to deal with people who did have physical riches.
Commentary · verse 21
The first epistle to Timothy was the tenth book of the Section of the New Testament known as the Pauline Epistles. Paul wrote this letter around 67 AD from Macedonia, making this letter, chronologically, later than all the previously covered of Paul's epistles. This was also the first letter of the section known as the Pastoral Epistles. Remember, Paul's letter to the Corinthians was to the entire church. The purpose of this letter was to specifically give one person (Timothy) direction in pastoring and leading a church. The overarching theme covered teaching the believers an understanding of God's Word and God's Doctrine so that they would not be deceived into forfeiting their Salvation.
Servants should count their masters worthy of honor. The best modern day application is to think of employee and employer.