1 Timothy Chapter 6

Instructions to Servants
(Ephesians 6:5-9)

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. 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.

Reject False Doctrines

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.

Contentment in Godliness

6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 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. 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.

Fight the Good Fight

11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 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: 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.

A Charge to the Rich

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.

Final Guidance

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.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Serving with Honor
(Ephesians 6:5–9; Colossians 3:22–25)

1 Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed. 2 Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

Reject False Doctrines

3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, 4 he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions, 5 constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such.

Godliness with Contentment

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. 8 But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Fight the Good Fight

11 But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. 13 I command you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession, 14 that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; 15 which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.

A Charge to the Rich
(Proverbs 23:1–5; James 5:1–6)

17 Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; 18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.

Guard the Faith

20 Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called; 21 which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

Serving with Honor
(Ephesians 6:5–9; Colossians 3:22–25)

1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.

Reject False Doctrines

3 If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain. a

Godliness with Contentment

6 Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, so b we cannot carry anything out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.

9 Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Fight the Good Fight

11 But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.

13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate: 14 Keep this commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time. 16 He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

A Charge to the Rich
(Proverbs 23:1–5; James 5:1–6)

17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, 19 treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Guard the Faith

20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,” 21 which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith.

Grace be with you all. c

Footnotes:

5 a BYZ and TR include Withdraw yourself from such.
7 b BYZ and TR so certainly
21 c BYZ and TR include Amen.

Instructions to Servants
(Ephesians 6:5-9)

1As many as are servants under a yoke, their own masters worthy of all honour let them reckon, that the name of God and the teaching may not be evil spoken of; 2and those having believing masters, let them not slight them, because they are brethren, but rather let them serve, because they are stedfast and beloved, who of the benefit are partaking. These things be teaching and exhorting;

Reject False Doctrines

3if any one be teaching otherwise, and do not consent to sound words -- those of our Lord Jesus Christ -- and to the teaching according to piety, 4he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and word-striving, out of which doth come envy, strife, evil-speakings, evil-surmisings, 5wranglings of men wholly corrupted in mind, and destitute of the truth, supposing the piety to be gain; depart from such;

Contentment in Godliness

6but it is great gain -- the piety with contentment; 7for nothing did we bring into the world -- it is manifest that we are able to carry nothing out; 8but having food and raiment -- with these we shall suffice ourselves; 9and those wishing to be rich, do fall into temptation and a snare, and many desires, foolish and hurtful, that sink men into ruin and destruction, 10for a root of all the evils is the love of money, which certain longing for did go astray from the faith, and themselves did pierce through with many sorrows;

Fight the Good Fight

11and thou, O man of God, these things flee, and pursue righteousness, piety, faith, love, endurance, meekness; 12be striving the good strife of the faith, be laying hold on the life age-during, to which also thou wast called, and didst profess the right profession before many witnesses. 13I charge thee, before God, who is making all things alive, and of Christ Jesus, who did testify before Pontius Pilate the right profession, 14that thou keep the command unspotted, unblameable, till the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which in His own times He shall shew -- the blessed and only potentate, the King of the kings and Lord of the lords, 16who only is having immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable, whom no one of men did see, nor is able to see, to whom is honour and might age-during! Amen.

A Charge to the Rich

17Those rich in the present age charge thou not to be high-minded, nor to hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, who is giving to us all things richly for enjoyment; -- 18to do good, to be rich in good works, to be ready to impart, willing to communicate, 19treasuring up to themselves a right foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life age-during.

Final Guidance

20O Timotheus, the thing entrusted guard thou, avoiding the profane vain-words and opposition of the falsely-named knowledge, 21which certain professing -- concerning the faith did swerve; the grace is with you. Amen.

Instructions for Believers Under Authority

¹ Let all who are under the yoke of slavery consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. ² Those who have believing masters should not show them less respect because they are brothers. Instead, they should serve them even better because those who benefit from their service are believers, dearly loved by God. Teach and encourage these principles!

Warnings Against False Teachers and Greed

³ If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt minds, who have been robbed of the truth and think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain! ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap, and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Paul’s Charge to Timothy

¹¹ But you, man of God, flee from all this! Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith! Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you ¹⁴ to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which God will bring about in His own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and might forever. Amen.

Instructions for the Wealthy

¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. ¹⁹ In this way, they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Final Exhortation

²⁰ Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care! Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, ²¹ which some have professed and in doing so have departed from the faith. Grace be with you.

Footnotes:

1.“Yoke of slavery” (verse 1) refers to the social institution of servitude in the ancient world. The Greek word doulos can mean servant or slave, and Paul addresses this in the context of Christian ethics.

2.“Godliness with contentment” (verse 6) reflects a major theme in Paul’s teachings: the combination of spiritual devotion and inner satisfaction, regardless of material circumstances. The Greek word autarkeia means self-sufficiency, emphasizing contentment in God.

3.“The love of money” (verse 10) is a warning not about wealth itself but about the passion for it. The Greek word philargyria means a deep affection or love for money, which leads to all kinds of evil behaviors and attitudes.

4.“Fight the good fight” (verse 12) uses the Greek word agonizomai, from which we get the word “agonize.” It implies strenuous effort and perseverance, especially in the Christian faith.

5.“Pontius Pilate” (verse 13) is a historical reference to Jesus’ trial. The “good confession” refers to Jesus’ acknowledgment of His kingship before Pilate, despite the political pressure.

6.“Unapproachable light” (verse 16) reflects God’s transcendent holiness. The imagery draws from Jewish traditions of God’s overwhelming glory, seen as inaccessible to human senses.

7.“Treasure for themselves” (verse 19) refers to the eternal rewards believers store up in heaven through their actions of generosity and faithfulness. This echoes Jesus’ teaching on treasures in heaven in the Gospels.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of 1 Timothy 6?

1.1Introduction to 1 Timothy 6

1.2Context of 1 Timothy 6

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.51 Timothy 6 Unique Insights

1.61 Timothy 6 Connections to Yeshua

1.71 Timothy 6 Scriptural Echoes

1.81 Timothy 6 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of 1 Timothy 6?

Introduction to 1 Timothy 6

1 Timothy 6 stands as a powerful conclusion to Paul’s first letter to Timothy, addressing fundamental issues that continue to challenge believers today: the proper use of wealth, the pursuit of godliness, and the fight for sound doctrine. This chapter serves as both a warning and an encouragement, painting a vivid picture of true contentment and the eternal perspective that should guide believers’ lives.

The significance of this chapter lies in its practical wisdom for handling material possessions while maintaining spiritual integrity. Paul’s final instructions to Timothy provide a framework for understanding how faith intersects with daily life, particularly in areas where believers often struggle – money, power, and the temptation to compromise truth for personal gain.

Context of 1 Timothy 6

This chapter concludes Paul’s first letter to Timothy, written while Timothy was overseeing the church in Ephesus, a wealthy commercial center known for its Temple of Artemis and thriving marketplace. The immediate context shows Paul addressing specific challenges Timothy faced in leading a congregation influenced by both Jewish legalism and Gentile materialism.

Within the broader context of Paul’s pastoral epistles, this chapter connects to themes developed in 2 Timothy and Titus about faithful ministry, sound doctrine, and godly living. The emphasis on contentment and proper handling of wealth echoes Yeshua’s teachings about Kingdom values versus worldly possessions (Matthew 6:19-21).

The historical setting of Ephesus, with its prosperity and pagan influence, makes Paul’s warnings about the love of money particularly relevant. His instructions about slaves and masters address social realities of the first century while establishing principles of respect and service that transcend their historical context.

Ancient Key Word Study

δοῦλος (doulos) – “slave/servant” (v.1): This term carried complex social and legal implications in the Roman world. While often translated simply as “slave,” it could describe various levels of servitude and even voluntary service. Paul uses this term to address both literal slaves and to illustrate spiritual service to the Messiah.
εὐσέβεια (eusebeia) – “godliness” (v.6): A key term in the pastoral epistles combining both reverence for God and the practical living out of that reverence. Different from mere religious observance, it implies a lifestyle transformed by genuine faith.
αὐτάρκεια (autarkeia) – “contentment” (v.6): A term borrowed from Stoic philosophy but redefined in Christian context. While Stoics sought self-sufficiency, Paul grounds contentment in dependence on God.
φιλαργυρία (philarguria) – “love of money” (v.10): This compound word combines φίλος (love) with ἄργυρος (silver), emphasizing excessive desire for wealth. Notable as the root (ῥίζα) of all evils, not the cause of all individual sins.
ὁμολογία (homologia) – “confession/profession” (v.12): Literally meaning “same word,” this term referred to public declaration of faith, possibly echoing baptismal confessions in early church practice.
ζωογονοῦντος (zōogonountos) – “gives life” (v.13): A compound word combining “life” and “generate,” used here of God’s life-giving power. The same term appears in the Septuagint describing God’s preservation of life.
παραθήκη (parathēkē) – “deposit” (v.20): A legal term for something entrusted for safekeeping, often used in financial contexts. Paul applies it to the gospel message entrusted to Timothy.
κενοφωνία (kenophōnia) – “empty speech” (v.20): Literally “empty sounds,” this term describes worthless discussions that lead away from truth. The prefix κενο- emphasizes the futility of such discourse.

Compare & Contrast

The instruction to slaves uses “ὑπὸ ζυγόν” (under yoke) rather than simply δοῦλος, emphasizing the weight of their situation while providing dignity through service to God.
Paul chooses “εὐσέβεια” (godliness) over θρησκεία (religion) throughout the chapter, emphasizing authentic spiritual life rather than mere religious observance.
The phrase “ῥίζα πάντων τῶν κακῶν” (root of all evils) employs a botanical metaphor rather than a more direct causal statement, suggesting money’s pervasive influence on character.
The command to “flee” (φεῦγε) these things uses a present imperative, indicating continuous action, rather than an aorist command for a one-time action.
The athletic metaphor “fight the good fight” (ἀγωνίζου) was chosen over military terminology, emphasizing personal discipline and endurance rather than violent conflict.
The term “παραθήκη” for the gospel deposit was preferred over simpler terms like “message” or “teaching,” emphasizing sacred trust and accountability.
The description of God as “dwelling in unapproachable light” uses compound words that emphasize both His transcendence and the impossibility of human approach without divine enabling.

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1 Timothy 6 Unique Insights

The chapter’s treatment of wealth and contentment shows fascinating parallels with both Greco-Roman philosophical discussions and Jewish wisdom literature. The Stoic concept of αὐτάρκεια (self-sufficiency) is transformed into God-dependent contentment, while echoing themes from Ecclesiastes about wealth’s futility.

Early church fathers like Chrysostom saw in this chapter a profound teaching about the proper use of material goods. His homilies on this passage emphasized how wealth could serve kingdom purposes when properly stewarded. The Didache, an early Christian document, contains similar teachings about money’s proper use in Christian community.

Archaeological evidence from Ephesus reveals the extreme wealth disparity that formed the backdrop for Paul’s warnings. Inscriptions and artifacts demonstrate how the cult of Artemis intertwined with commerce, making Paul’s warnings about false teaching and materialism particularly relevant to Timothy’s situation.

The chapter’s emphasis on the “good confession” may reference early baptismal formulas, as suggested by similar language in early Christian documents. The phrase “before many witnesses” likely indicates formal church settings where believers publicly declared their faith.

The image of “laying hold of eternal life” uses athletic metaphors familiar in Greek culture but reframes them for spiritual purposes. Similar imagery appears in philosophical texts about pursuing virtue, but Paul grounds the pursuit in response to God’s calling rather than human effort.

1 Timothy 6 Connections to Yeshua

The chapter’s teachings about contentment and wealth echo Yeshua’s own teachings about treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). The warning against the love of money recalls His statement about serving God versus mammon. Paul’s instructions develop practical applications of the Messiah’s kingdom principles.

The description of God as immortal King connects to Yeshua’s role as eternal King of Kings. The reference to His appearing (ἐπιφάνεια) anticipates His second coming, linking present faithfulness to future hope. This eschatological framework shapes how believers should view and use material possessions.

The “good confession” Timothy is reminded of likely refers to both Yeshua’s testimony before Pilate and Timothy’s own confession of faith in the Messiah. This parallel emphasizes how believers’ faithfulness continues the witness of Yeshua Himself.

1 Timothy 6 Scriptural Echoes

The warning about the love of money echoes wisdom literature, particularly Ecclesiastes 5:10 about the futility of loving wealth. The call to contentment resonates with Philippians 4:11-13 and Hebrews’ teaching about satisfaction in God.

The metaphor of fighting the good fight recalls David’s battles for יהוה and prophetic imagery of spiritual warfare. The emphasis on maintaining pure doctrine connects to Old Testament warnings about false prophets and the importance of preserving divine truth.

Paul’s doxology draws on language from the Psalms and prophets about God’s sovereign rule and unapproachable holiness. The description of God dwelling in unapproachable light echoes Exodus 33:20 and Isaiah’s throne room vision.

1 Timothy 6 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our relationship with material possessions and our pursuit of true godliness. The connection Paul draws between contentment and godliness invites us to consider: Where do we find our satisfaction? Are we seeking contentment in circumstances or in God Himself?

The warnings about the love of money remain startlingly relevant. In our materialistic culture, we must regularly examine our hearts’ attachments. Are we pursuing wealth as an end in itself, or are we viewing our resources as tools for Kingdom purposes? The challenge to “fight the good fight of faith” reminds us that maintaining spiritual integrity requires active engagement and discipline.

For those blessed with material wealth, this chapter provides both warning and guidance. The call to be “rich in good works” offers a positive vision for using resources to advance God’s Kingdom. How might we steward our possessions in ways that store up treasure in heaven?

Did You Know

The term “godliness with contentment” uses a Greek construction that suggests these qualities are inseparable – you cannot have true godliness without contentment.
The phrase “love of money” (philarguria) appears only here in the New Testament, though related concepts are discussed elsewhere.
The “good confession” mentioned likely refers to formal declarations of faith made during baptism in the early church.
Archaeological evidence from Ephesus shows it was one of the wealthiest cities in the Roman Empire, making Paul’s warnings about wealth particularly relevant.
The command to “guard the deposit” uses terminology from banking and legal documents about protecting valuable property.
The description of God as “dwelling in unapproachable light” uses language similar to ancient Jewish mystical texts about divine glory.
The athletic metaphor “fight the good fight” was particularly meaningful in Ephesus, which hosted major athletic competitions.
The warning about “contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge” may reference early Gnostic teachings beginning to influence the church.
The term for “contentment” (autarkeia) was a key concept in Stoic philosophy, which Paul redefines in Christian terms.
The reference to slaves “under the yoke” uses language that distinguished between different types of servitude in Roman society.

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