The Epistles · Chapter 6 of 6

1 Timothy 6

Paul closes his first letter to Timothy with counsel on work, wealth, and wholesome words. Servants honor their masters, false teachers imagine that religion is a way to profit, and Timothy is charged to flee the love of money and fight the good fight of faith. The letter rises to a doxology of the King of kings and a final charge to the rich.

What happens in 1 Timothy 6

Paul instructs believing servants to honor their masters so God and His teaching are not slandered. He warns against teachers who reject wholesome words and treat godliness as a means of gain, breeding envy and strife. True gain, he says, is godliness with contentment, for we bring nothing into the world and carry nothing out. The love of money is a root of all evil, piercing some with sorrows. He commands the man of God to flee these things and pursue righteousness, fighting the good fight of faith and laying hold on eternal life.

Paul charges Timothy before God and before Christ Jesus, who witnessed a good confession before Pontius Pilate, to keep the commandment unblemished until the appearing of the Lord. A soaring praise names God the blessed Potentate, King of kings. Finally he charges the rich to trust God, do good, and store up a true foundation.

1 Timothy 6 in context

First Timothy is a pastoral letter to a younger leader Paul left at Ephesus to guard sound doctrine. This final chapter answers a live problem in that church: teachers who monetized religion and members tempted by wealth.

Writing near the end of his life, Paul frames money, contentment, and endurance against the horizon of Christ's return and eternal life, calling Timothy to embody a wholly different way.

Main themes of 1 Timothy 6

1 Timothy 6 (KJV)

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Verses to carry from 1 Timothy 6

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”1 Timothy 6:6

“For 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.”1 Timothy 6:10

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”1 Timothy 6:12

Reflection

Where do you look for security, in uncertain riches or in the living God who gives all things to enjoy? This chapter invites an honest inventory. Contentment is not resignation but freedom, the settled trust that the God who provides bread also holds your future, so your hands can open to do good.

A prayer from 1 Timothy 6