(What you will find here are my notes from a Bible Study on 1Timothy. I hope they will prove helpful. The text that I am using in the New American Standard Bible. Here are other Bible translations that were used: KJV – King James Version. AMP – Amplified Bible. MSG – Message Bible. BBE – Bible in Basic English. UDB – Unlocked Dynamic Bible. NET – New English Translation.)
1 Timothy 6:1 “All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against.”
In Paul's culture there was a great social and legal gulf separating masters and slaves. We do not have slavery in America, but we still have a gulf between employers and employees. Employers still expect their worker to do their jobs. But here Paul speaks of to those on the bottom of the pecking order. Slaves are to treat their masters with honor. Why? “So that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against.” Paul did not speak against the institution of slavery, but he gave guidelines for Christian slaves and Christian masters.
1 Timothy 6:2 “Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.”
Paul here goes into more detail about master and slave relationship. What should happen be both the master and the slave are Christian? How does that change the relationship? A slave is not to disrespect his master just because they are both Christian – but should work all the harder.
In our society employees should work hard and show respect for their employers. In turn, employers should be fair. Our work should reflect our faithfulness to and love for Christ. In Christ, employers and employees became spiritual equals (see Galatians 3:28). But remember, on the job – the boss is still the boss – work in a way that will please Christ in the process. Paul tells Timothy to, “Teach and preach these principles.”
False Teachers and True Contentment
1 Timothy 6:3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,
“advocates a different doctrine” (NASB) – “teach otherwise” (KJV) – “spreads false teaching” (NET) – “teaches false doctrine” (UDB) – “teaches a different doctrine” (AMP)
Paul had been teaching the true teachings of Jesus Christ – but not everyone had. There were those who were teaching “false doctrine” and Paul calls them out. “If anyone” – it does not matter who it is. If a person is teaching something different then what Jesus taught – a “doctrine conforming to godliness” they are false teachers.
1 Timothy 6:4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,
Not only are they teaching false doctrine they are also conceited and understands nothing. (Note here: the use of the word “he”.) Could it be that Paul had one person in mind?
“conceited and understands nothing” (NASB, NET) – “proud knowing nothing” (KJV) – “conceited and woefully ignorant” (AMP)
What is being taught causes – envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction. Is it any wonder that Paul is calling those who are teaching such things out?
1 Timothy 6:5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.
Paul told Timothy to stay away from those who were teaching such things and just wanted to make money from preaching. Paul told Timothy to stay away from those who strayed from the sound teachings of the Good News into quarrels that caused strife in the church. A person's understanding of the finer points of theology should not become the basis for lording it over others or for making money. Stay away from people who just want to argue.
1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.
Godliness is great gain and should be our goal in life. Seeking godliness is the key to spiritual growth and personal fulfillment. We should honor God and center our desires on Him. Matthew 6:33 tells us: "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Seeking godliness should be out contentment.
1 Timothy 6:7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.
We arrived in this world naked – we brought nothing with us. When we leave this world – we will take nothing with us. All people are on equal footing when it comes to this.
1 Timothy 6:8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
What do I need in life? I need food and I need clothes – other than this becomes “wants” and not “needs”. There is a difference between what we need and what we want. We may have all we need to live (that is, we have enough), but we let ourselves become anxious and discontent over what we merely want. Like Paul, we can choose to be content without having all that we want. The only alternative is to be "trapped by many foolish and harmful desires" that ultimately lead only to "ruin and destruction."
In this world we judge people on the amount of “stuff” they have – but this is not how God judges. If we have enough – let us be content. But when is enough – enough? How can we truly be content? Ask the question, “What would God want in my life?” The answer to that – should be our contentment.
1 Timothy 6:9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
We think that if we get rich – all our problems will go away. But this is not true. With wealth comes other problems. One of the biggest problems is greed. We want so we save – even to the point that we will not share with others. We hoard our money to the point that it affects our relationship with others and with God. Money becomes our God for money and wealth become our greatest desire. That is why Paul says:
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Notice that it is not money itself that is the root of all sorts of evil – but the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. Constable has said:
“Note that it is the love of money, not money itself, that is the snare. It is possible to have very little money and yet to love it. Some people have much money yet do not love it. Love of money contrasts with love of God and neighbor, the two greatest commandments. (see Matthew 22:39).”
Paul tells us that some have even loved money so much that they “have wandered away from the faith.” They have placed money as the top priority of their lives – even more important to them then their relationship with God.
Fight the Good Fight of Faith
1 Timothy 6:11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.
This verse falls closely behind what has just been said. There can be corruption with the love of money – but Paul warns Timothy to “flee from these things”. But then he gives Timothy six things to pursue: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Some think Christianity is a passive religion that advocates waiting for God to act. On the contrary, we must have an active faith, training, working hard, sacrificing, and doing what we know is right. Christian service, like athletics, requires training and sacrifice. Our discipline and obedience largely define whether or not we will be contributors or merely spectators.
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Notice these words used in verses 11 and 12: flee, pursue, fight, and take hold. As I have said above – Christianity is an active religion not a passive one. Stagnant water is not pure but must be moving in order to be fresh. Dillow has said:
". . . growth is not automatic; it is conditioned upon our responses. Only by the exercise of spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, obedience, faith, study of the Scriptures, and proper responses to trials, does our intimacy with Christ increase. Only by continuing in doing good does that spiritual life imparted at regeneration grow to maturity and earn a reward."
1 Timothy 6:13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
Paul is now giving a “charge” to Timothy. Paul says that the charge is given in presence of God – the God who gives life to all things – this would be the One True God – and also in the presence of Jesus Christ – the one who testified before Pontius Pilate. All four of the gospels speak of the testimony of Jesus before Pontius Pilate (see Matthew 27:11-26, Mark 15:1-15, Luke 23:1-25, and John 18:28-19:16.)
(*Note: the entire charge that Paul gives Timothy if found in verses 13-16.)
1 Timothy 6:14 that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
In this verse is the heart of the charge which Paul is giving Timothy.
“keep the commandment without stain or reproach” (NASB), “keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable” (KJV) “obey this command without fault or failure” (NET), “keep this command to the letter, and don't slack off” (UDB), “keep the word untouched by evil, clear from all shame” (BBE), “keep all His precepts without stain or reproach” (AMP)
How long should Timothy do this? Until the Lord Jesus Christ appears again.
We too should strive to keep the Lord’s commandments until He appears.
1 Timothy 6:15 which He will bring about at the proper time--He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
The appearing of the Lord will come at its “proper time”. God is never late. We may wish that it would happen now – but we do not control the coming of the Lord by our wishes.
Paul then gives us a descriptive praise of Jesus. He is “blessed” – He is “Sovereign”. He is the “King of kings”. He is the “Lord of lords”.
1 Timothy 6:16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
Paul continues to give praise to Jesus. He alone “possesses immortality”. He alone “dwells in unapproachable light” – a light so bright – so overwhelming – that “no man has seen or can see”.
Constable says of verses 15-16: “God will send Jesus Christ back at His appointed time. Paul's doxology (a statement glorifying God) emphasized His adorable and unique sovereignty, immortality, and incomprehensible holiness. To Him belong all honor and rule throughout eternity.”
1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
It would seem that there were some members of the church who were rich – by worldly standards. Being rich comes with it own problems. I is easy for a person who is rich to put their hope in their possessions rather than God. But riches can quickly disappear. That is why Paul speaks of the “uncertainty of riches”. We must remember that it is God who can supply with the things we need and sometimes He also allows us to have things that we want.
If you have been blessed with wealth, then thank the Lord. Don't be proud and don't trust in your money. Use your money to do good. Be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share. No matter how much money you have, your life should demonstrate that God controls the wealth that he has placed under your care.
1 Timothy 6:18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
Paul tells Timothy to teach the rich to do good and in the process they will become rich in good works. They are to be generous and read to share of their wealth.
1 Timothy 6:19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
Jesus taught that we were not to store up treasures on earth – but we were to store up treasures in heaven:
"Do not lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves do not break through and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
Matthew Henry has said:
“Being rich in this world is wholly different from being rich towards God. Nothing is more uncertain than worldly wealth. Those who are rich, must see that God gives them their riches; and he only can give to enjoy them richly; for many have riches, but enjoy them poorly, not having a heart to use them.”
1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"—
Paul ends this letter to Timothy with a warning:
1. Guard that which has been entrusted to you.
a. By avoiding worldly and empty chatter
b. By avoiding opposing arguments
i. Which are falsely called “knowledge”
ii. Which some have professed and thus been led astray from the faith
1 Timothy 6:21 which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.
The book of 1st Timothy provides guiding principles for local churches, including rules for public worship and qualifications for elders, deacons. It also gives guidance of dealing with widows. Paul tells the church leaders to correct incorrect doctrine and to deal lovingly and fairly with all people in the church.
The church is not organized simply for the sake of organization but so that Christ can be honored and glorified.
Paul ends this letter by saying, “Grace be with you.”
