1 Timothy 6

1 Timothy 6 provides guidelines and teachings on various aspects of Christian life and behavior, focusing particularly on relationships within the church, the dangers of false teachings and love for money, and the good fight of faith. Paul addresses slaves, false teachers, and wealthy individuals, advising them on how to conduct themselves according to godly principles. The chapter culminates with a powerful charge to Timothy to keep his commitment to the faith in the face of future challenges.

1 Timothy 6:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.
2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

Paul instructs slaves, or bondservants, to respect and honor their masters, whether they are believers or not. This respect is crucial to prevent any dishonor to God's name and teachings. For slaves with Christian masters, the bond of brotherhood should not lead to disrespect but rather enhance their service, acknowledging that serving a believing master supports a member of their faith community.

1 Timothy 6:3-10 (NKJV)
3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,
4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Paul warns against false teachers who dispute sound doctrine and view godliness as a means to financial gain. He emphasizes that true godliness combined with contentment brings great spiritual wealth, contrasting with the dangers of pursuing riches. He criticizes the love of money, describing it as a root of various evils that lead to spiritual ruin and deep personal anguish.

1 Timothy 6:11-16 (NKJV)
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,
15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

Paul exhorts believers to actively pursue a life of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness, urging them to flee from the love of money and other worldly temptations. It calls them to fight the good fight of faith and hold firmly to the promise of eternal life, which they have confessed before many witnesses. Verses 15-16 shift the focus to God the Father, emphasizing His supreme sovereignty and unique divine attributes. The Father is described as the “blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,” highlighting His ultimate authority over all powers and rulers. He is the one who will reveal Christ at the appointed time, demonstrating His control over the plan of salvation. Verse 16 describes the Father’s transcendent nature: He alone inherently possesses immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light that no human can see or approach, a reflection of His holiness and majesty. This passage calls believers to live faithfully under God’s authority, keeping His commandments without wavering, as they wait for the glorious return of Christ, which God will bring to pass in His perfect timing.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NKJV)
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,
19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Paul instructs Timothy to advise the wealthy to avoid arrogance and to place their trust not in their wealth, which is uncertain, but in God who provides abundantly. He encourages the rich to be generous and engage in good deeds as a way of securing a lasting spiritual foundation for their future.

1 Timothy 6:20-21 (NKJV)
20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—
21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

Paul concludes with a final exhortation to Timothy to protect the gospel and true knowledge that has been entrusted to him, steering clear of false teachings and those who oppose sound doctrine. This misuse of knowledge leads some away from the faith, and Paul ends with a prayer for grace to be with Timothy.