1Timothy 6 Study Guide
Author: Steve Amato
Description: Bible Study Guide for 1 Timothy 6
Keywords: bible study,Bible study guide, timothy, outline, free, slaves, false teachers, rich

Translations: 简体中文 繁體中文

# 1Timothy 6 (web)

## Slaves

6:1 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.

6:2 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.

## False Teachers

Teach and exhort these things.
6:3 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,
6:4 he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments,
disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
6:5 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.

6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

6:7 For we brought nothing into the world,
and we certainly can't carry anything out.

6:8 But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.

6:9 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.

6:10 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 of Faith

6:11 But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

6:12 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.

6:13 I charge you before God, who gives life to all things,
and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession,
6:14 that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless,
until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ;

6:15 which in its own times he will show,
who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
6:16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light;
whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.

## The Rich

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;
- 6:18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works,
- that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

6:19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come,
that they may lay hold of eternal life.

## Final Exhortation

6:20 Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter
and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called;
6:21 which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

# Discussion Questions

- vs 1-2 If slavery existed today, would you give advice to Christian slaves much different than this?
- What attitude should Christians have towards legitimate authority figures?
- In what ways may we show respect for the hierarchical structures that God has established in the society?
- In what ways has "freedom" shown itself to be the god the of this age contrary to the teachings of the Bible?
- Is slavery sin? Who are some godly men in the Bible who owned slaves?
- vs 3-5 What are examples of false teachings today.
- What are some motivations behind false teachers?
- vs 6-10 What is the correlation between false teachings and the desire for financial gain?
- In vs 8, what else would you add to the list ("food and clothing") before you will be content?
- How can "contentment" make you rich?
- What types of harm can result from the love of money?
- vs 17-19 Do you have certain expectations about getting rich? Have you put your hope in these? Is it appropriate for a Christian to do so? How do riches produce arrogance? Are we commanded to give up seeking for treasures or just redirect such desires?

# Comment

## False Teachings:

A student of the Bible should not become obsessed with questions that have no application, nor to teach things which are merely speculation as fact. If what is taught is merely personal opinion, these invite unnecessary conflicts among fools as Proverbs 18:2 "A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions." And many fools have many different opinions. A teacher is safest to stick with what the Bible clearly teaches and what are well known to be facts. However, this will often require one to make inferences to derive applications. For without applications, Bible study is futile and irrelevant. But such inferences should be based on sound hermeneutical principles.

From Paul's writings it is evident that then, as well as now, there were many false teachers that were payed for preaching and would introduce much of their own opinion and futile ideas so as to satisfy their hearers and justify getting payed for their "special knowledge."

Examples:

- 1Tim 4:3 - forbid marriage and eating certain foods
- 2Tim 2:17,18 - Hymenaeus - The resurrection had already taken place
- 1John 4:2,3 - Docetists - said Jesus' body was not physical flesh
- Rev 2:20 - Jezebel - teaching sexual immorality
- Acts 15:1 - Must become a Jew to be a Christian.
- Col 2:18 - worship of angels
- Col 2:23 - asceticism and false humility

## Additional Comments

Slaves Behave Yourselves
1Tim 6:1 "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."

Everyone experiences different degrees of slavery as we are all under the yoke in the sense that we are all under some kind of authority. The slavery of which Paul spoke could be particularly burdensome depending on the type of master one had. Nonetheless Paul, and Peter as well, advocated the practice of submission and respect towards such masters, as we see in Peter's writing, "Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully." 1Peter 2:18,19

Such a concept is foreign particularly to those in Western or Westernized societies today where the emphasis is on personal rights and freedom. Yet Christians are called to be servants. And inherent in servanthood is submission to authority. Of course many like to be called "servants", even though they refuse to be treated like servants.

When Christians disrespect legitimate authority, the name of God and the doctrines of Christianity are blasphemed - whether it be disrespect towards civil authorities, one's boss, parental authorities, or a wife's disrespect of her husband, in all these cases the name of God and his doctrine inevitably gets maligned.

Believing Slave Owners
1Tim 6:2 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.

A more comprehensive record of Paul's exhortation between Christian masters and their Christian slaves can be found in the book of Philemon. There we learn of Onesimus who was a slave who escaped from his Christian master, Philemon. Onesimus apparently met with Paul and became a Christian. Paul sent him back to Philemon along with the letter.

Among Paul's comments is the following: "I am sending him— who is my very heart— back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good— no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me." Phm 1:12-18

The Proud Teach Otherwise
1Tim 6:3,4 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, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, ...

By "teaching otherwise", Paul is referring not only to his teachings concerning slavery just prior to this, but also to the rest of his instructions in the letter. Throughout the letter Paul has been pausing to emphasize that Timothy needs to teach and emphazise these instructions. (Note 1:3,4; 4:6,7; 4:11; 4:15,16; 5;21)

Those who disagree with what Paul teaches here - or with what he has written elsewhere - are proud and ignorant. You find such people being overly divisive over trivial issues - or concerning issues of which the Bible isn't clear. At the beginning of his letter Paul mentioned of those that "want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm." 1Tim 1:7

But the fruit of such empty and divisive arguments are things like envy and strife and suspicions - conspiracy theories - like that of the "Davinci Code".

Men of Corrupt Minds
1Tim 6:5 "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."

This is one of the instructions Paul give us - of which if we reject and don't consent to these wholesome words we find ourselves among the very people Paul is referring to. Thus part of the Christian life is discerning those who are overly divisive and withdrawing from such.

But realize also that if one misjudges another and thus "withdraws" for illegitimate reasons, that person is the divisive one, hypocritically playing the very role of which they cast judgment against. So be careful how you apply this idea, being "completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Eph 4:2,3

Secondly, though perhaps it is an immature motivation, it is not illegitimate to be motivated to live the Christian life out of a sense of personal gain. The promises of God concerning personal gain in following Him are in fact supposed to encourage us in that struggle. But love is not self-seeking. And thus as we mature so also do our motivations.

But there are those who identify with the Christian community with ONLY the hope of material rewards, perhaps the fruit of the health and wealth gospel. Paul writes of them in Titus saying, "there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain." Tit 1:10,11

Godliness with Contentment
1Tim 6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

A very wealthy man was asked as to how much was enough. His reply? "Just a little more." Those who have contentment are richer than the richest. For while contentment and satisfaction may be the goal of the striving for gain, the only one who will achieve that goal are those who learn contentment.

And indeed contentment conversely reinforces godliness. For ambition, envy and striving for gain can be so distractive, not to mention destructive to relationships. But the content can have a "gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1Peter 3:4

Can't Take it With You
1Tim 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

This is the perspective that brings contentment. For Paul writes, "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." 1Cor 15:19 And this in light of his severe suffering.

What brings contentment to the Christian concerning material things is a perspective on the transitory nature of this life, as Jesus points elsewhere saying,"Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys." Luke 12:33 So what's the big deal with being rich? Afterall, the more you have, the more you will be held accountable for.

So if you feel discontent about your circumstances or your material things, just remember - one day soon you will die. "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment." Heb 9:27

Content with the Essentials
1Tim 6:8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

Thus Paul writes to the Phillipians, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Php 4:11-13

So how are we to conduct ourselves?

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" Heb 13:5

Those who Desire to Get Rich
1Tim 6:9,10 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. 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.

The desire to be rich first of all brings a continual sense of discontentment.

It can lead to get-rich-quick schemes, which are by their very nature counter-productive. Winning the lottery is such a scheme. Or other schemes which cross the line between investing and gambling.

But even if one is successful in getting rich quick, it is written, "An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning Will not be blessed at the end." Pr 20:21 And thus the strange phenomenon that many (or is it most?) who win the "lottery" end up worse off for it. But there are also those more wise in worldly ways who "get rich slowly", yet neither is that virtuous if their desire was to get rich.

How can you identify whether you are greedy? And indeed what can help you overcome greediness? Very simple - Generosity. To the rich man Jesus said, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." Luke 18:22 - and so also another rich man recognized this principle without having to be told. "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Luke 19:8 And even the poor are commended for their generosity, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything— all she had to live on." Mark 12:43,44

Do not desire to get rich - if for no other reason than that you may stray from the faith and end up with all kinds of unnecessary worldly sorrows. Rather, be generous - give without expecting anything in return.

Flee Material, Pursue Spiritual
1Tim 6:11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

That is, flee from foolish and harmful desires - such as the desire to get rich. A related harmful desire is the pursuit of pleasure. And so also is the pursuit of popularity. These are to be alien to the Christian. Rather we are to pursue:

righteousness - to do what is right simply because it is the right thing to do.

godliness - to behave as children of God.

faith - to understand and act upon what God has said.

love - to consider and act upon meeting the real needs of others, for no other reason than one's genuine concern for them.

patience - to continue in these despite the immediate lack of visible results

gentleness - to react to opposition and to difficulties with a spirit of lowliness and humility.

The Good Fight
1Tim 6:12 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.

And indeed, though it's primarily about attitudes, it is a fight. For "the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish." Gal 5:17

Elsewhere Paul writes of his own fight saying, "Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." 1Cor 9:26,27

And at the end of his life writes, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2Tim 4:7,8

Perfect Compliance
1Tim 6:13,14 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, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing

Notice the similarity to that of the previous chapter. "I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality." 1Tim 5:21 Paul is invoking everything and anything which will keep Timothy in line.

There I urge you in the sight of God who gives live to all things, including yourself, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate and thereby setting for us an example of testifying to the truth without regards for the consequences to us, that you live consistently with these commands in 1Timothy - working out the implications and applications. And that you do so blamelessly with a view towards the judgment day.

In His Time
1Tim 6:15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

While many obsess over the timing of the second coming, when asked concerning his appearing, Jesus responded, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority." Acts 1:7 But while it's not important to know exactly when Jesus will appear, what is important is that one be prepared. "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming." Mt 24:42 "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21:36 For while there are authorities in this life to whom we have to give an! account, Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and as such our accountability to him outweighs our accountability to all others.

Unapproachable
1Tim 6:16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

We are reminded that "He was released those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."Heb 2:15 People are enslaved to the fear of death. It controls their behavior and attitudes. But Christians have been released from the fear of death with promise of immortality. And while the philosophers of this age along with those who preach strange religions are vain sources of enlightenment, "No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him." John 1:18

The LORD dwells in such bright light that it is unapproachable. In fact by shining the light of the gospel on the world, many scatter like vampires from the light. For Jesus said, "men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed." John 3:18,19

Trusting in Riches?
1Tim 6:17 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.

While the Bible preaches contentment (1Tim 6:8) and preaches against greediness, covetousness and against the general desire to GET rich ("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." 1Tim 6:9), and I would say also against the desire to STAY rich, for hoarding to oneself is simply greed, as we note for example the parable of the Rich Fool of Luke 12:16-21 and the rich young ruler of Luke 18:22, it also recognizes that some among God's people will be rich. Abraham is mentioned a number of times in the New Testament as an example of faith which Christians should follow. Abraham was rich.

But riches easily (and deceptively) can lead to idolatry. And "You cannot serve both God and Money." Mt 6:24 So one challenge for the rich is not to trust in their riches. Yes God gives us richly all things to enjoy. But let not the enjoyment be an excuse for idolatry.

So I would bring up two questions here:

1. How do you know whether you are rich?

Well, for example, if you can turn on your faucet and out comes drinkable water - you are rich. Not even Solomon could do that.

2. How do you know whether you're trusting in riches?

That's what the next verse is about.

The Rich to do Good Works
1Tim 6:18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,

Of examples of the godly who are rich, they also have a spirit of generosity. Note for example Zacchaeus who said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham." Luke 19:8,9 We note also Barnabus "having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet." Acts 4:37

Now your wealth may be in the form of money, ability, availability, authority, or the like. But the Christian should not hoard these to himself, but freely be willing to share with those in need. "Whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?" 1John 3:17

Furthermore generosity in doing good is the measure of whether or not your wealth has become an idol. And if so, it is also the way of getting over idolatry and greed.

A Heavenly Retirement Account
1Tim 6:19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Jesus said, "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys." Luke 12:33

See also "Investing in an HRA" http://www.bcbsr.com/topics/hra.html

Avoid Idle Babblings
1Tim 6:20 "O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge——"

This kind of warning is reiterated in chapters 1,4, and earlier in this chapter. This apparently being a significant issue, it's important for Christians to be able to identify what constitutes "profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge." While this calls for discernment, unfortunately much of the Christian community today, in the name of "toleration", discourages exercising such discernment, and as such has fallen into the devil's scheme. Yet we see in this letter and throughout the New Testament letters there is much critique concerning deviant ideas and deviant behaviors.

Now to analyze this further:

the phrase "idle babblings" is actually a single greek word "kenophonia", which the lexicon defines as "empty discussion, discussion of vain and useless matters."

In fact the phrase "profane and idle babblings" occurs again in 2Tim 2:16 "But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness." And then Paul goes on to reference the heresy of Hymenaeus and Philetus who claim that the resurrection is already past. Apparently these kind of idle speculations promote ungodliness.

The Christian life and message should not be based upon idle speculations, but upon the solid facts and ideas of the Bible, understood in the sense it which they were meant to be understood.

Heresy Leads to Apostates
1Tim 6:21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

Again this referenced in 2Tim 2 saying "Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth."2Tim 2:18 And also back to 1Tim 1:5-7 "Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm."

Straying from the truth is a common phenomenon among the Christian community. Therefore let us all be vigilant to study the Bible and apply it appropriately.

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources