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1 Timothy Chapter Six                            

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

God’s Workers should Fight the Good Fight of Faith

I. Teaching believers who are servants to keep their own positions (v.1-2).

II. Being alert to those who preach heresies (v.3-5).

III. Being alert to being strayed from the faith by money (v.6-10).

IV. Being a man of God and lay hold on eternal life (v.11-16).

V. Commanding those who are rich in this present age not to trust in riches (v.17-19).

VI. Guarding what was committed to your trust avoiding the contradictions of knowledge (v.20-21a).

VII. Trusting in God’s grace (v.21b).

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

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.

   YLT: “As 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;”

   Meaning of Words: “bondservants”: slaves servants; “own”: pertaining to self private; “worthy”: due reward deserving; “doctrine”: teaching doctrine; “blaspheme”: speak evil revile defame.

   The Background: “as many bondservants as are under the yoke” the slavery prevailed in the society of that time and there were many bondservants who believed in the Lord in the church. Probably some bondservants who believed in the Lord thought that the Lord’s salvation included the release from their positions in the society and therefore they would be no longer constrained by their position of bondservants.

   Literal Meaning: Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke” “under the yoke” describes that they were controlled and not free.

“Count their own masters worthy of all honor” “own masters” specially refers to the masters who did not believe in the Lord. “All” means full and absolute. “Honor” refers to the attitude that they hold to the masters and they should behavior the same before both masters and others.

“So that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed” “doctrine” refers to the teachings of the apostles (See Acts. 2:42).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If believers do not honor others correctly as a result the name of God and His doctrine will be despised and laughing stock will be caused.

2) Today there are the differences between superiors and subordinates and masters and employees in the society and we believers should honor to whom honor (Rom. 13:7).

3) Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called (1Cor. 7:20).

 

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.

   YLT: “and those having believing masters let them not slight 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;”

   Meaning of Words: “rather”: far more; “serve”: serve as slaves be in bondage willingly.

   Literal Meaning: And those who have believing masters” “believing” refers to believing in the Lord.

“Let them not despise them because they are brethren” probably there are three reasons why men despise believing masters: 1) the years that masters have believed in the Lord are shorter than that of servants; 2) the spiritual degree of masters are lower than that of servants; 3) servants misunderstand that they are free in the Lord and there is not the difference between masters and servants any more.

“But rather serve them” “rather” indicates that one serves believing masters more willingly and respectfully than unbelieving masters.

“Because those who are benefited are believers and beloved” this sentence has two interpretations: 1) it indicates that the masters benefit because of the service of believing servants; 2) it indicates that the masters pay close attention to interests of bondservants because the masters are believers and beloved.

Teach and exhort these things” “these things” refers to the teachings concerning bondservants’ principle of walking in v.1-2. “Teaching” stresses on making men know; “exhorting” stresses on making men act.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Here Paul the apostle only mentioned that believing bondservants should honor masters showing that most probably the problems in the church at that time were caused by bondservants who were dissatisfied with their social positions and wanted to strive for equality and liberty.

2) The liberty of Christians is the liberty in the spirit that we are no longer in the bondage of Satan and sins (Gal. 5:1 14). Concerning the liberty of the flesh we should humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may release us in due time (See 1Pet. 5:6).

3) Today we Christians should bear good witness before unbelieving superiors (See v.1) and rather serve believing superiors.

4) Believing bondservants should rather serve masters in the Lord however we should not demand the masters to rather treat us kindly because it is the matter between others and God that how they treat us.

5) Christians should regard service as a privilege because it has a good effect that we who are believers and beloved shall be benefited.

 

1Tim. 6:3 “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

   YLT: “if 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 ”

   Meaning of Words: “not consent”: not assent; “wholesome”: sound be in health in good condition be will in body and mind; “doctrine”: teaching instruction.

   Literal Meaning: If anyone teaches otherwise” “otherwise” refers to the teachings that are different from the orthodox truth.

“And does not consent to wholesome words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ” “wholesome words” refers to sound words; the words of our Lord Jesus Christ are words of life (John. 6:63) and therefore His words are sound words.

“And to the doctrine which accords with godliness” “the doctrine” refers to the teaching (See v.1); “the doctrine which accords with godliness” refers to the teaching that makes men live a godly life.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If believers lack the clear knowledge of Christ’s wholesome words they would make those who teach otherwise have a loophole to exploit.

2) The wholesome words of the Lord Jesus Christ are the source of the doctrine which accords with godliness.

3) The wholesome words would bring in the godly life. Our touchstone for men’s faith is whether their life and behavior accord with the pattern of godly life.

 

1Tim. 6:4 “he is proud knowing nothing but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words from which come envy strife reviling evil suspicions

   YLT: “he is proud knowing nothing but doting about questions and word-striving out of which doth come envy strife evil-speakings evil-surmisings ”

   Meaning of Words: “proud”: envelope with smoke envelope with pride; “is obsessed with”: be sick sore dote about hanker after; “disputes and arguments over words”: disputing about words finding fault in words; “evil suspicions”: bad thoughts.

   Literal Meaning: he is proud knowing nothing” in the original it means that he is blinded by smoke and cannot see his real condition. Here it means that such men cannot sense the will of God because of flatulence and are ignorant of things of God.

“But is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words” in the original this sentences could be translated into: he is sick with disputes and arguments over words; “disputes and arguments” is the sickness of the mind and it is a contrast to “wholesome words” in v.3.

“From which come envy strife reviling evil suspicions” the various kinds of evil consequences recounted in this sentence are made by the sickness of the mind mentioned in the previous sentence. “Envy” describes that one cannot suffer that others are better than him and the opinion of others are better than his; “strife” refers to opposition and hostility caused by the differences of opinions; “reviling” indicates that one speaks ill of others and even attacks them with evil words; “evil suspicions” refers to the evil thoughts to others.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) All teachings different from the sound words of Christ are of men’s pride that blind themselves.

2) The proud one thinks that he is full of learning. But actually he knows nothing yet as he ought to know (1Cor. 8:2).

3) One’s being fond of disputes shows that his mind is abnormal and it is a morbid state.

4) If one is unable to bear details stress on the more important point when dealing with problems and grasp the center of problems his spirituality and discernment are proved to be limited.

 

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.

   YLT: “wranglings of men wholly corrupted in mind and destitute of the truth supposing the piety to be gain; depart from such;”

   Meaning of Words: “corrupt minds”: corrupted in mind ruined in mind; “useless wranglings”: endless wrangling continuous disputes frivolous quibbling.

   Literal Meaning: useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth” “destitute of the truth” implies that they had known the truth however they were mislead by men so that they abandoned the truth; the whole sentence means that rattling on disputes only corrupts men’s mind and makes the truth that was in them become lighter and nothing finally. In a word such men who like wranglings will lose their mind finally so that they cannot know the truth.

“Who suppose that godliness is a means of gain” It indicates that they regard godliness as a means of making money.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) This sentence shows the orbit of the depravation of the faith: first one corrupts in the morality and then abandons the truth that he knew finally he brings in commercial acts into the church with the purpose of gain using the faith as a cover.

2) There is no other thing in the world to be condemned by God more than “supposing that godliness is a means of gain”. Such means of making money is the lowest. And there is no other thing to be more contemptible than it. Only when those who do the work of the Lord be cleansed completely from gain will they be able to work.

3) If you desire to do the work of the Lord you must be independent of money that you would rather be starved to death than long for gain. We could sell our clothes and things however we never sell our truth and godliness.

4) If preachers are not careful they will fall into a trap unconsciously: in the beginning it is “the Lord uses me” and later it becomes “I utilize the Lord”; in the beginning it is “I dedicate myself fully” and later it becomes “I fully gain”.

 

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

   YLT: “but it is great gain -- the piety with contentment;”

   Literal Meaning: “godliness” refers to the spiritual states manifested outwardly because of the inner good relationship with God (See the notes in 4:7); “contentment” refers to the inner self-sufficiency and it is in opposition to the lack of and yearning for the external things.

  “Great gain” refers to great result that is far better including the blessing in this life and eternal life. It includes the blessing in this life because godliness and contentment are able to release men from the worry and greediness to things in the world so as to help men avoid the unnecessary sorrows (See v.10). It includes the blessing in eternal life because one does not waste his life in the pursuit of things in this life and turns to pursue all in the coming life and therefore he shall gain the good reward.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The true gain is here: the one who is godly needs nothing and does not hope for anything else and is satisfied with what he has. It is gain and great gain.

2) Godliness with contentment is the spiritual affluence and it makes men fix their eyes on eternal things instead of the temporary things in the present life.

3) The contentment of Christians is that they are satisfied with all the arrangements of God and are not influenced by surroundings.

4) If men rely on Christ and regard Him as the dominator of life we should regard the reward of money as less important and be satisfied with the present situation.

 

1Tim. 6:7 “For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

   YLT: “for nothing did we bring into the world -- manifest that we are able to carry nothing out;”

   Literal Meaning: For we brought nothing into this world” It indicates that we came empty-handed when we were born and we had not carried the external things.

“And it is certain we can carry nothing out” It indicates that we will go empty-handed when we die and we cannot carry the external things out (See Job. 1:21).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Men came naked and will go naked. Men keep hurrying all their life and cannot lay up treasure for themselves (See Luke. 12:16-21) and therefore we should turn to pursue a treasure that does not fail (Luke. 12:33).

2) Men only need the external things in this temporary course when we are alive; once men are dead we cannot carry the external things out and contrarily they become the basis for our rewards and punishment after death. And therefore we should deal with them carefully when alive.

 

1Tim. 6:8 “And having food and clothing with these we shall be content.

   YLT: “but having food and raiment -- with these we shall suffice ourselves;”

   Meaning of Words: “content”: satisfied sufficient (in the original it is different form “contentment” in v.6).

   Literal Meaning: “clothing” refers to things that cover men including clothing and dwelling places; “food” refers to things preserving health including food and all kinds of provisions. “Food and clothing” represents the basic needs of life.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Concerning life on earth all is vanity (Eccl. 1:2). What we have done and labored are the pursuit of the wind (Eccl. 2:11) and cannot be carried to eternal life (See v.7). And therefore having food and clothing with these things we shall be content.

2) The seventh and eighth verses show the reason why men shall be content: a) understanding that all external things are temporary; b) other things are unnecessary except the basic needs (food and clothing) that keeping men’s living.

3) Men’s desire is endless and if we haven’t learned to be “content” we will never be satisfied. We shall still be short of something no matter how much we have gained.

 

1Tim. 6:9 “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.

   YLT: “and 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 ”

   Meaning of Words: “temptation”: try enticement; “lusts”: desires concupiscence; “drown”: inundate sink immerse; “destruction”: devastation; “perdition”: ruin loss.

   The Background: “fall into…a snare” The habitual means that hunters catch wild animals is setting up a trap and putting the baits above the trap so as to attract wild animals to rush to the baits above the trap and then the trap would collapse and they fall into the trap.

   Literal Meaning: But those who desire to be rich” refers to those who have the strong desire of being rich.

“Fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and harmful lusts” “foolish and harmful lusts” refers to the foolish lusts that are harmful to themselves. The whole sentence means that greediness brings in the ending of tragedy.

“Which drown men in destruction and perdition” the word “drown” implies that one cannot extricate himself from something; “destruction” stresses on the physical aspect; “perdition” stresses on the spiritual aspect. In other words “destruction” refers to the physical loss and “perdition” refers to the spiritual loss.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The one who desires to be rich shall fall into the snare of temptation and have many foolish and lethal lusts which would drown him into the abyss of perdition.

2) If a man regards gaining the physical wealth as the purpose of his life he will seek and grab money unscrupulously and consequently he will fall into sins.

3) We should have money however we should not be greedy for money (See v.10). Money is for our use however we should not be crazy about money.

4) Lust is a bottomless pit and if men fall into it the pit cannot be filled up no matter how much effort men have made. No matter how much money men have made the desire of being rich cannot be satisfied.

5) This verse expresses the three steps of men’s fall: a) one is tempted; b) one is controlled by lusts; c) one’s morality is corrupted.

 

1Tim. 6:10 “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.

   YLT: “for 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;”

   Meaning of Words: “greediness”: long for crave desire covet stretch out both hands to hug; “have strayed from”: be seduced be lead astray.

   Literal Meaning: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” “root” refers to the source; the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil however it is not the only root (See Rom. 7:7-24).

“For which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness” “greediness” indicates one has inordinate thoughts of money and therefore he longs for it. “Having strayed from” refers to drifting through the wind i.e. wandering. “From the faith” refers to abandoning the faith.

“And pierced themselves through with many sorrows” “sorrows” refers to the wounds of hearts; “pierced themselves through” describes suffering all kinds of troubles.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) A root of all kinds of evil is not “money” itself but “greed”. If money is used well it will influence our future greatly (See v.19).

2) The reason why Christians have not walked well in the spiritual way is their greediness. Men could commit fewer sins if they are not greedy.

3) Those who are greedy for money cannot discern right and wrong and the relative importance in the faith and it is easy for them to stray from the faith.

4) No matter what excuses you make the desire of being rich will cause the miserable ending of soul finally.

5) We who believe in the Lord should believe that God shall feed us so that we shall not lack (See Matt. 6:25-33; Ps. 23:1) on one hand; on the other we should not vainly hope to be rich by God (for example asking God to let us win a lottery and etc.) “for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows”.

 

1Tim. 6:11 “But you O man of God flee these things and pursue righteousness godliness faith love patience gentleness.

   YLT: “and thou O man of God these things flee and pursue righteousness piety faith love endurance meekness;”

   Meaning of Words: “man of God”: God’s man; “flee”: run away; “pursue”: seek earnestly.

   Literal Meaning: But you O man of God flee these things” “man of God” in the narrow sense refers to prophets and apostles who speak for God (See 1Kings. 17:24) and in the broad sense it refers to all believers (See 2Tim. 3:17). “Flee” in the original means running desperately without turning back. It is not only the negative “not thinking not seeing not listening” but also the positive turning away. “These things” refers to disputes and arguments over words and making money by utilizing the faith which are previously mentioned (v.4-10).

“Pursue righteousness godliness faith love patience gentleness” It means that we should pursue the spiritual virtues and these are the true treasure of Christians. “Pursue” in the original means pursuing constantly all one’s life; “righteousness” refers to being right before God and men; “godliness” refers to manifesting God in the daily life (See 3:16); “faith” refers to trusting and relying on God and His word; “love” refers to loving men in the love of God (1John. 4:7-8 19-21); “patience” refers to suffering persecution and tribulations; “gentleness” refers to the meek attitude to those who are against us.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) We are not of the world but of God. What a man of God pursues is absolutely different from what a man of the world pursues.

2) A man of the world desires to be rich however we men of God flee from the things of loving money.

3) A man of the world seeks pursues physical things however we men of God pursue spiritual things. Gaining the spiritual things is much more important than gaining the worldly things. We should not only know it but also put it into practice earnestly.

4) “Righteousness godliness faith love patience gentleness” is not gained easily and we should try our best and pay the price to pursue them with price.

 

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.

   YLT: “be 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.”

   Meaning of Words: “fight”: contest compete; “lay hold on”: seize hold; “eternal life”: everlasting life; “confession”: acknowledgement the expression of the faith.

   Literal Meaning: Fight the good fight of faith” “fight” in the original means doing one’s best to compete in the sports ground (See 1Cor. 9:25) and in this epistle it is used to describe one’s effort for the faith (See 1:18). “The good fight of faith” refers to the responsibility that preachers should take including preaching the gospel and speaking for God.

“Lay hold on eternal life” It does not mean that if we have not laid hold on eternal life that we have received there will be the possibility of losing it. It indicates that: 1) we should fully appropriate the good points of eternal life and on which we serve and fight; 2) from the angle of eternal life we see the eternal value of service and fight today.

“To which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” this sentence means that: 1) Timothy had bore good witness when he was a new believer (Acts. 16:2); 2) Timothy bore good witness when he followed Paul to preach the word and serve the Lord (Pill. 2:22; 1Cor. 4:17).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The life of Christians is fighting with the world and the devil constantly in order to keep the faith and make ourselves live in the faith.

2) The true faith is able to change eternal life------grace in future into the present blessing.

3) Eternal life (i.e. the holy and everlasting life) that God has given believers is the source on which we rely to resist heresies and confess good confession in life and works.

4) Here Paul with a tone of order commanded Timothy to put the purpose that God had called him and the confession that he had confessed before all into practice because if he wanted to be faithful unto the end he must pay the great price.

 

1Tim. 6:13 “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

   YLT: “I charge thee before God who is making all things alive and of Christ Jesus who did testify before Pontius Pilate the right profession ”

   Literal Meaning: in the sight of God who gives life to all things” this sentence emphasizes that in God we live and move and have our being (Acts. 17:24-28) and therefore we need not be afraid of men (Matt. 10:28).

“Who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate” “Pontius Pilate” is the full name of the governor who was accredited by the Roman Emperor to Judea (Luke. 3:1; Acts. 4:27). The Lord once declared that He is the king however His kingdom is not of this world; and Pilate did not find fault in Him at all (Luke. 23:3-4; John. 18:36-38). In this way the Lord witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate.

  I urge youand before Christ Jesus” “Christ Jesus” refers to the Son of God who came into the world to be a man. “Urging before…” has the double meaning: 1) urging before God makes Timothy advance bravely and without any fear when fighting for the faith; 2) urging before the Lord makes Timothy follow the example of the Lord and know the meaning of fighting for the faith.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Since God is the one who gives life to all things no one could harm us without the permission of God.

2) Though the Lord Jesus clearly knew that His end was crucifixion he was still unwilling to depart from the faith before the power of the world. As our Lord is so are we who serve Him.

3) All things live and exist for God and if we are able to seek and obey the will of God in life we shall witness the good confession for God.

 

1Tim. 6:14 “that you keep this commandment without spot blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing

   YLT: “that thou keep the command unspotted unblameable till the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ ”

   Literal Meaning: that you keep this commandment” in the narrow sense “this commandment” refers to the commandment in v.11-12 and in the broad sense it could refer to the wholesome words of the Lord Jesus Christ and the doctrine which accords with godliness (See v.3 20).

“Without spot blameless” “without spot” refers to having not been adulterated by others and it implies purity and concentration. “Blameless” indicates that others cannot find fault in him. They together refer to holding fast to the commandment and not suffering any compromise.

“Until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing” is until the coming of the Lord and it means constancy.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Christians should hold on the faith “without spot and blameless” and should never make a compromise with the enemy.

2) When working for the Lord we should take the Lord’s second coming as motive and power. Our hope for the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ is the reason and power that we hold on the faith. 

3) Believers should take three attitudes to obeying the word of the Lord: a) without spot; b) blameless; c) until the appearing of the Lord.

 

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

   YLT: “which in His own times He shall shew -- the blessed and only potentate the King of the kings and Lord of the lords ”

   Literal Meaning: in His own time” “time” in the original is a specified time which is fixed and constant and it refers to the time of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The time is ordained (1Thess. 1:10; 4:16). Though there will be omens before the time (2Thess. 2:1-8) no one clearly know the certain day (Matt. 24:36).

He who is the blessed and only Potentate the King of kings and Lord of lords” here “He who is the blessed” should refer to God the Father (See Acts. 1:7); “only Potentate” indicates that He absolutely controls time and all things; “the King of kings and Lord of lords” indicates that His honor and power surpass all.

“Which He will manifest” indicates that Christ comes for the second time and manifests glory to the world.

 

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.

   YLT: “who only is having immortality dwelling in light unapproachable whom no one of men did see nor is able to see to whom honour and might age-during! Amen.”

   Literal Meaning: who alone has immortality” indicates that He is the only one who lasts forever basing on His nature and power.

“Dwelling in unapproachable light” indicates that the place where He dwells is so light that men cannot gaze at it steadily with their eyes.

“Whom no man has seen or can see” Pleas see Exod. 33:17-23; John 1:18.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) This incomparable and alone-honored Master Himself cannot be seen and approached by men and therefore He keeps working until He makes His Son our Lord Jesus Christ completely manifest all the fullness of the Godhead so that the King of kings and Lord of lords could be manifested before the eyes of all be seen by all and reign in all (See v.15; Rev. 19:1-16).

2) We shall see the ultimate glorious hope i.e. “He will manifest…the glorious Christ in His own time” (See v.15). Such glorious hope is the excitation today and reward in the coming for all who have been entrusted and warriors of the faith.  

 

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.

   YLT: “Those 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; --”

   Meaning of Words: “uncertain”: changeable unreliable.

   Literal Meaning: Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty” “haughtiness” is always a common failing of the rich.

“Nor to trust in uncertain riches” “uncertain riches” refers to the feature of money: it is unworthy of trust because it could deteriorate be lost be devalued be stolen (See Matt. 6:19) become useless (Luke. 16:9) and make themselves wings and fly away (Prov. 23:5).

“But in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy” “all things” refers to all the physical enjoyments that God gives men.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) It is not a sin that Christians are rich if the source of their treasure is right. However the rich believers have two risks: haughtiness and trusting in riches instead of God.

2) The best way to test whether a believer is haughty is to see whether he respects the teachings of God’s servants (See 1Thess. 5:20) because God’s servants are those who preach the word of God and they are worthy of double honor (See 5:17).

3) Since God is not sparing in giving us all things and He is willing to give us them to enjoy He shall not disregard our needs.

 

1Tim. 6:18 “Let them do good that they be rich in good works ready to give willing to share

   YLT: “to do good to be rich in good works to be ready to impart willing to communicate ”

   Literal Meaning: Let them do good that they be rich in good works” v.17 shows the negative aspect of money: it is unworthy of trust and v.18 shows the positive use of money: it can be used as the tool to do good.

“Ready to give willing to share” “ready to give” emphasizes that the motive of doing good should be the willingness from heart. “Willing to share” stresses on the outward behavior: one is abundant shares with others and is not sparing in giving.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God gives us richly all things (See v.17) not only to enjoy but also to share with the poor. And therefore we should never make money our own and use money well to seek the benefit of all.

2) The majority of us have enough money to share with men and the problem is not that we lack money but that we lack the willingness to share with others. 

3) Those who are enriched in money should be enriched in good works according the will acceptable to God (See Eph. 2:10).

4) Christians’ attitude to money: the more we are rich the more responsibilities we take for doing good.

5) Christians should take care of each other and help each other and it is the “social system” in the church.

6) It is the practical performance of being rich in good works to share money with those who are in need so that they shall be saved from difficult positions.

 

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

   YLT: “treasuring up to themselves a right foundation for the time to come that they may lay hold on the life age-during.”

   Literal Meaning: storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come” “the time to come” refers to the coming age (it is in contrast with “this present age” in v.17). The whole sentence shows that we believers should use money well in this age storing up for ourselves a good foundation so that we could enjoy in the coming age.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If Christians use money well we shall store up for ourselves a good foundation for the time to come (See Matt. 6:20; Luke. 16:9).

2) If the physical riches are only for the enjoyment in this age they could only benefit the short physical life. However if they are used to do good they will benefit the everlasting and true life forever.

3) The everlasting and true life that God gives us is the very important and indispensible element to the life of Christians. 

4) Rich ones in this life should know that the best way to use money is to “be ready to give and willing to share” (See v.17-18). In this way we could “store up the good foundation” “for ourselves” in the time to come and make the “uncertain riches” have the everlasting value. If we only covet the enjoyment at present or be stingy moneygrubbers we will descent into the Hades and suffer the pain of being burnt. How foolish (See Luke. 16:19-31)!

 

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--

   YLT: “O Timotheus the thing entrusted guard thou avoiding the profane vain-words and opposition of the falsely-named knowledge ”

   Meaning of Words: “what was committed to your trust”: a deposit something put down alongside what is left in somebody’s care.

   Literal Meaning: O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust” “Guard” means that one not only is faithful to what was committed to his trust but also defends what was committed to his trust and would never lose it. “What was committed to your trust” refers to the sound faith (See 2Tim. 1:13-14).

“Avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge--” “the profane and idle babblings” refers to the empty talks without the spiritual meaning; “contradictions” refers to the contrary views; “what is falsely called knowledge” refers to the false knowledge.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Christians must discern what we should guard and what we should flee from and when we know the sense of propriety we won’t waste the efforts.

2) Preachers should avoid the profane and idle babblings and groundless philosophy. It is the example and also the witness.

 

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

   YLT: “which certain professing -- concerning the faith did swerve; the grace with you. Amen.”

   Literal Meaning: Grace be with you” Here “you” not only refers to Timothy but also refers to all the brothers and sisters in Ephesus and even includes all believers who read this epistle.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

The Attitude that the Believing Bondservants should Take

I. To unbelieving masters:

  A. the responsibility: count their own masters worthy of all honor (v.1a).

  B. the reason: so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed (v.1b).

II. To believing masters:

  A. the negative responsibility: not despise them because they are brethren (v.2a).

  B. the positive responsibility: but rather serve them (v.2b).

  C. the reason: because those who are benefited are believers and beloved (v.2c).

 

Several Comparisons in the Sixth Chapter of the First Epistle of Timothy

I. Bondservants< > masters (v.1-2).

II. The name of God and His doctrine are blasphemed < > having confessed the good confession (v.1 12-13).

III. Otherwise < > the faith (v.3 10 20-21).

IV. The wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ < > disputes and arguments over words (v.3-4).

V. The doctrine which accords with godliness < > contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge (v.3 20).

VI. A means of gain < > ready to give willing to share (v.5 18).

VII. Destitute of the truth < > guard what was committed to your trust (v.5 14 20).

VIII. Contentment < > desire to be rich in their greediness (v.6-10).

IX. Being drowned in destruction and perdition < > laying hold on eternal life (v.9 12).

X. Having strayed from the faith < > fighting the good fight of faith (v.10 12).

XI. Fleeing < > pursuing (v.11).

XII. Trust in uncertain riches < > trusting in the living God (v.17).

XIII. Being rich in this present age < > storing up for the time to come (v.17 19).

XIV. Laying hold on eternal life < > straying concerning the faith (v.19 21).

 

The Seven Features of Those who Teach Otherwise

I. They do not obey the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ (v.3a).

II. They do not obey the doctrine which accords with godliness (v.3b).

III. They are proud knowing nothing (v.4a).

IV. They are obsessed with disputes and arguments over words (v.4b).

V. They bring in four bad fruits: envy strife reviling evil suspicions (v.4c).

VI. They are men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth (v.5a).

VII. They suppose that godliness is a means of gain (v.5b).

 

The Key of Contentment

I. The key of contentment is godliness (v6-8).

II. The key of contentment is not money (v.9-10).

 

The Reasons Why Preachers should not Love Money

I. The negative reason:

  A. it makes men fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition (v.9).

  B. it makes men stray from the faith in their greediness and pierce themselves through with many sorrows (v.10).

II. The positive reason------our Lord Jesus Christ is coming (v.15-16).

 

Four Things that A Man of God should Do

I. Flee “these things”------ungodliness and the love of money (v.11a).

II. Pursue righteousness godliness faith love patience and gentleness (v.11b).

III. Fight the good fight of faith (v.12a).

IV. Lay hold on eternal life (v.12b).

 

What Are Needed to Work for the Lord

I. Pursue the growth in life (v.11).

II. Confess the good confession (v.12).

III. Try one’s best to seek perfection (v.13).

IV. Take the Lord’s coming as power (v.14).

V. Guard what was committed to your trust (v.20a).

VI. Avoid the profane and idle babblings (v.20b).

VII. Avoid contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge (v.20c).

 

The Being of God (v.15-16)

I. The blessed.

II. Only Potentate

III. The King of kings

IV. Lord of lords

V. Alone has immortality

VI. Dwelling in unapproachable light

VII. Whom no man has seen

VIII. Whom no man can see

IX. To whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

 

What Those Who Are Rich in This Present Age Should Know

I. Not to be haughty (v.17a).

II. Not to trust in uncertain riches (v.17b).

III. Trusting in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy (v.17c).

IV. Doing good ready to give and willing to share (v.18).

V. Storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come (v.19a).

VI. Laying hold on eternal life (v.19b).

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren