6:1 Various Duties Enjoined

SUMMARY OF I TIMOTHY 6:

Duties of Servants. Life the Test of Doctrine. The Blessedness of Contentment. The Danger of the Love of Money. Charge to the Man of God. A Lesson for the Rich.

Let as many servants as are under the yoke. Under the yoke of slavery. The slaves were as numerous as the free population, and many of the early Christians belonged to this class.

Count their own masters worthy of all honour. There was danger that these converted slaves would despise their heathen masters. If they were to do so, it would create a great odium against the Christian religion and lead to attempts to extirpate it. Slavery was to be destroyed, not by putting a spirit of insubordination into slaves, but by putting a Christian spirit into masters.

6:2 They that have believing masters, let them not despise them. Converted slaves must not despise their masters,

because they are brethren. Because in the church they are equal.

Rather, do them service. Rather, they must serve them better, because they are beloved brethren, and partakers of the benefit of their service.

6:3 If any man teacheth otherwise. Teach new doctrines or duties which differ from the doctrine of Christ. See 1Ti 1:3,4.

6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing. The idea is that he is blinded with pride, so that he really knows nothing.

But doting about questions and strifes of words. Morbidly dwelling upon foolish questions. He no doubt refers to foolish disputes which had been sprung upon the church by heretical teachers.

6:5 Supposing that gain is godliness. Men who have come into the church for gain and think that godliness is a source of gain.

6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. In contrast with this false view a godly life with contentment is a great gain. It brings its greatest gain in eternity.

6:7 For we brought nothing into this world. See Job 1:21.

And it is certain we can carry nothing out. Since we must leave the earth as we came into it, contentment and an immortal hope are better than earthly gains.

6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. Having the necessities of life let us be content without piling up wealth.

6:9 They that will be rich. Who have set their heart on riches.

Fall into temptation and a snare. Are tempted to do sinful things in order to build up wealth. It is not much the possession of wealth, as cupidity and a trust in riches, which constitute the danger. See notes on Mt 19:23 Mr 10:23.

6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil. Not the money itself, which if used as by a steward of God is a blessing, so much as the love of it. This greedy love is the source of every sin. Men murder, cheat, lie, rob, run saloons, gambling houses, brothels, all for the love of money. For love of money Judas sold his Master.

Some... have erred from the faith. Have wandered from the faith through the love of money. Judas is one example.

6:11 Man of God. This expression is used in the sense of an evangelist devoted to God's work. See 1Sa 9:6,8 1Ki 13:1,4,8.

Flee from these things. The love of money. Instead of following after money, seek after righteousness, etc.

6:12 Fight the good fight of faith. The thought is of a soldier. See 1Ti 1:18. The Christian life is a struggle. Oppose hurtful earthful lusts, but seize upon eternal life.

Hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. When called to eternal life. The Speaker's Commentary says,

This refers probably to his baptism, when, as we know from very early times, a public profession of faith was made.''

Bengel writes,

The Divine call, and the confession of believers are correlatives; they imply each other.''

Compare Ac 8:37.

6:13 I give thee charge in the sight of God... and before Christ Jesus. See 1Ti 1:5,18. The whole epistle is a charge, and here at the close Paul renews the charge very solemnly.

Who before Pontius Pilate testified a good confession. The Greek may be rendered under Pontius Pilate. Jesus before the Sanhedrin confessed that he was the Christ, the Son of God (Mt 26:63,64), and on that confession they condemned him to death and hurried him to Pilate for execution (Mt 27:1,2). Ibelieved this is what Paul refers to. Though before Pilate our Lord reaffirmed in substance this same confession (Joh 18:33-37).

6:14 That thou keep this commandment. Not one only, but the will of Christ.

Until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. The language seems to imply a feeling that Christ would come in Timothy's time; at any rate Timothy is to keep that in view.

6:15 Which in his time he shall shew. In God's own times. Man knows not the day or hour (Mt 24:36).

The blessed and only Potentate. All power in heaven and earth had been placed in Jesus Christ's hands (Mt 28:18 Re 17:14 19:16).

6:16 Who only hath immortality. See Joh 5:26. He is the source from whence there comes to man eternal life.

Dwelling in the light. Surrounded by the divine splendors which no mortal can gaze upon.

6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world. Some in Ephesus had riches. These must be humble and condescend to men of low estate (Ro 12:16). Their trust must be in God, rather than in uncertain riches.

6:18 That they do good. The right use of wealth is given. Let it be a means of doing good so that they may be rich in good works.

6:19 Laying up in store for themselves. Treasure in heaven by giving for good purposes. See close of 1Ti 6:18.

6:20,21 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust. A final exhortation to faithfully discharge his trust.

Oppositions of science. The wild speculations which were already taught by dreamers and which were probably derived from Jewish sources. These speculations and departed from the faith. There are allusions in the Epistles to Ephesus and Colosse to the germs of the same false teaching.

6:20,21 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust. A final exhortation to faithfully discharge his trust.

Oppositions of science. The wild speculations which were already taught by dreamers and which were probably derived from Jewish sources. These speculations and departed from the faith. There are allusions in the Epistles to Ephesus and Colosse to the germs of the same false teaching.