Introduction: 1 Timothy 6 covers several topics that include the behavior of servants towards their masters, contentment, warnings against false doctrine and the love of money, as well as some advice for the wealthy. The Apostle Paul speaks of these things to Timothy, imparting wisdom on how to lead a godly life while facing the challenges of the world. This chapter will teach the everyday and spiritual lessons to believers, while looking at other verses in the Bible that point to the teachings in 1 Timothy 6. It is as good for us today in year 2024 as it was when Paul penned this letter to Timothy thousands of years ago.
I. Respect for Masters (1 Timothy 6:1-2)
The chapter starts with Paul teaching that servants should respect their masters, so God’s name and teachings are not spoken against. He emphasizes the importance of serving believing masters with even greater service because they are fellow believers. We read in Ephesians 6:5-7, another place in the Bible where it points out the servant-master relationship and the importance of serving wholeheartedly as if serving the Lord. In Colossians 3:22-24, God’s Word encourages servants to work sincerely, fearing the Lord rather than human masters, and in Titus 2:9-10, the Bible teaches servants to be submissive, to please their masters in every way, and not to talk back to them, which would be a hard thing to do if you were in that situation, but nevertheless, it is what would please God.
II. False Doctrine and Contentment (1 Timothy 6:3-10)
Paul warns against false teachings, and especially the idea that godliness is a means to financial gain, godliness is a means to spiritual gain, more so than financial gain (sometimes the two go hand in hand). He teaches that true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. The love of money is identified as the root of all kinds of evil, and believers are cautioned to avoid this snare of the devil. We also read in Hebrews 13:5, the Bible encourages contentment and trust in God’s provision, warning against the love of money. In 2 Timothy 3:5, God’s Word warns of people having a form of godliness but denying its power, pointing to a contradiction between their actions and true godly living. In the gospels Jesus speaks about serving two masters in Matthew 6:24, He says that no one can serve two masters, speaking of serving God and money.
III. The Good Fight of Faith (1 Timothy 6:11-16)
In these verses, Paul urges Timothy to flee from the lust for wealth and seek true righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. He tells Timothy to fight the good fight of faith and maintain the confession of the hope of eternal life. We see in 2 Timothy 2:22, Paul gives basically the same advice to Timothy, to flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, the Bible uses the example of the Christian life as a race requiring discipline and perseverance to win an imperishable crown, and Hebrews 12:1-2 uses the same analogy of a race set before believers, encouraging them to lay aside every weight and sin, looking to Jesus as the author and finisher of faith.
IV. Instructions for the Rich (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
These verses speak to wealthy believers should not to be arrogant or to put their hope in uncertain riches, but in God. They are encouraged to do good works, be generous, and share, thereby storing up treasures for themselves as a foundation for the coming age. Jesus speaks of the same ideal in Luke 12:33-34, He advises selling possessions and giving to the poor, which will lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven. Also in Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus warns against storing up treasures on earth where they can be destroyed or stolen, but rather lay up treasure in heaven. And in Acts 20:35, the Bible speaks of the blessing of a charitable heart and the words of Jesus that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
V. Final Charge to Timothy (1 Timothy 6:20-21)
In the final verses, Paul ends by entrusting Timothy with the task of guarding what has been entrusted to him, avoiding vain babblings and contradictions of false knowledge, which some have professed and thus strayed from the faith. In 2 Timothy 1:14, Paul urges Timothy to guard the good thing Paul entrusted to him through the Holy Spirit. Colossians 2:8 warns believers against being taken captive by philosophy and empty deceit according to human tradition. And in 2 Peter 3:17, Peter cautions believers to be on guard so that they are not carried away by the error of lawless people and lose their stability.
Conclusion: In 1 Timothy 6, Paul gives Timothy instructions that stand as a teaching guide for all believers. He emphasizes the importance of respecting authority, the dangers of false teachings, the pursuit of godliness, and a call for the rich to trust in God rather than wealth. As believers today, we should listen closely to these instructions, and actively seeking to live a life that is pleasing to God and rich in good works. By doing this, we fight the good fight of faith and lay a solid foundation for the future. Let us as believers protect the faith against error and strive for a life that reflects the love and righteousness of Christ.
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