Paul uniquely commands slaves to honor both believing and unbelieving masters—the only New Testament passage linking servanthood directly to protecting God's reputation from blasphemy.
1 Timothy 6
Instructions for Slaves
1Let 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.
2Those 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. Teach and exhort these things.
False Teaching and Love of Money
3If 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,
4he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions,
5constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such.
6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out.
8But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.
9But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.
10For 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.
Timothy's Personal Charge
11But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
12Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
13I command you before God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession,
14that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15which at the right time he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
16He alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen nor can see, to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.
Instructions for the Rich
17Charge those who are rich in this present age that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;
18that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share;
19laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.
Final Charge and Benediction
20Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge,
21which some profess, and thus have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
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Theme
Paul concludes his first letter to Timothy with practical instructions for various groups within the church, emphasizing contentment over the pursuit of wealth. He warns against false teachers who use religion for financial gain and charges Timothy to pursue righteousness while fighting the good fight of faith. The chapter addresses slaves, the wealthy, and church leaders, consistently emphasizing that godliness with contentment brings true gain, while the love of money leads to spiritual destruction.
Context
This final chapter completes Paul's pastoral guidance to Timothy, following the previous chapter's instructions on church discipline and elder care.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-2 Instructions for Slaves Bondservants should honor their masters to avoid bringing reproach on God's name and doctrine.
- 3-5 Warning Against False Teachers Those who teach contrary doctrine and use godliness for financial gain should be avoided.
- 6-10 The Danger of Loving Money True gain comes from godliness with contentment, while pursuing riches leads to temptation and spiritual ruin.
- 11-16 Timothy's Personal Charge Paul charges Timothy to flee materialism, pursue righteousness, and fight the good fight of faith until Christ's appearing.
- 17-19 Instructions for the Wealthy Rich believers should avoid arrogance, trust in God rather than wealth, and be generous in good works.
- 20-21 Final Charge and Benediction Timothy must guard the gospel truth and avoid false knowledge that leads people away from faith.
Instructions for Slaves
6:1–6:2 epistle instruction solemn
Paul instructs Christian slaves to honor their masters, whether believing or unbelieving, so that God's name and Christian doctrine will not be dishonored.
theme_rarity
Paul uniquely commands slaves to honor both believing and unbelieving masters—the only New Testament passage linking servanthood directly to protecting God's reputation from blasphemy.
False Teaching and Love of Money
6:3–6:10 epistle instruction warning
Paul warns against false teachers and the love of money, emphasizing that godliness with contentment is true gain while the pursuit of wealth leads to spiritual destruction.
person_contrast
Paul uniquely links "the words of our Lord Jesus Christ" directly to economic ethics, making this one of only three passages where Jesus' teachings explicitly frame discussions about wealth and materialism.
Timothy's Personal Charge
6:11–6:16 epistle exhortation solemn
Paul charges Timothy to pursue godly virtues and fight the good fight of faith, keeping the commandment until Christ's appearing. The passage emphasizes God's sovereignty and Christ's eternal kingship.
person_contrast
Timothy, typically associated with grace and calling throughout the New Testament, here uniquely receives military metaphors ("fight the good fight") and sovereign commandments, transforming his pastoral role into that of a divine warrior-guardian.
Instructions for the Rich
6:17–6:19 epistle instruction contemplative
Instructions for wealthy believers to avoid arrogance and place their hope in God rather than riches. They are encouraged to be generous and do good works as preparation for eternal life.
theme_rarity
Paul uniquely links generous giving with "laying up treasure" for eternal life, making this the only New Testament passage where generosity directly functions as preparation for the afterlife.
Final Charge and Benediction
6:20–6:21 epistle exhortation warning
Paul's final charge to Timothy to guard the gospel truth and avoid false knowledge that leads people away from faith. The epistle concludes with a benediction of grace.
person_contrast
Timothy's final appearance in the Pastoral Epistles uniquely pairs him with "guard" and "knowledge" vocabulary, contrasting his typical association with grace and calling themes throughout Paul's other letters.
Insights
Paul uniquely links "the words of our Lord Jesus Christ" directly to economic ethics, making this one of only three passages where Jesus' teachings explicitly frame discussions about wealth and materialism.
Timothy, typically associated with grace and calling throughout the New Testament, here uniquely receives military metaphors ("fight the good fight") and sovereign commandments, transforming his pastoral role into that of a divine warrior-guardian.
Paul uniquely links generous giving with "laying up treasure" for eternal life, making this the only New Testament passage where generosity directly functions as preparation for the afterlife.
Timothy's final appearance in the Pastoral Epistles uniquely pairs him with "guard" and "knowledge" vocabulary, contrasting his typical association with grace and calling themes throughout Paul's other letters.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
1 Timothy 6:1 1 reference
1 Timothy 6:2 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Corinthians 4:17 Lexical
Because of this I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my…
Ephesians 6:21 Lexical
But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, w…
Colossians 4:7 Lexical
All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in t…
Colossians 4:9 Lexical
together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that…
3 John 1:5 Lexical
Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.
1 Timothy 6:3 4 references
Lexicals 4
Titus 1:9 Lexical
holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, an…
2 Timothy 4:3 Lexical
For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themse…
1 Timothy 1:10 Lexical
for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary…
Titus 2:1 Lexical
But say the things which fit sound doctrine,
1 Timothy 6:4 2 references
1 Timothy 6:7 2 references
1 Timothy 6:9 2 references
1 Timothy 6:11 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Timothy 2:22 Lexical
Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure…
Revelation 2:19 Lexical
“I know your works, your love, faith, service, patient endurance, and that your last works are more than the first.
Titus 2:2 Lexical
that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance,
2 Timothy 3:10 Lexical
But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,
1 Thessalonians 1:3 Lexical
remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, befo…
1 Timothy 6:12 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Timothy 4:7 Lexical
I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
Matthew 18:8 Lexical
If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into lif…
Hebrews 12:1 Lexical
Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin whic…
1 Timothy 3:13 Lexical
For those who have served well gain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Je…
1 Timothy 6:13 2 references
1 Timothy 6:14 1 reference
1 Timothy 6:16 5 references
Lexicals 5
Jude 1:25 Lexical
to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17 Lexical
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Matthew 24:36 Lexical
“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
John 5:19 Lexical
Jesus therefore answered them, “Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Fath…
Matthew 22:46 Lexical
No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forward.
1 Timothy 6:20 1 reference
1 Timothy 6:21 1 reference
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