FIRST TIMOTHY
Chapter Six
(vs 1) "Servants" -- Slaves. Slavery was common to most nations at
this time. The gospel did not openly condemn slavery;
yet where the gospel goes, slavery disappears.
"under the yoke" -- the position of the slave.
"masters" -- Here the master was an unbeliever. It would be
so easy for the child of God to rebel against an
unbelieving master, but Paul says this should not
happen.
"honor" -- respect, obedience.
"the doctrine" -- the Gospel, the cause of Christ.
"be not blasphemed" -- Do not cause the religion of Christ to
be evil spoken against because of your actions. The
Christian slave should not bring reproach against
Christ.
(vs 2) "believing masters" -- members of God's family. If a slave
who was a Christian was to obey the unbelieving master,
how much more should he respect the believing master.
NOTE: The Christian slave might reason that they
are both in Christ, thus should be equal in all other
relationships. Such was not the case. Being in Christ
did not dissolve the civil relationship of master and
slave. No doubt, it made it better.
"brethren" -- both are children of God.
"partakers of the benefit...." -- The slave should show his
love for his master, performing his duties and tasks,
seeing that his master prospers. Also, the believing
master shares in the good work of a believing slave.
NOTE: Eph. 6:5-9. Cf. Workers and Bosses.
Philemon 1:10-17 -- Onesimus, the runaway slave.
"Teach and exhort" -- Once again Timothy is admonished to
fulfill his responsibility as a teacher.
(vs 3) "a different doctrine" -- Contrary to what Paul taught; here
specifically, that slaves were to be obedient to their
masters.
"sound words" -- Healthful teaching. Teaching that is based
upon the language of Christ Jesus. Christ must be the
center and focus of all that is taught. Any other
teaching will not produce "godliness."
NOTE: False teachers have been present since the days
of the apostles and continue until today. Those who
fill the pulpits that they might enrich themselves at
the expense of others. 2 Peter 2:1-3.
(vs 4) "puffed up" -- filled with pride; self-conceited.
"knowing nothing" -- ignorant of the truth of the gospel.
"doting" -- "to exhibit mental decline of or like that of old
age; to show excessive or foolish affection or
fondness." (Webster) "Sick."
NOTE: They deal with subtle, useless, foolish,
questions which engenders strife and confusion that
results in........
"envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings" -- the results of
foolish questions.
"envy" -- evil desire to have another's prosperity.
"strife" -- angry contentions, quarrelsome, argumentative.
"railings" -- Abusive language; harsh.
"evil surmisings" -- Attributing evil motives to others;
jealousy; the absence of love. Those who do not trust
in God find it difficult to trust in themselves. They
thus accuse others of evil doings.
(vs 5) "corrupted in mind" -- Having left the truth, nothing is left
except a corrupted mind, filled with pride and
ignorance.
"bereft of the truth" -- This suggests that they were once in
the truth, but had left it; in search of their own
financial enrichment.
"godliness is a way of gain" -- Their religion was based upon
what they could get out of it in material gains. They
were not concerned with saving souls, but rather, with
what they obtain in worldly possessions. Cf. Tit. 1:11.
(vs 6) "godliness with contentment..." Contentment is found in the
heart, not in material gains. What a valuable lesson!!
To find contentment without riches or earthly
treasures.
NOTE: Contentment is found in godliness, being like
God in every aspect. GREAT GAIN.
(vs 7) Earthly possessions are for this earth and it only. It is a
known fact among all people; we shall take nothing of
this physical world with us.
"The pockets of a shroud are empty." The only thing
we shall take with us is what we have sent on before.
(vs 8) Food and clothing are the essentials in life. Everything else
is extra.
Contentment is within the grasp of each one. It is found in
the fellowship we enjoy with our great God. Yet, so few
truly find it. Paul and Silas had learned how to sing
songs while in the dungeon in Philippi.
(vs 9) "mindful to be rich" -- The desire to have riches causes one
to succumb to temptations. The attainment of riches has
caused many to turn away from Christ.
"snare" -- as an animal falls into a trap, so do men who seek
for riches. The desire for money causes many to enter
into "foolish and hurtful lusts."
"drown men....." -- overwhelmed by fleshly desires. The
tragedy is that eventually they shall drown in the lake
of fire; in eternal condemnation.
(vs 10) "Love of money" -- It is not money per se that is wrong, but
the LOVE of money. When there is a "love for money,"
one will be led into many sinful actions; "root of all
kinds of evil."
"led astray...." The love of money and the love for Christ
cannot exist in the same person. When one strives for
money, he or she will eventually turn their back on the
Lord.
"many sorrows" -- spiritual suicide; sorrow upon sorrow, etc.
(vs 11) "O man of God" -- How encouraging this statement must have
been to Timothy. "Man of God" is often used in the
scriptures to identify God's servant. -- 2 Tim. 3:17.
We all belong to God, purchased with the blood of
Christ.
"flee" -- Run. We are to "fight" the good warfare, but we are
to flee temptations. If we attempt to get close to sin,
rest assured, we will lose.
"follow" -- These we must do.
"righteousness" -- Being right before God. How does one
obtain and continue to the right before God? By finding
and doing His Will, through study and practice.
"godliness" -- Being God like!! Radiating the characteristics
of God. Reflecting His nature.
"faith" -- Did not Timothy already have faith? Surely so.
But, Timothy, increase in your faith. Allow your faith
to grow and mature. Live by faith. Cf. 1 Pet. 1:3-12.
"love" -- God is love. 1 Jn. 4:8. Christ was the supreme
example of love. Jn. 3:16.
"patience" -- Steadfastness. Faithful in the face of trials
and difficulties.
Cf. Job was a patient man.
"meekness" -- Not weakness!! Strength under control. Not one
who slashes out at those who would injure us.
(vs 12) "Fight" -- We are engaged in a battle; a war. Eph. 6:10-17.
"life eternal" -- The end results; the reward; the crown. The
reward (Prize) is well worth the effort.
2 Tim. 4:5-8.
"called" -- Heaven's invitation. 2 Thess. 2:14. All men are
called (invited), but few respond. Mt. 11:28-30.
"good confession" -- This may have reference to his initial
obedience to the gospel, or to his standing firm in the
face of danger, even death.
(vs 13) "charge" -- Not a suggestion or exhortation, but a solemn
charge; command.
"sight of God" -- The father is ever watching, keeping tab.
"who giveth life to all" -- God is the source of all life.
cf. Jn.1:4.
"of Christ Jesus" -- When on trial for His life, Jesus
acknowledged His kinship with the Father.
NOTE: Rom. 10:9-10. This involves more than confessing
Christ at the time of our obedience to the gospel. It
is a daily need as we journey toward "life eternal."
(vs 14) "keep the commandments" -- obey the teachings of Christ.
"without spot, without reproach" -- Free from sin. There can
be no vacillating, no turning aside; without flaw.
"until..." -- as long as we shall live.
(vs 15) At the time appointed by the Father Jesus shall return and
reveal the true character of God:
"Potentate" -- One possessing all power, rule.
"King of kings" -- Over all others.
"Lord of lords" -- Over all lords.
(vs 16) "immortality" -- Free from death, suffering, decay.
"dwelling in....." -- Man cannot see God, nor Christ.
"no man...." -- God is a spirit and no man can see a spirit.
Cf. When Saul (Acts 9:5-9 was given a momentary glimpse of
the radiance of Jesus, he was blinded.
"honor and power eternal" -- He deserves all honor, worship.
A CHARGE TO THE RICH
(vs 17) "Charge" -- Admonish those who have material possessions.
"be not highminded" -- filled with pride.
"uncertainty of riches" -- Do not put your confidence in the
riches of this world. How easy it is for money to fail.
Do not put your trust in that which is so fleeting.
"but on God" -- Set your hope on God, who never fails. Allow
His will to guide us in all things.
"giveth us richly..." -- Jehovah is the source of every good
blessing. Jas 1:17; Phil. 4:19.
NOTE: The physical things of this world have been given
for our enjoyment; just so long as they are used within
the regulations of His Word. We also enjoy spiritual
blessings in Christ.
(vs 18) "they" -- those who have material wealth. Wealth does have
some advantages; it can be used to help those in need.
"do good" -- One blessing afforded to those who are rich. "Be
rich in good works." Happy in helping others.
"ready to distribute" -- Jesus said, "It is more blessed to
give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).
"willing to communicate" -- a partnership with those in
Christ.
(vs 19) "Laying up in store" -- Preparing to meet God. Using one's
wealth in such a way so as to please Jehovah. Doing
good those in need.
NOTE: Wealth carries with it a tremendous
responsibility. It is so easy for the rich to hoard it
for some future event. Jesus teaches to use money
wisely, to prepare for eternity. (Luke 16:9)
But, those who are not "rich" also have an
obligation to do "good" unto all men. (Gal.6:10).
Within the framework of their abilities, coupled with
their opportunities.
FINAL CHARGE TO TIMOTHY
(Vs 20) "guard" -- Timothy, you have a trust --- GUARD IT. Do not
add to it, or take from it. This is the very reason
that Timothy was left in Ephesus. It was not Timothy's
message, but the Lord's. That which was "committed unto
thee."
"turning away" -- negative side; reject...
"profane babblings" -- useless talks and argumentations. This
is the same warnings Paul gave when he opened the
letter. 1 Tim. 1:3-6. It usually does little good to
argue with a babbler. Often argumentation gives dignity
and validity to the false teacher.
NOTE: Usually false teachers imagine themselves to be
full of knowledge, while they are puffed up with their
own ego.
(vs 21) "erred" -- When man turns aside from the truth of God's Word
they make shipwreck their own faith and those over whom
they may have an influence.
NOTE: It make little difference how ridiculous or
foolish the "profane babblings" might be, there are
always some who will follow it. Usually the false
teacher claims to have some new or better understanding
while in reality they are in darkness and despair.
"the faith" -- the gospel.
"Grace be with you" -- May the good favor of God be with you.
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