1 Timothy, Chapter 6
© Copyright 2002 Darroll Evans, all
rights reserved
All that are under authority should regard
those over them to be worthy of honor so that the name of God may not be spoken
of disparagingly.
What does that mean?
It refers to the workplace, but where do the
leaders of the Church work?
They work in the Church!
Pastors, Deacons, Teachers, etc. should
examine this verse and put it into practice within the Church in their dealings
with the Saints.
1 Timothy 6:2 And they that have believing
masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do
them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.
These things teach and exhort.
Those that are leaders should not be
disrespectful to these that are not called to be leaders.
We are called to be Saints, and
"Saint" is as high as it gets.
If you are called to be a servant or leader
of the Church, be faithful to your calling.
As a Pastor, or one of the Church servants,
your position in Christ is that of a Saint, but your position within the Church
is as a slave!
1 Timothy 6:3-5
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the
words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to
godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of
words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth,
supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
If a person teaches a doctrine that is not
based on Jesus Christ and the unlimited grace of God, his doctrine is false!
Our teaching must promote godliness.
The person that teaches adversely to the
gospel of grace in Christ Jesus teaches from human pride and does not
understand godliness.
The NASB says that such a person "has a
morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words."
The outcome of such false teaching is envy,
strife, slander, false conjecture, and constant arguing.
The men that teach falsely may rule certain
congregations, but they never bring the word of God to sinners.
Their supposed education is not in holiness.
1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with
contentment is great gain.
This verse is a simple statement of fact.
Spiritual contentment is based completely in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into
this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
Here is another fact.
1 Timothy 6:8 And having food and raiment
let us be therewith content.
The one thing I never do is to complain about
a meal that another person prepared.
Be content with what God has provided.
1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich
fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,
which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Those whose only purpose in life is to become
wealthy will "fall into temptation."
There will never be enough.
The praise used here is "hurtful
lusts."
That comes from the Greek word—epithumias.
The Greek text indicates a desire for that
which is forbidden.
Any unnatural desire for wealth and power is
foolish because it is harmful to the individual and also to society.
This verse says that such will "drown
men in destruction and perdition."
The word “drown” comes from the Greek word—buthizuosin.
That Greek word speaks of---getting in over
your head.
Christ did not go to the cross so that we may
ride in limos and fly in private jets.
He died to save us from the sins that plague
us and lead to spiritual death.
On the cross, He took our sins—not our
financial debts.
I am not advocating that we are to live in
poverty.
But let me ask, what is the point of your
ambition?
Are you just seeking wealth?
If you seek prosperity so that you may help
others, you may become wealthy---that is for your benefit and ours.
Romans 13:8---Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he
who loves another has fulfilled the law (NKJV).
The Bible tells us to owe no one.
Many of the wealthy are among the greatest
debtors.
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is
the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the
faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
"The love of money is a root all evil."
Money is neither good nor bad.
The chase for wealth has caused some to lose
direction in the things of faith.
Where is your focus?
Families are destroyed when the seeking for
wealth is placed above family relationships.
God gives us children so we can be parents.
Providing a stable, loving environment for
our children is far more important that providing a luxurious environment.
1 Timothy 6:11 But thou, O man of God,
flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
patience, meekness.
Paul then offers this advice---"flee
these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience,
meekness."
The word "flee" is translated from
the Greek word pheuge.
It means to flee to safety.
We find spiritual safety only in Christ
Jesus.
If you seek Jesus, you will find
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness.
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of
faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast
professed a good profession before many witnesses.
How do we fight the good fight?
We do it by prayer and trust---prayer to God
the father and trust in His Son.
What is our good profession? "Jesus is
Lord!"
1 Timothy 6:13-16
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and
before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the
appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the
King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach
unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power
everlasting. Amen.
We have also been charged to keep the
commandment of love until the coming again of Christ Jesus.
We must understand that "His times"
is and appointed time.
In that day, He shall be manifested to the
entire human race as the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.
And, we shall be manifested to all as His
people.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor
trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all
things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute,
willing to communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to
come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
The rich of this age are not to be
egotistical concerning their wealth.
Also, they are not to think that their wealth
is a sign of their salvation.
In ancient days, wealth was supposed to be a
sign of God’s love for the individual.
Although many in Jesus’ day (and in this)
believed that riches were given to the saved, Jesus debunked that theory.
Luke 18:25-27
25 "For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than
for a rich man to enter the
26 And those who heard it said, "Who then can be saved?"
27 But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible
with God." (NKJV)
1 Timothy 6:20-21
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and
vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee.
Amen.
Paul’s final advice to Timothy was to
avoid idle chatter and oppose false science (knowledge) (Gr. gnooseoos).
Much of what passes for modern
"science" is unproved theory.
Such false speculation takes us out of the
realm of scientific knowledge.
God’s grace is not opposed to true scientific
knowledge.
Paul closes with the greatest of all
knowledge—the knowledge of God’s grace.