I Timothy 6, Godliness and Contentment

Paul completes his advice on relationships and has some final admonitions for Timothy.

1 Timothy 6: 1-2, Master-slave relationship

All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered.

Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.

Slavery was embedded in the culture of the first century and Paul does not, here, attempt to confront that.  He does say, elsewhere, that if there is an opportunity to be free, a slave should seek freedom. In his short letter to the Colossian elder Philemon, Paul asks Philemon to free his slave Onesimus.

1 Timothy 6: 3-10, Godliness and contentment 

If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions  and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

There is a lot of value and happiness to be had if one avoids the desire for money. It is good to have one's basic needs met; after that godliness with contentment is satsifying!

1 Timothy 6: 11-16,  Pursue righteousness -- freely available in Jesus!

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

Paul's instructions to "fight the good fight" segue into a praise chorus on the power and holiness of God.  God reigns in "unapproachable light".

1 Timothy 6: 17-19, Riches in Christ

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Riches should be primarily spiritual.  Even if one has wealth (which is acceptable here), they should be generous with it.

1 Timothy 6: 20-21, Be on guard

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. 

Grace be with you.

As for Timothy's ministry, Paul is concerned about gossip and empty claims of "knowledge". These concerns prevail today.

The letter ends suddenly, with a final admonition to Timothy followed by "Grace be with you."