1 Timothy 6

1 Timothy 6 gives practical instruction about Christian life and conduct. Paul speaks about relationships, especially between bondservants and masters, the danger of false teaching, the danger of loving money, and the need to fight the good fight of faith. He also gives instructions to those who are rich, warning them not to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God. The chapter ends with Paul charging Timothy to guard the truth that has been entrusted to him and to stay away from false knowledge that leads people away from the faith.

1 Timothy 6:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.
2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

Paul teaches bondservants to respect their masters so that God’s name and His doctrine would not be dishonored. Even if their situation was difficult, their conduct still mattered because people would judge the faith by the way believers lived. If a servant had a believing master, he should not take advantage of him just because they were brothers in Christ. Instead, he should serve faithfully, knowing that his work benefits a fellow believer who is loved by God. Paul is teaching that Christian faith should make people more faithful, respectful, and responsible, not careless or disrespectful.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 (NKJV)
3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,
4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

Paul warns Timothy about false teachers. These people do not accept the wholesome words of Jesus Christ or the teaching that produces true godliness. Instead of building up faith and holy living, they are proud, argumentative, and obsessed with disputes. Their teaching produces envy, strife, insults, suspicion, and useless arguments. Even worse, they treat godliness as a way to gain money, influence, or personal advantage. Paul tells Timothy to withdraw from such people because their spirit and purpose are corrupt.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NKJV)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

Paul teaches that true gain is not found in money, possessions, or worldly success, but in godliness with contentment. Godliness means living a life that is devoted to God and shaped by His truth. Contentment means being satisfied and thankful with what God provides, instead of always craving more. Paul reminds us that we came into this world with nothing, and we will leave this world with nothing. Therefore, earthly possessions are temporary. If we have the basic needs of life, such as food and clothing, we should learn to be thankful and content. This does not mean we cannot work hard or improve our situation, but it means our heart must not be controlled by greed or dissatisfaction.

1 Timothy 6:9-10 (NKJV)
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

In this passage, Paul gives a strong warning. He is not saying that money itself is evil, or that every rich person is wrong. The danger is the strong desire to be rich and the love of money. When a person’s heart is controlled by money, it becomes a trap. It can lead them into temptation, foolish choices, harmful desires, and spiritual ruin. Paul says that some people have even strayed from the faith because of greed. Instead of finding happiness, they bring many sorrows upon themselves. This passage teaches that chasing riches without contentment can damage the soul. True safety is found in godliness, contentment, and trusting God more than material things.

1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NKJV)
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Paul now turns directly to Timothy and calls him “O man of God.” Instead of following after greed, arguments, false teaching, and the love of money, Timothy must flee from these things. But he must not only run away from evil; he must also pursue what is good. Paul tells him to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. This shows that the Christian life is active. Believers must turn away from worldly desires and actively seek the character of Christ. Paul also tells Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith.” This mean to stand firm in truth, resisting temptation, enduring hardship, and holding tightly to eternal life. Timothy had already confessed his faith before many witnesses, so Paul urges him to continue faithfully in the calling he received.

1 Timothy 6:13-14 (NKJV)
13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,

Paul gives this charge in a very serious way, in the sight of God and before Christ Jesus. God is the One who gives life to all things, so Timothy is serving under the authority of the living God. Paul also points to Jesus Christ, who remained faithful when He stood before Pontius Pilate. Jesus made the good confession by standing for truth and remaining faithful to His Father, even when facing rejection, suffering, and death. In the same way, Timothy must keep the commandment faithfully, without compromise or corruption, until the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. This teaches that believers must remain faithful not only for a short time, but until Christ returns.

1 Timothy 6:15-16 (NKJV)
15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

Paul then lifts Timothy’s mind to God the Father, who will reveal Christ’s appearing in His own perfect time. This shows that the return of Christ is under the Father’s authority and timing. The Father is described as the “blessed and only Potentate,” meaning the supreme Ruler over all. He is the “King of kings and Lord of lords,” because all authority, power, and rulers are under Him. Paul also says that He alone has immortality, meaning the Father is the original source of life and immortality in Himself. He dwells in unapproachable light, showing His perfect holiness, glory, and majesty. No sinful human being has seen Him fully as He is or can approach Him in their own strength. This passage reminds believers that their faithfulness is not based on human strength, but on the living God, who rules over all things and will bring Christ’s appearing to pass at the right time. Therefore, all honor and everlasting power belong to Him.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NKJV)
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,
19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Paul then gives instruction concerning those who are rich in this present age. Wealth itself is not condemned, but the danger is pride and misplaced trust. Rich people must not become proud or think they are secure because of their possessions, because riches are uncertain and can quickly disappear. Instead, they must trust in the living God, who is the true Provider and gives us richly all things to enjoy. Paul teaches that those who have wealth should use it for good. They should be rich in good works, ready to give, and willing to share. In this way, they are not merely storing up earthly treasure, but laying a good spiritual foundation for the future. True security is not found in money, but in God and in laying hold of eternal life.

1 Timothy 6:20-21 (NKJV)
20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—
21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

Paul ends the letter with a personal and urgent appeal: “O Timothy!” Timothy had been entrusted with the truth of the gospel, and he must guard it carefully. This means he must protect sound doctrine, remain faithful to the teaching of Christ, and not allow false ideas to corrupt the church. Paul warns him to avoid profane and empty talk, as well as contradictions that are falsely called knowledge. Some people claimed to have higher knowledge, but their teaching actually led them away from the faith. True knowledge leads people closer to God, to Christ, and to godliness. False knowledge produces pride, confusion, arguments, and unbelief. Paul closes with the words, “Grace be with you,” reminding Timothy that he can only remain faithful by the grace and help of God.