1
Timothy 6
English
Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK)
6
Let all who are under a yoke as slaves[a] regard their own masters as worthy of
all honour, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 2
Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that
they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who
benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.
False
Teachers and True Contentment
Teach
and urge these things. 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not
agree with the sound[b] words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that
accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.
He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which
produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction
among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that
godliness is a means of gain. 6 Now there is great gain in godliness with
contentment, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and[c] we cannot take
anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we
will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a
snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and
destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is
through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced
themselves with many pangs.
Fight
the Good Fight of Faith
11
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of
the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about
which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I
charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ
Jesus, who in his testimony before[d] Pontius Pilate made the good confession,
14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing
of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is
the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who
alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever
seen or can see. To him be honour and eternal dominion. Amen.
17
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set
their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us
with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to
be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a
good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is
truly life.
20
O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and
contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge”, 21 for by professing it
some have swerved from the faith.
Grace
be with you.[e]
The
IVP New Testament Commentary Series
Opposing
False Teachers (6:2-5)
The
Christian leader must not forget the responsibility to protect the faith. Those
of Paul's readers who fell into this category, including Timothy, were to
discharge this duty by teaching and urging the true faith (v. 2). The command
that sets Timothy in this mode again (see also 3:14; 4:6, 11; 5:7, 21) also
reminds them that in this operation the Christian leader is not unarmed. Paul
has given specific teaching (these . . . things) for confrontation with the
false teachers.
Having
repeated the command, Paul issues a kind of "wanted poster." It is
the counterpart to the "job description" given in chapter 3. Notably,
each begins with the general if anyone (compare 5:4, 16; Tit 1:6). Here, verses
3-6 consist of one long sentence in the Greek, beginning with the
"criminal" and the "crime" and going on to give identifying
characteristics in a list of vices. By using the list (compare 1:9-10; 2 Tim
3:2-4; Tit 3:3) Paul meant to create a strong stereotype or caricature of the
false teacher that would communicate primarily two things: an authoritative
denunciation and a solemn warning. Readers, after seeing this
"poster," would not be likely to form or maintain casual attitudes
about the false teachers or their doctrine.
The
IVP New Testament Commentary Series
Timothy,
Fight the Good Fight (6:12-15)
The
servant of God must also fulfill the calling of ministry. The charge issued in
1:18 is repeated here. Paul has changed the metaphor, however, from ministry in
terms of a military struggle to ministry in terms of an athletic contest (see
also 2 Tim 4:7). Thus the need for perseverance, sustained effort and training
dominate in this charge (compare 1 Cor 9:24-27; 2 Tim 2:5). Like a skillful
coach, Paul supplies ample motivation for maintaining the struggle.
1.
Eternal reward (6:12). Especially for the minister, to "finish the
race" is no mere option. The command tone (take hold) reminds us of the
real element of human responsibility in the salvation process, as it also
implies the real possibility of success. Though the cost is great, the
Christian leader can arrive at the goal of personal salvation, eternal life.
But
while the athletic imagery emphasizes the human side, it is the prior action of
"calling" that establishes the believer's future success. In the
passive, the verb refers clearly to God's call to eternal life. Yet as we have
just seen, divine sovereignty does not preclude human responsibility. Timothy
had an obligation to participate in his salvation. We too must view faithful
Christian living and service, in whatever context God places us, as our
necessary responsibility to God.
2.
Past promises (6:12). The Greek sentence continues without a break, and
attention shifts to Timothy's past commitment to God. It may be (as the NIV
interprets it) that the phrase good confession in the presence of many
witnesses relates directly to God's calling (to eternal life), indicating the
time when realization of this occurred. In this case, the event in mind would
probably be Timothy's baptism. However, the phrase may be linked more directly
to the parallel commands to fight and to take hold, making the event grounds
for obedience to those ministerial commands. In this case, the allusion would
be to a commissioning ceremony of some sort. The two ceremonies would have been
similar in tone, each including a confession of faith, a charge and a vow of
commitment.
To
judge from the ministry context here and probable allusions to the event
elsewhere (1:18; 4:14), Paul may have had in mind Timothy's commissioning
(similar to the more modern ordination). Then his reasoning is that the two
commands of verse 12 are in keeping with the promises of God's selection of one
for ministry. The ceremony that bound the congregation to acknowledge the
authority of the new minister also bound the minister to faithful service.
Today
the binding force of one's word is often questioned, but before God that is not
so. The minister's pledge to serve must not be taken lightly. But it takes
discipline as well as forceful reminders from coworkers or from God's Spirit to
bring us back to first promises that bind. Yet what the servant must recall are
not only human commitments to God but also God's commitments to his servants.
3.
Present promises (6:13). This comes more clearly into view as Paul reminds
Timothy of his present situation. Christian service is not something God
initiates, like the christening of a ship, then leaves to run its own course.
It begins with God's choice and continues in his presence and fellowship. So
when Paul repeats the solemn charge, which begins in verse 13 and ends in verse
14, he emphasizes Timothy's continuing fellowship with God and Christ.
In
this fellowship, too, obligation and promise are combined. To be in the sight
of God (5:21; 2 Tim 4:1) is cause for reverent fear. The Hebrews were terrified
of God's presence, which, as Moses explained, was to keep them from sinning (Ex
20:20). But God's presence meant for them also his faithful care—guidance,
food, clothing (Deut 8:1-5). And the description of God as life-giver means the
same for Paul's readers. God's constant presence should spur the Christian on
to excellent service. Equally, this truth provides encouragement and strength,
for the ever-present God is the one who gives and sustains life.
At
the same time Timothy is reminded of his fellowship with Christ. He is our
ever-present Lord (compare Mt 28:20). This comforting promise of continual fellowship,
however, ought to compel us to the heights of faithfulness, for our Lord is
also our judge (2 Tim 4:8; Rev 3:15-16).
Christian
leaders in difficult situations have always found encouragement in Christ's
experience. In fact, God has called us to participate in the very ministry
Christ initiated. He made the good confession first, before Pontius Pilate.
Paul's allusion is difficult to ascertain. Probably the reference is to Jesus'
trial and to the supreme testimony he gave in his death. He authenticated his
calling and commitment to serve God before the representative of this world,
despite great danger and temptations to denial (see Jn 18:28-37). The one
called to serve God makes a confession and commitment to continue Christ's own
mission at any personal cost. Christ's commitment to his servants is continual
fellowship.
4.
Future promises (6:14). It is equally important for Timothy to concentrate on
the promise of Christ's return, for two reasons. First is the promise of
relief. The term Paul chose to describe the Second Coming here (the appearing)
pictures the event as a glorious intervention to bring help. In fact, Paul uses
the same term to refer to Christ's first advent (2 Tim 1:10; Tit 2:11; 3:4);
this shows how the present age is to be understood in relation to Christ's two
"appearances"—what began with Christ will end with Christ. When God's
appointed time arrives, relief will come to the minister. A Christian's earthly
duties will cease.
Second
is a note of urgency. The obligations connected with the call to service (the
command, vv. 11-12, to lead an exemplary Christian life) must be kept, the
course must be finished in all faithfulness (without spot or blame), for Christ
comes to judge (2 Tim 4:1, 8). In light of the certainty of this future event,
without spot or blame stresses the need for a life that expresses godliness
consistently and in all respects. The early Christians lived as if Christ's
return would occur during their lifetime. We for the most part do not, and we
are the weaker for it. This confident hope of consummation and evaluation can
sustain us when days are long, bodies grow weary and results seem few.
5.
Sovereign God (6:15-16). Last of all in the charge to Timothy, Paul calls to
mind the sovereign and majestic God. A clear vision of the true nature of God
is a strong motivation for holy living and service for all Christians. Paul
declares that God has ordered all events (v. 15), including the appearance of
Christ. But what a God! The Greek makes it clear that Paul has actually
inserted a doxology, which celebrates the majesty and mystery of God, to
describe the subject of the verb of execution (bring about) in verse 15. The
force of Paul's artistry is to close the charge to God's servant in adoration
and worship (compare 1:17).
The
God whom Christians serve is the blessed and only Ruler. This description comes
out of intertestamental Judaism. God's oneness and sovereignty (Ruler means
"sovereign"), which might suggest transcendence and
"otherness," are balanced by the blessing he intimately bestows on
his people. The phrases King of kings and Lord of lords ascribe to God absolute
sovereignty. This powerful combination appears in Revelation 17:14 and 19:16 in
reference to Christ.
Majesty
gives way to mystery in verse 16 as the doxology next declares God to be
"the only one having immortality" (1:17). The meaning is that God is
the source of eternal life, that life which is proper to him alone, which he
has chosen to bestow on others. His dwelling place is unapproachable light (Ex
24:15-17; 34:29-35; 1 Jn 1:5-7), which speaks symbolically of his absolute
holiness. The mystery becomes complete in the reference to his
"invisibility" (1:17). The actual phrase, whom no one has seen or can
see, recalls God's response to Moses, who in preparation for leading God's
people requested to see God: "no one may see me and live" (Ex 33:20).
Still, enough was shown to Moses to carry him through in confidence.
Finally,
the doxology closes in praise, ascribing honor and might forever to the
sovereign God (Rev 5:13). In the end, God's servants must set their
concentration upon the invincible God. Turning the thought to praise, Paul
reminds his readers that Christian life and ministry together form the
appropriate response to the blessing of God.
IVP
New Testament Commentaries are made available by the generosity of InterVarsity
Press.
The
Bible Panorama
1
Timothy 6
V
1–2: SLAVES The word ‘bond servants’ means ‘slaves’. They are told to honour
their masters so that God will be glorified. They must not take unfair
advantage of Christian masters who bestow great benefits coming from their
Christian character. Timothy is to insist on this. (Some slaves became more
privileged and better supported than many free people.)
V 3–5: SEPARATION Timothy is to separate
himself from those who have selfish, corrupt and ungodly attitudes and
lifestyles which cause them to seek gain rather than godliness.
V 6–10: STRAYING Carrying on with the thought
of gain, Paul tells Timothy that some have strayed from the faith, and injured
themselves, because of a love of money. Godliness brings its own contentment.
Paul advocates a simple lifestyle with gratitude for needs being met, and a
desire to glorify God.
V 11–16: SPOTLESS Timothy, as a man of God, is
to flee all spiritually harmful influences and seek the qualities and
characteristics which are consistent with the ‘good fight of faith’. He is to
seek to be kept spotless and blameless in the view of Christ’s appearing. He is
to remember the coming appearing, the holiness and the greatness of his ‘King
of kings and Lord of lords’.
V
17–19: SHARING Timothy is to tell the rich Christians, for whom all their
riches have come from God, that they should be willing to share with others and
invest in eternal life.
V 20–21: STEWARD That which has been committed
to the stewardship trust of Timothy is to be protected from any teaching that
would pollute it. Some have strayed through those polluted teachings and Paul
prays for God’s grace for his protégé.
