Note: Words are shown in their original Greek order, which differs from English translations. This reflects the emphasis and structure of Scripture as originally written. Click any word to see its full lexicon entry.
1All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited.
2Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.
4he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,
9Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
10For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
13I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate:
16He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
17Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.
First Timothy 6 brings Paul's pastoral letter to a powerful conclusion by addressing two critical dangers that threaten the spiritual health of Timothy and the church: false teaching motivated by greed, and the love of money itself. The chapter opens with practical instruction on Christian servants and masters, then shifts to expose false teachers whose pride and love of gain corrupt doctrine. Finally, Paul calls Timothy to personal holiness while redirecting the wealthy toward generosity and eternal perspective, all within the framework of Christ's future return and the majesty of God.
Paul begins with instruction for servants under the yoke—those in bondage or servitude. Christian slaves are called to honor their masters so that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed (v. 1). This reflects the radical New Testament principle that a Christian's workplace conduct is a testimony to the gospel. When believers serve faithfully, unbelievers see Christ's character reflected.
Verses 2 extends this: when masters are also believers, servants should not take advantage of the kinship; rather, they should serve because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit—recognizing that all Christians share in Christ's redemption.
Verses 3–5 pivot sharply to expose false teachers. Those who teach contrary to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ are characterized as proud, ignorant, and obsessed with questions and strifes of words. This describes theological quarreling divorced from spiritual life. The result is envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings—the bitter fruit of pride. Verse 5 identifies the root motive: these teachers suppose that gain is godliness, using religion for personal profit. Paul commands Timothy to withdraw from such people.
Application: We honor God through faithful work and wholesome doctrine. Beware of teachers motivated by money or status rather than truth and the transformation of souls.
Here Paul offers the antidote to false teaching rooted in greed: godliness with contentment is great gain (v. 6). True spiritual wealth is not measured in possessions but in a godly character satisfied with what God provides. Verses 7–8 anchor this in reality: we enter and leave this world with nothing, so having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Verses 9–10 present the danger starkly: those determined to become rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. The famous declaration follows: the love of money is the root of all evil. Note that Paul condemns not money itself but the love of it—the craving that motivates sin. Some who have coveted money have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. The pursuit of wealth at any cost fractures souls and brings judgment.
Application: Pursue contentment and generosity, not accumulation. Money is a tool for serving God and others, not the goal of life.
Paul directly addresses Timothy, O man of God (v. 11), calling him to flee these things—the snares of greed and false teaching—and instead to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Verse 12 uses military language: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, recalling Timothy's public profession of faith before witnesses.
Verses 13–14 solemnize this charge: Paul invokes the living God and Christ Jesus (who witnessed before Pontius Pilate) as witnesses, commanding Timothy to keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Verses 15–16 culminate in a doxology celebrating Christ as the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, dwelling in unapproachable light, worthy alone of eternal honor and power.
Application: Live faithfully, remembering Christ's return and His absolute supremacy. Eternity, not earthly gain, is the true measure of success.
Paul addresses the rich directly (v. 17): they must not be highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God. Instead, they should do good, be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate (v. 18), laying up a good foundation against the time to come through generosity (v. 19).
The letter closes (vv. 20–21) with Timothy charged to guard what is committed to him
Study Notes — 1 Timothy 6
5 sectionsFirst Timothy 6 brings Paul's pastoral letter to a powerful conclusion by addressing two critical dangers that threaten the spiritual health of Timothy and the church: false teaching motivated by greed, and the love of money itself. The chapter opens with practical instruction on Christian servants and masters, then shifts to expose false teachers whose pride and love of gain corrupt doctrine. Finally, Paul calls Timothy to personal holiness while redirecting the wealthy toward generosity and eternal perspective, all within the framework of Christ's future return and the majesty of God.
Paul begins with instruction for servants under the yoke—those in bondage or servitude. Christian slaves are called to honor their masters so that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed (v. 1). This reflects the radical New Testament principle that a Christian's workplace conduct is a testimony to the gospel. When believers serve faithfully, unbelievers see Christ's character reflected.
Verses 2 extends this: when masters are also believers, servants should not take advantage of the kinship; rather, they should serve because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit—recognizing that all Christians share in Christ's redemption.
Verses 3–5 pivot sharply to expose false teachers. Those who teach contrary to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ are characterized as proud, ignorant, and obsessed with questions and strifes of words. This describes theological quarreling divorced from spiritual life. The result is envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings—the bitter fruit of pride. Verse 5 identifies the root motive: these teachers suppose that gain is godliness, using religion for personal profit. Paul commands Timothy to withdraw from such people.
Application: We honor God through faithful work and wholesome doctrine. Beware of teachers motivated by money or status rather than truth and the transformation of souls.
Here Paul offers the antidote to false teaching rooted in greed: godliness with contentment is great gain (v. 6). True spiritual wealth is not measured in possessions but in a godly character satisfied with what God provides. Verses 7–8 anchor this in reality: we enter and leave this world with nothing, so having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Verses 9–10 present the danger starkly: those determined to become rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. The famous declaration follows: the love of money is the root of all evil. Note that Paul condemns not money itself but the love of it—the craving that motivates sin. Some who have coveted money have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. The pursuit of wealth at any cost fractures souls and brings judgment.
Application: Pursue contentment and generosity, not accumulation. Money is a tool for serving God and others, not the goal of life.
Paul directly addresses Timothy, O man of God (v. 11), calling him to flee these things—the snares of greed and false teaching—and instead to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Verse 12 uses military language: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, recalling Timothy's public profession of faith before witnesses.
Verses 13–14 solemnize this charge: Paul invokes the living God and Christ Jesus (who witnessed before Pontius Pilate) as witnesses, commanding Timothy to keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Verses 15–16 culminate in a doxology celebrating Christ as the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, dwelling in unapproachable light, worthy alone of eternal honor and power.
Application: Live faithfully, remembering Christ's return and His absolute supremacy. Eternity, not earthly gain, is the true measure of success.
Paul addresses the rich directly (v. 17): they must not be highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God. Instead, they should do good, be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate (v. 18), laying up a good foundation against the time to come through generosity (v. 19).
The letter closes (vv. 20–21) with Timothy charged to guard what is committed to him