1Timothy, chapter 6, comments

 

1Timothy 6:1 ¶  Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 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. 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.

 

Under the yoke indicates slavery not mere hired servanthood. Slavery was and is a commonplace condition throughout history and in all regions of the earth. It has been credibly noted that there are more slaves in the world today than there have ever been in history. A slave has little or no bodily or economic autonomy and is under the control of a master who owns them. In Ancient Rome a slave might work as a doctor or as a common farm laborer and were often made that way by being prisoners of war, criminals, or even, in some cases, selling themselves into slavery to receive some financial stability and safety. However, it was unlikely that the color of your skin in Ancient Rome determined your slave status or called your freedom into question as it was in America before the Civil War although slaves in America, it has been determined by credible historians, were typically better fed and clothed than European or Northern American laborers of the time who thought of themselves as free. The most impartial source for this I’ve found is Without Consent or Contract: The Rise and Fall of American Slavery by economic historian, the late Robert William Fogel.

 

I have read that Samore Toure, called by some historians “The Napoleon of Africa,” sold himself into slavery at the age of 12 to an Arab merchant to get an education and to be able to eat regularly.

 

I would also remind you that some people in American History regarded working for others in any capacity for an hourly wage to be “wage-slavery”. This is not to glorify slavery. It is a deplorable condition and racial slavery is a crime against humanity. But slavery simply is, then and now.

 

The slave or servant or employee, whichever you would like this to show as an example, was to represent God to their master. They were especially not to be contemptuous of their masters who were brothers or sisters in the faith. Paul also wrote this;

 

Colossians 3:22  Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

 

He admonished masters as well, though.

 

Colossians 4:1 ¶  Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

 

And even established the doctrine that the Christian servant of the Christian master was also his brother in Christ and both were brothers and sons in Christ to Paul.

 

Philemon 1 ¶  Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2  And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: 3  Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4  I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 5  Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 6  That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7  For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

 

    8 ¶  Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, 9  Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10  I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 11  Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 12  Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: 13  Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14  But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. 15  For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16  Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 17  If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18  If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 19  I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. 20  Yea, brother, let me

have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. 21  Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 22  But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. 23  There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; 24  Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. 25  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

«Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.»

 

Christianity was not trying to overthrow the established political order, was not a secular revolution in that regard, but sought something more deeper spiritually and more permanent in eternity when all human institutions had been erased by Christ. Paul rejected those who would preach rebellion just for the sake of it. This has prompted many today to say that Christianity justified slavery which is nonsense. God does not create civilization or culture. He modifies what man has created to bring it closer to His perfect will. Slavery is a permanent social and economic condition of mankind and will probably never be eradicated completely until Christ returns. In fact, it is growing in numbers. The Christian servant was to use their position to lead other servants and their masters to the Lord, not seek to be relieved of their own burden. The Christian master was to treat the Christian servant as a brother in Christ.

 

1Corinthians 7:20  Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 21  Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22  For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. 23  Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

 

This is difficult for us today to accept living in a country where slavery by name is banned by law but where slavery in practice still goes on while we pretend an air of superiority over cultures that have no such restrictions.

 

Paul has laid out quite a few doctrines here in this letter for the Christian’s sake, particularly for someone leading a church body. He goes on to condemn those who would go against the doctrines he has set forth. Paul suggests that the people who would deny the doctrines he has laid out would be motivated by money, greed, the love of money. Peter warns about those who had that as their motivation.

 

2Peter 2:1 ¶  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

 

    3 ¶  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

 

America has had its share of preachers who used the church they led as a moneymaking enterprise. One famous old-time preacher said that if something didn’t make sense you could be sure there was a buck in it.

 

 

 

1Timothy 6:6 ¶  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 raiment let us be therewith content. 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. 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. 11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 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.

 

Godliness with contentment is indeed a great return on your investment in Christ if I can make a parallel with the financial world. We start with no physical possessions and end up the same way. “You can’t take it with you,” is a common saying and you literally can’t. We should be happy if we have enough, enough to eat and clothes on our back.

 

Matthew 6:25 ¶  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

 

Certainly, Jesus was speaking to His disciples, many of whom would follow Him to a cross. But the principle of not having anxiety and worry over our needs is very important for the Christian today. We need to learn to be content with what we have and trust God for what we need while we work as hard as necessary for it.

 

Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

But it is a common American state of mind to desire to be wealthy, to covet riches. In fact, being ambitious is lauded in our culture as being a sign of character if it is accompanied by some reasonable form of honesty although the outlaw who gains fame and fortune is secretly and openly honored in  our hearts.

 

But God told His people.

 

Proverbs 23:4  Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

 

While prudent behavior, hard work, and minding your own business both literally and figuratively is recommended in God’s word we must guard against the love of money, greed.

 

Luke 16:13  No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon [personification of money and the economic system as a god of sorts].

 

Any dreams of wealth and power a man or woman has is not of God. We literally can drown ourselves and our families, particularly our children, in destruction and perdition with the foolish and hurtful lusts created by a hunger for more than we need and not depending on God for our sustenance.

 

The love of money isn’t the cause here of every evil. Your desire to gossip or cheat on your spouse probably has nothing to do with your sense of greed. But the use of all in the Bible can be without distinction or without exception and here the first meaning seems to be apparent. There is no sin that cannot be prompted and promoted by an ungodly love of acquiring money. It can be the root source of every sin you can imagine. As Dr. Ruckman once said, “if something doesn’t make sense, there’s a buck in it.”

 

Many wealthy people have family problems you’ve never imagined and I’ve known a few whose children were bored, angry, self-centered, incompetent, and led pointless, self-absorbed lives. Money was always a key factor, too much of it, no respect for it ultimately, and letting it be a burden to happiness rather than an instrument of in several situations I grew up around. And it didn’t have to be great wealth either. Just a good upper middle class striving could produce virtually all the pain we used to see on TV shows like ‘Dallas’ and ‘Dynasty’ or modern shows that aren’t even mentionable in a Christian venue.

 

Paul warns Timothy not just to turn from but to flee these things with incredibly great advice for how we as Christians should live, something I’ve failed miserably at in my life. The following should be up somewhere on the walls of your house or on your computer to remind you every day of what is best, what God wants from you and for you.

 

11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 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.

 

1Timothy 6:13 ¶  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. 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 todistribute, 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. 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. «The first letter to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.»

 

Paul gives Timothy his orders before God who created all living things, made alive being what quickeneth means and before Jesus Christ whose testimony in front of the Roman governor, Pilate, was pure and true. Read the descriptions, especially in the Gospel of John, of Christ’s response to Pilate.

 

Luke 23:3  And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.

 

John 19:11  Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

 

See one of Paul’s goals here as repeated elsewhere regarding the church presenting it spotless to Christ at His return.

 

2Corinthians 11:2  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

 

 Paul then describes Christ’s authority and power and His revealing to all at the end of human history.

 

Matthew 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

 

Revelation 21:6  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

 

Finally, Paul wants Timothy to warn those in his care who have money to not be trusting in their riches but only in God understanding everything comes from Him. Laying up their treasures in Heaven, not on Earth.

 

Matthew 6:20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

 

He calls on them to good works. You can read Romans, chapter 12 to see Paul’s admonitions to the Christians at Rome.

 

Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

To lay hold on eternal life can mean to realize it, to secure the understanding of it like what he says in Philippians.

 

Philippians 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Everyone is going to be resurrected. He’s not talking about ATTAINING something that everyone is going to attain. He didn’t say EARN either. He wants to ATTAIN UNTO, to arrive at something, like wisdom. Go further. Paul doesn’t understand why he was saved. He doesn’t understand but he hopes to understand.

 

Psalm 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

 

Paul then recaps some of his earlier warnings to Timothy making mention of false science, which in his day would have referred to the many Gnostic cults that with ridiculous arguments and endless genealogies would oppose Christ much like militant atheists today spouting atheistic determinism under the guise of the noble calling of science. I refer you to the renowned geneticist who insists that since there are too many mutations that would have to occur between apes and men that he believes that mankind resulted from random matings between pigs and chimps. This is allowed and not mocked because it is all in the name of atheistic science. (see macroevolution.net). And sadly, this is even apparent among those of the community of faith. Finally, the letter finishes with the postscript that Paul wrote this letter in Laodicea.

 

Colossians 4:16  And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

 

So, the first letter to Timothy ends.