A victor’s olive wreath resting on the stone starting sill of an empty stadium track at dawn, the long track running away into morning haze.

The Book of

1 Timothy 6

Paul ends his letter with true riches: godliness, contentment, and a fight worth everything.

21 verses≈ 4 min2 peopleBSB

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In this chapter

Where we are

1Sound teachingFalse teachers and the grace of Christ
2–3God's householdPrayer, worship and its leaders
4A good servantTrain yourself for godliness
5–6:2The church familyWidows, elders and slavesChapter 6
6:3–21True richesContentment and the good fight

Serving with Honor

All 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. Those 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.

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so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited

1 Timothy 6:1

Reject False Doctrines

If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and disputes about words, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.

Godliness with Contentment

Paul

For 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.

1 Timothy 6:10

Question

Quick question

Paul has just said that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” Then he warns about what can pull a heart away.

What does Paul say is “the root of all kinds of evil”?

Fight the Good Fight

But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

1 Timothy 6:11

An empty Roman governor’s curule chair in a dim marble hall, a shaft of early morning light across the floor.

I 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:

In this chapter

Keep this commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ,

The sun rising in blinding brightness over a ridge of mountains, the valley below still in deep shadow.

which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time. He 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.

0:19

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Reflect

Flee, pursue, fight

Paul tells Timothy to “flee from these things,” to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.” Then: “Fight the good fight of the faith.” Which of those six would you most like God to grow in you this year? What is one thing you need to flee from to make room for it?

A Charge to the Rich

Instruct 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.

1 Timothy 6:17

Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Truly rich

Whiteboard

Paul doesn’t tell the rich to feel ashamed. He tells them where to put their hope. Wealth can vanish, but God “richly provides all things for us to enjoy.” Hope in Him sets the hands free to give, and a generous life lays up “a firm foundation for the future”: a life that is truly life.

Guard the Faith

From PaulTo Timothy, my true child in the faith

O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,” which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith. Grace be with you all.

1 Timothy 6:20–21

Pray

To Him be honor

Praise the “King of kings and Lord of lords,” who “dwells in unapproachable light,” and yet made Himself known in Christ Jesus. Thank Him that He “richly provides all things for us to enjoy.” Ask Him for a content heart, a generous hand, and strength to guard the faith He has entrusted to you. “To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.”

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1 Timothy 6

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A verse to carry with you

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:12

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