1 Timothy 6
Theme: Guard the faith
6) By staying content (6:3-21)
A) Reasons: 1) Love of money contradicts sound doctrine (3), 2)
generates constant friction (4-5), 3) offers no lasting reward (7), 4)
plunges men into ruin and destruction (9), and 5) causes men to wander
from the faith (10). B) Ways: 1) By fleeing greed (11a), 2) pursuing
virtue (11), 3) fixing your hope on God (12-19), 4) sharing with
others (18), and 5) guarding the faith (20-21) .
A) Reasons to stay content (1-10).
1) Because greed contradicts sound doctrine (3-4a). Those who
"suppose" that godliness is a means to financial gain, are said to
"advocate a different doctrine", and not to "agree with sound words,
those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to
godliness" (3 NAS). Such men are "conceited" (puffed up or cloudy,
like smoke, in their thinking), and understand "nothing" (4a). Sound
doctrine, or the "faith", warns against greed as a motive for godly
living. Greed contradicts sound doctrine, and therefore we should stay
content.
2) Because greed generates constant friction (4-5). Such doctrine
promotes "controversial questions", "disputes about words", "envy,
strife, abusive language, evil suspicions", and "constant friction"
(4-5a). Of greed men, James says, "What is the source of quarrels and
conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war
in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. And
you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel" (4:1-2
NAS). Greed generates constant friction "between men of depraved mind
and deprived of the truth" (1 Tim. 6:5 NAS).
3) Because greed offers no lasting reward (6-8). Godliness with
contentment (being satisfied with God...) is said to be a means of
"great gain. Chapter 4 showed that godliness holds promise not only
for this life, but also for that which is to come. In the present
life, godliness promotes the fruit of love, a pure heart, a good
conscience, a sincere faith (1:5), and great confidence in Christ
(3:13). In the life which is to come, believers will inherit a
glorified body (Romans 8), and eternal life in the presence of God
(Rev. 21-22). By contrast, greed for earthly possessions offers no
lasting reward. "We have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot
take anything out of it either". Believers should be content with
"food and clothing" (1 Tim. 6:8; cf. Hebrews), because greed and
material things offer no lasting reward.
4) Because greed plunges men into ruin (9). For one thing, "Those
who want to get rich fall into temptation" (9a NAS). This word
"fall", is in the present tense, and seems to imply a continual
entering into and failing of tests of faith. Not only does the person
fall into a compromise of their faith, but also, "a snare", or trap,
perhaps such as is thrown on a bird unexpectedly. Greed makes one
fall into "many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin
and destruction" (9 NAS).
5) Because greed causes men to wander from the faith (10). "For the
love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for
it have wandered away fro the faith, and pierced themselves with many
a pang" (10 NAS).
B) Ways: 1) By fleeing greed (11a), 2) pursuing virtue (11), 3) fixing
your hope on God (12-19), 4) sharing with others (18), and guarding
the faith (20-21).
1) Flee these things (11a)
In contrast to those who suppose that godliness is a means of
financial gain, Timothy should "fight the good fight of faith" (12
NAS). This includes several instructions. First, is to "flee from
these things" (11). Some temptations are to be resisted. Others fled
from. The temptation to use godliness for financial gain is one the
believer should flee altogether.
2) Pursue virtue (11b)
Rather, the "man of God should pursue inner virtue (11b). This
includes "righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and
gentleness. These virtues are similar to the fruit of the indwelling
(Eph. 1:13) Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22ff., and describe the very
nature of Christ Himself. Only the presence and virtue of God can
make the believer content.
3) Fix your hope on God (12-17)
Fighting the good fight of faith also includes the instruction to
"take hold of the eternal life to which you were called (12) Eternal
life cannot be merited (John 3:16; Eph. 2:8-10), but is the believer's
present possession (John 5:24; Eph. 1:3ff.; 1 John 5:13) and eternal
inheritance (Eph. 1:11,14,18; Col. 3:24; Heb. 9:15; Rev. 21-22)
through faith in Christ. To this faith, the believer has made
confession (probably by his public baptism which identifies him with
the death and resurrection of Christ [cf. Romans 6:1-11]) (12b), as
has Christ (13). Only the appearing of "our Lord Jesus Christ" ("He
who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of
lords; who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable
light; whom no man has seen or can see..." [15-16 NAS]), however, will
end the need for believers to fight the good fight. Until then, they
are solemnly charged to "keep the commandment [probably the one to
fight the good fight of faith] without stain or reproach" (14 NAS).
Hope of eternal life makes one content, and motivates godly living.
God, however, does not condemn wealth; in fact, it is He "who richly
supplies us with all things to enjoy (17c; cf. Job 1:1-3; Ecc.
5:18-19). But believers (especially those who "are rich in this
present world" [17a]) should not "be conceited" ("proud" or "high
minded" [Job 31:24-28; Pr. 11:28; Jer. 9:23-24]) because of their
wealth, or trust in the uncertainty of riches [see Prov. 23:5; 27:24;
Luke 12:15-21](17b). Rather, they should fix their hope on God. The
only true and lasting inheritance is the one which comes through faith
in Christ and offers eternal life, "that which is life indeed" (19
NAS).
4) Share with others (18)
Those who have extra should "do good, "be rich in good works", and be
"generous and ready to share" (18). The NT standard for giving was
almost unparalleled. People were selling their possessions and
property to meet the needs of other christians, so there would be
equality among the believers (Acts 4). Acts 4:32 says they had "all
things in common", and no one claimed that anything was "their"
property. When is the last time the church has ever seen such a
spirit of sharing?
5) Guard the faith (20-21)
Again, Timothy is called on to "guard what has been entrusted to you"
(the body of Christian faith, as recorded in "all Scripture" [cf. 2
Tim. 3:16-17]). One main opposition to the "faith" is "worldly and
empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called
"knowledge" (20b NAS). Paying attention to false doctrine is what
causes people to depart from the faith in the first place (21; cf.
4:1b). Several other verses warn Timothy to avoid such teachings all
together (1 Tim. 6:20; 2 Tim. 2:15-17,20). The very act of listening
or paying attention to false doctrine, is injurious to faith in God's
Word and promotes an ungodly lifestyle. Instead, the study of truth
is what refutes error, nourishes our faith, and promotes godly living
(4:6-13).
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Christ died for our sins, and God raised Him from the dead.
Rely on this finished work alone for salvation (1 Cor. 15:1-3;
Eph. 2:8-10). www.pulpitfire.org
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Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ,
to them that have obtained like precious faith with us
through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus
Christ: 2 Peter 1:1
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