1 Timothy 6:1-8

We left off at 1 Tim 6. We find ourselves today wrapping up Paul's instruction to Timothy on various people groups in the church. Older and younger men and women, Widows, Elders, and today, the last group slaves and masters. Beginning in the 3rd verse of Chapter 6, Paul will wind down his letter to Timothy with final charges. Let's Pray and then we will read 1 Tim 6:1-8 1 Tim 6:1 "Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed." 1. So, we come to this interesting word bondservant- doulos in Greek...slave in English. These were the lowest class of society, and the doulos was the lowest class of slave. 2. In the Roman world, as many as 1 in 3 in Rome or 1 in 5 across the empire were slaves. In the first century, the total population of the Roman Empire was about 60 million people, so the slave population would have been somewhere around 13 million slaves throughout the Empire. 3. A freed criminal had more rights. A slave had no personal freedom, no legal status, no property rights, no right to marry or start a family...they were the personal property of their master. 4. Slavery was the norm in Roman society...and still is the norm in many parts of the world...Africa, India, China, and many other places. There are an estimated 40 million slaves, in various forms, in the world today. 5. In Biblical times, slavery came in many forms, but centered on economics... 6. Some people voluntarily sold themselves into slavery because of debt, because there was not a system of bankruptcy. 7. Slaves were a status symbol...the more slaves and the more exotic slaves one owned, the higher their status. 8. Some people voluntarily chose the life of a slave because they found a good master who was kind and cared for them. Or, the slave earned freedom, but went voluntarily back into slavery because while they were a slave, they had a child with another slave, and the rest of the family was not freed. 9. Some slaves were forced into labor against their own volition. This form of slavery was condemned by the bible. The bible prohibited being a "man-stealer." (Ex 21:16 "He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death."). 10. All these forms of slavery are awful, but we are not free of atrocities in our society either...some of the wealthiest people in our society have done terrible injustices to other people to achieve their status, so our society is guilty as well...we live in a very violent world as evidenced by death in war, abortions, and so forth. It's easy to point our finger at other societies or eras. People often point their finger at God's word as well. 11. The Bible has been criticized for not openly condemning slavery. 12. From the first century to when Jesus returns, Christianity has never been about revolution or social reform, it's about redemption from the worst slave masters- being a slave to sin. Jesus did not come for free the oppressed from Roman rule, He came to free people from sin and spiritual death...which has ramifications that stretch into eternity. 13. But, in regard to slavery, the Bible is vocal about the treatment of slaves, and honoring masters. Let's look at this verse in Timothy. 14. Paul begins this verse addressing "all slaves"... "Let as many bondservants (or slaves) as are under the yoke" 15. So, Paul is addressing all slaves, because all slaves are under the yoke. The yoke is a farming tool... a bar or wooden crosspiece fastened over the neck of two animals and attached to a plow or cart. The yoke would cause them to share in the pulling. 16. In the Bible, especially in this context, the yoke symbolized a burden, or being oppressed...typically a hard and unfavorable condition. 17. Solomon's son, Rehoboam foolishly rejected the advice of his elders and said, "...whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!' " 1 Ki 12:11 18. In contrast, Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matt 11:28-30 19. In the context of a slave, they were yoked. They were under a burden, and like the ox in the field, they had a master driving them. 20. In this verse, Paul is addressing slaves of unbelieving Masters, as seen by these slaves being "under the yoke", as compared to believing Masters in the next verse. 21. Regardless of being under the yoke and laboring for unbelieving masters, these slaves in verse 1 are to "...count their own masters worthy of all honor..." 22. Despite their unfavorable circumstance, the slave (and this assumes the slave is a Christian otherwise they would neither regard Paul's counsel nor care about blaspheming the name of God), these slaves were to respect or honor their masters. 23. This is not respect or honor for who the person is personally, but an honor due to the position or authority as the master. 24. Kind of like in the military how you "salute the rank, not the person." 25. You get a sense of this in 1 Pet 2:18 "Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable." (harsh, cruel). 26. And, the reason is "...so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed." 27. The Christian slave when they respected their master, in their words, their work, their attitude, they protected God's name and teaching from being spoken of reproachfully or being shamed. The Bible is clear that it is important that God's name is to not be blasphemed: 28. The 3rd Commandment is "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." Exo 20:7 29. In Romans, Paul chastised hypocritical Jews for this same offense, "You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," as it is written." Rom 2: 23-24 30. And, the prophet Nathan confronted king David, for his sin with Bathsheba, and also referenced this offense ... "... by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme..." 2 Sam 12:18 31. And, there is nothing new under the sun. Today, unbelievers blaspheme God's name when a Christian sins, is guilty of hypocrisy, or is a poor laborer. 32. And, the Christian who is a good laborer may serve as a witness. Faithfully serving, especially under harsh circumstances, serves as a testimony. A good testimony serves to start a conversation, a conversation leads to sharing the gospel, and a soul is saved. 33. For this verse in general, the modern application is for us to be good workers as employees. This is not a perfect fit, for we have rights, we are not slaves, we can leave our employment. So, it's not perfect, but it is the closest we have in our country. 34. We are to work unto the Lord, to honor God, and so His name is not blasphemed. 35. Col 3:22-24 gives us a good sense of this idea: "Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." Col 3:22-24 continue to verse 2 1 Tim 6:2 "And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things." 1. "And those who have believing masters..." Paul now addresses slaves of believing masters. The idea of a slave and master being Christian brothers or sisters...equal in the Lord...though completely unequal in authority as appointed by man...this was counter-cultural and backwards thinking in the Roman culture. 2. Jesus often made statements that challenged thoughts and perceptions of the time as well. 3. "...whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Mt 20:26-28. 4. Matt 23: 11-12 "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 5. So, it was not unusual for Jesus and Christians to have a standard higher than the norms of society. "Love your enemy," "Going the extra mile," being a servant-leader...these traits of the Christian were not the norm of society, but Christians were exhorted to eternal standards, not simply the standards of the world. So, Christian slaves were also held to higher standards, despite their lot in life. 6. "...let them not despise them because they are brethren..." In the church at Ephesus it is assumed that there were Christian brothers and sisters who also had a master/servant relationship. 7. God is no respecter of persons, He is not partial, all are equal in the site of God, but before man there was still social order, and God is not a God of chaos. Order and authority was to be upheld. 8. So, Paul is addressing a problem- deep seated resentments between believers because they are slaves to another Christian and they are in the same church. There was a heart issue problem in the church. The word "despise" is a present imperative...Paul is commanding the servants to "stop despising" their masters who were also Christians. 9. Despise means to "think little or nothing of." This happens all the time in the modern workplace. You can have 2 Christians working together, someone gets funny because of money, or a disagreement in direction or decisions, or promotions occurs. And, these Christians act worse than heathens. 10. Paul is addressing this bad situation in the Ephesian church. 11. Paul says, "...serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved." 12. The heart issue of despising, must have also effected the servants work, because Paul also commands "serve them." This could be rendered "serve them all the more." 13. Essentially, Paul is telling the servant, to continue to work heartily even though they have this most unusual relationship as master/servant and Christian brethren. 14. The fact that the master is a believer should motivate the slave to be more devoted to their work because they served a fellow believer. 15. The servant was to serve because "those who are benefited are believers and beloved." 16. "Those who are benefited" seems to focus more on the master, but the servants also were cared for (housing, food, and hopeful other rights with a good master). 17. When you are a good worker, the employer benefits, and hopefully, you will benefit as well in promotion, privileges, etc. 18. 1 Tim 6 is, I believe, the only time in the NT where only the servant is addressed in how they work, but the master is not addressed in treatment of the servant. Typically, NT writers will also address the master. 19. The epistle "Philemon" is a great example of a Christian master and Paul's appeal for him to receive with mercy, Onesimus, his runaway slave, who is also a Christian brother. 20. Col 4:1 "Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven." 21. Paul ends verse 2, commanding Timothy "Teach and exhort these things." 22. Paul gave similar charge to Timothy in 1 Tim 4:11, and 5:7. Timothy was to teach throughout the churches in Ephesus this message about servants and masters, and to encourage the brethren to have the right heart attitudes and work attitudes toward one another. 23. Teach and exhort these things seems to be looking back at what Paul just taught, but also could be looking forward to what Paul is about to teach. Scholars are divided here, and we can't just ask Paul what he exactly meant. Keep in mind, Paul wrote on a scroll...this was a letter, there were no chapters and verses...these divisions were not added until the mid 1500's. So, in your Bible, you see "Teach and exhort" as part of verse 2, but in the original letter, there was no verse 2...it was just a letter. continue to verse 3, where Paul begins to wrap up this Epistle. Beginning in verse 3, Paul is winding down this letter. We know this, not just because we are at the end of the letter, but also because of the parallel format between the opening and closing of this letter. The topics vary, but the overall symmetry is evident. Chapter 1 to Chapter 6 / Opening & Closing Compared: * Paul Charges Timothy * 1:3 Charge to stay at Ephesus * 6:2b Charge to teach and uphold the faith * Paul addresses the issue of false teachers and gives a commendation * 1:4-7 Issue (false teachers) and commendation of love * 6:3-6 Issue (false teachers) and commendation of godliness * Paul shares about what is proper * 1:8-10 Proper use of the OT (law) * 6:7-10 Proper regard for money (see also vv. 17-19) * Paul sets his mind on the eternal. * 1:11-16 Testimony: Paul was saved by Christ, not law * 6:11-15a Appeal: Timothy should lay hold of eternal life in Christ * Paul gives a Doxology * 1:17 Doxology * 6:15b-16 Doxology * Paul provides and Application * 1:18-20 Application: charge to Timothy to "wage the good warfare", and warns against those who have rejected the faith. * 6:17-19 Application: charge to Timothy to address the wealthy that they trust in God and the eternal, not in uncertain riches and the temporal. 1 Tim 6: 3-5 "If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself." 1. It is evident that Paul is addressing false teachers by the words "If anyone teaches otherwise..." and the remaining content of verse 3...speaking about consenting to the words of Jesus, and to doctrine that promotes a godly life. 2. In the first chapter of Timothy, Paul instructed Timothy to address the Ephesians that they "teach no other doctrine" and even named Hymaneaus and Alexander who were excommunicated from the church for blasphemy. 3. "...teaches otherwise..." refers to a teaching diametrically opposed to what is right. This is what false teachers and cults do. They take the plain truths of the word of God and add to it, delete it, deny it, explain it away, or twist it for their own gain. 4. Here are a few Red flags of false teachings: 5. Any teaching denying Christ's deity and equality with God. 6. Salvation is faith plus _____. Typically some sort of works based theology. This is wrong. 7. Eph 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." 8. Straying from the word of God, to teach popular topics centered on you, your personal gain, your finances, your health, but very little about God. 9. Not teaching the full counsel of God...cheap grace...the truth of the word of God is watered down and the full Gospel message is not preached. 10. False teachers do not "consent to wholesome words"...wholesome means sound or healthy...in Greek it is the word hugiainō where we get our English word "hygiene." The teaching of the false teacher is spiritually unhygienic. It will not prosper you, it will degrade your spiritual health. These false teachers do not "consent to" or "adhere to" the sound teaching of the Word of God. 11. These "wholesome words" are described in verse 3 as the "words of our Lord Jesus Christ"...all His words...all His teachings...think about all the words in Red in the Gospels, and add to it the rest of the Bible, for the whole Bible is God-breathed. Wholesome words are also "...the doctrine which accords with godliness" ...doctrine is teaching...Teachings that "promotes a godly life" or "conform us to godliness" are wholesome words. 12. If a teaching is drawing you toward God, causing you to glorify God, is transforming and renewing your mind to be more like the mind of Christ, and not of this world...it's sound teaching. False teachers were teaching just the opposite, and the fruit of their teaching was rotten. 13. And look how Paul describes the personal character, or lack thereof, of these false teachers, starting in verse 4. He is...: 14. "...proud..."- by def. "to raise a smoke, to wrap in a mist." This speaks metaphorically of the person who has their mind is such a clouded place...they are blinded as a result of their pride, arrogance, or conceit. Their perception of themselves is far greater then reality. 15. Proud is in the perfect tense which indicates this person's pride began in the past, it has had it's work on this person's life, and now, in the present, the pride has finished it's work where this person's pride is settled or permanent. 16. "...knowing nothing..."- The false teacher does not understand or know facts...especially not sound doctrine. They pridefully profess to know great things, but reality is they are devoid of knowledge. 17. 1 Tim 1:7 spoke of false teachers that they desired to be teachers of the law, but they did not understand the things they said or the things they affirmed. 18. "...obsessed with disputes and arguments over words..." the word "obsessed" is a medical term meaning "to be sick" or "diseased with" and could be rendered "morbid interest." The false teacher has an unhealthy morbid interest in disputes and arguments over words. This obsession with disputes over words is the opposite of "consenting to wholesome words" in verse 3. 19. Disputes are "controversial questionings" and arguments over words and could be rendered a "war of words." 20. The false teacher likes to debate, but in a prideful way where they don't care if they offend or cause harm to you. Their goal is not healthy conversation, but only to elevate themselves and their position. 21. You or I may debate and feel good if we can disagree, but honor one another and walk away peaceable and remain friends. The false teacher only cares about winning the argument and look at the result... 22. Paul says their disputes and arguments, and false teachings produce "envy, strife, reviling, and evil suspicions..." 23. This is the rotten fruit of their works. 24. "...envy..." one believer is now jealous over another believer's success...perhaps they are envying Timothy's success or other leader's success in Ephesus. 25. "...strife..." fighting and divisions or infighting within the church are evident, and stirred by this false teacher. 26. "...reviling..." blasphēmia in Greek. They slander and blaspheme the reputation of other believer's. 27. and "...evil suspicions..." False teachers are suspicious about other people, even though their suspicions are false and evil. Their claims about others are harmful, as we will see in verse 5. 28. verse 5 "...useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds..." 29. Useless wranglings literally means "rubbing against one another." The false teacher create constant friction. They are trouble makers, and they cause trouble all the time. 30. The mind of the false teacher is described as "corrupt" which means "to spoil," "rotted," or "decayed." They are of a debased mind, and because of their pride, evil, and corruption, they cause problems. 31. "...destitute of the truth..." 32. They have turned their backs on the truth, and defrauded themselves and attempt to defraud others. At one time they may have had the truth, but were misled pridefully worshiped knowledge, and sought personal gain... 33. which we see when Paul says, "...who suppose that godliness is a means of gain." 34. The false teacher sees piety or reverence for God as a means of personal gain, a way to acquire personal wealth and worldly interests. Their corrupt mind is not set on the eternal, but on the temporal. Their mind is not set on God's glory, but personal glory. 35. NLT renders this "...a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy." 36. The health and wealth / prosperity teachers of today are riddled with false teachers just like this. 37. Paul concludes verse 5 with sound council to Timothy, "From such withdraw yourself." 38. If you come across a person with this poor character, who is constantly stirring up trouble, teaching false teachings, and are motivated by personal gain...avoid them. 39. John spoke also about false teachers, he said, "For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. ... If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds." 2 Jn 7 and 10-11 40. You let a false teacher, like a door to door JW, into your house, you try to witness to them, they leave your house, knock on your neighbors door and say, "I just had a lovely conversation with your neighbor." 41. Remember what Paul said to Timothy about the apostate Christians in 1 Tim 4: 1-2 "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron..." 42. The false teacher is often an apostate christian who now wants to use twisted knowledge for personal gain. They have seared their conscience...they are sometimes too far gone. 43. So, Timothy, from such withdraw yourself. In contrast to the false teacher who is using godliness as a means of personal gain, look at verses 6-8, where Paul shares what true gain is... 1 Tim 6:6-8 "Now 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 clothing, with these we shall be content." 1. Paul has now shifted thought from the erroneous thinking of the false teacher to truth. The false teacher will never achieve contentment because they are focused on external gain. When you are driven by the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, you will not be content. Not just false teachers, but people who live for the world suffer from discontentment as well. 2. In contrast, True gain is godliness with contentment. 3. Godliness- is piety, reverence. A life lived centered on God and for his glory. 4. Contentment - speaks to "self-satisfaction or self-sufficiency." This is a mindset centered on God, and not on the world. The inner satisfaction and contentment did not come from material things, but from godly living, gratitude, and an eternal mindset. 5. Paul had this kind of pious contentment. Phil 4:11 "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 6. Whether Paul had a lot or little, he was content, and notice "he learned" to be content, it happened over time...and look at how he became content...because Christ strengthened him. 7. If you are Godly, but you are not content...you are a dissatisfied Christian, perhaps even a carnal Christian, because you have an "itch for more," you are not content with what you have, and you want more...this is greed and materialism, and is a sin and a sickness that plagues the soul. 8. If you are content, but not Godly...well, that's not the characteristic of a Christian...that's just a person living for the here and now, but not the eternal. That's no different than any unbeliever who has built a house on sand. 9. A person who is living a God-centered life, and learns to be satisfied no matter their life circumstance, that's more than money can buy...that's peace that surpasses understanding...that's true success...that's great gain. 10. Paul continues with explanation, "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out..." 11. Paul reminds us that we came into the world with nothing, and we leave with nothing. 12. Job said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21. 13. The things one acquires in this lifetime, like gold, that make a person rich materially, mean nothing in the eternal. Gold is asphalt in heaven. 14. Ps 49:16-17 "Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased; 17 For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him." 15. Turn to Luke 12:13. In Luke 12:13, Jesus taught on greed, and he told a parable highlighting that riches are not the main thing in life. Luke 12:13-21 "13 Then one from the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." 14 But He said to him, "Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?" 15 And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." 16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' 18 So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry." ' 20 But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' 21 "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." 16. In the eyes of the world, this man had wealth and retirement, and was about to live the golden years...he was living the American dream. 17. But, to God, he was a fool, because he was content, but he had no regard for God. 18. And, those things he stored up for himself, would just become someone else's inheritance, for he was not taking it with him. 19. William MacDonald wrote, "We might well ask ourselves the question, "If Christ should come today, whose would all my possessions be?" How much better to use them for God today than to let them fall into the devil's hands tomorrow! We can lay up treasure in heaven with them now, and thus be rich toward God. Or we can squander them on our flesh, and from the flesh reap corruption." 20. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught to have an eternal perspective in this lifetime, He said, "19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matt 6:19-21 21. The wise person will use their wealth now wisely for kingdom purposes. When done with the right motives, they store up for themselves treasures in heaven. Crowns of righteousness rewarded at the Bema Seat Judgment; they will enter heaven hearing, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." Mt 25:23 22. We will conclude in verse 8, where Paul says, "And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content." 23. The Christian who lives a life centered on God and learns to be content with life's basic necessities...food, clothing...Paul doesn't even mention shelter...just food and clothing. To learn to be content with these humble provisions, like Paul learned to be content with little because Christ strengthened him, this Christian is truly blessed and has great gain for they have godliness with contentment. 24. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught, "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Mat 6:31-34. 25. Christian- seek first the kingdom of God, and God will supply your material needs, and in time, like Paul you will learn to be content with your basic provisions, or your abundance. You will have great gain. Next week, we will finish this epistle to Timothy, and then onward to Matthew. Major applications for this week: * Work unto the Lord. If you work heartily unto the Lord, this serves as a testimony to those around you and serves to protect the name of God from blasphemy. * Be aware of false teachers and don't get entangled with them...withdraw yourself from such a one. * Godliness with contentment is great gain. Let's pray!