1 Timothy Chapter 6 : The Connection of Church Members Continued

The Workers: 6:1-2

1 Timothy 6:1–2 KJV 1900

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.

This applies to employees and employers today. We are to honor and obey our employers and treat our employees as brothers in Christ.

The Wicked: 6:3-5

1 Timothy 6:3–5 KJV 1900

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.

This is a most serious and critical passage, a passage that the church must constantly study in order to keep its message and ministry pure. It deals with those who fill the pulpit and classrooms of the church, whether the positions are filled by true teachers or false teachers. Every minister, teacher, leader, and member must heed and search his heart over this description of the false teacher.

Contradictive: 3

The false teacher teaches a false doctrine (heterodidaskalei). (See —1 Ti. 1:3 .) He does not teach the words of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a terrible indictment. Imagine being in the pulpit of a Christian church and claiming to be a teacher of the Lord Jesus Christ, yet not teaching His words.

How many of us are guilty of this indictment?

How many of us are guilty of teaching a different doctrine?

Two reasons are given as to why the false teacher teaches a different doctrine.

Choose not to Associate with Jesus Christ.

The false teacher does not consent to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The word consent (proserchomai) means approach and has the sense of “attaching oneself to” Christ. The false teacher is just not willing to attach himself to the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is …

• not willing to confess that Jesus is the Lord God from heaven, the very Son of God Himself

• not willing to confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah and Savior of the world

Choose not to Accept Godliness.

The false teacher does not consent to the teachings of godliness.

He is …

• not willing to accept the righteousness of God revealed in Jesus Christ

• not willing to separate himself from the world nor to set his life wholly apart unto God

One or both of these reasons are why the false teacher does not teach the wholesome words of Christ, but rather chooses to teach a different doctrine and way of life.

He has committed his life to the profession of the ministry …

• as a way to serve mankind

• as a way to earn a livelihood

But he is not committed to represent Christ and His Word. As a result, the person is called a false teacher by both the Holy Scriptures and Christ.

Conceited: 4a

The false teacher is proud (tetuphotai). The word means puffed up and conceited. But note: the word includes the idea of folly; it lacks good sense.

Rejecting the evidence that Jesus is the Lord—the Lord Jesus Christ—is the height of pride and folly. Such rejection just lacks good sense.

1 Thessalonians–Philemon (King James Version) I. The False Teacher, 6:3–5

William Barclay has an excellent comment on the pride of the false teacher:

His first characteristic is conceit. His first aim is self-display. His desire is not to display Christ, but to display himself. There are still preachers and teachers who are more concerned to gain a following for themselves than for Jesus Christ. They are more concerned to press their own views upon people than they are to bring to men the word of God. When people meet together for worship they are not concerned to listen to what any man thinks; they are eager to hear what God says. The great preacher and teacher is not a purveyor of his own ideas; he is an echo of God.

Contentious: 4b

The result, of course, is what we so often see written in the faces and minds of the false teacher and those who sit under him: many thoughts and moments of …

• disturbance and lack of peace

• emptiness and lack of purpose

• questioning and lack of meaning

• wondering if God really does exist

• wondering if there is really any meaning to religion and worship

• wondering if there is a world or life beyond this earth

Why? Because what the human heart craves is God and His Word, the knowledge and assurance of Him and His guidance.

Cranky: 5

False teacher do not focus upon the truth, the Word of God. They are destitute and empty of the truth. They do not possess nor teach the truth. They are bankrupt when it comes to the truth.

However, note this: what the false teacher teaches often helps us do better. It often helps to build our ego and self-image and to achieve more in this life. Some self-help preaching is just like some self-help programs, clinics, and seminars conducted all across the nation: they are excellent in so far as they go. But they have one serious flaw: they do not go far enough.

They do not show …

• that God is really with us and looking after us as we walk upon earth

• that Jesus Christ has really died for our sins and risen to give us life—life that goes on forever

• that God has really forgiven our sins and accepted us in Christ

• that when we die, God will immediately transfer us into His presence to live with Him forever

This kind of absolute, deep, intense assurance is missing in the false teacher and in anyone else whose mind is not focused upon “the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the doctrine … of godliness,” that is, the Word of God (v. 3).

The Wise: 6:6-8

1 Timothy 6:6–8 KJV 1900

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.

Contentment is found in Godliness

Our Beginning at BIRTH

Our Ending at DEATH

Contentment with Necessities

Godliness alone can make a person content.

Godliness alone can take a person and make him …

• fulfilled

• satisfied

• complete

• sufficient

The Wealthy: 6:9-10

1 Timothy 6:9–10 KJV 1900

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.

Contentment is not Found in Greenbacks

This is shocking, for the rich cling and hoard their money, and the rest of mankind is forever seeking to get more and more money. But God is clear about the matter: money and wealth do not bring contentment.

Their Craving: 9

Changes Attitude:

Changes Affections:

1 Thessalonians–Philemon (King James Version) J. The Secret of Contentment, 6:6–10

Money drowns men in destruction and perdition. The word drown (buthizo) is a descriptive picture of wealth being “a personal monster, which plunges its victims into an ocean of complete destruction.” The idea is this: the person who falls into the foolish and hurtful lusts of this world will be utterly destroyed and ruined, both in body and soul. And the destruction and ruin will be for eternity.

Their Carnage: 10

Note the three reasons why money—is the root of all evil.

⇒ The love of money causes people to covet, and covetousness is idolatry.

⇒ The love of money causes people to wander away from the faith. It causes people to go after the lusts of this world.

⇒ The love of money causes people to pierce themselves through with many sorrows. The things, possessions, and lusts of this world do not satisfy nor fulfill a person’s heart and life. Money cannot bring contentment to a person. The love of money only consumes and eats a person with grief. It pierces the heart with a void—the void of emptiness and worry, anxiety, and insecurity. Money cannot buy love, health, and deliverance from death. Money cannot buy God; it cannot buy assurance, not the assurance and confidence of living forever.

1 Thessalonians–Philemon (King James Version) J. The Secret of Contentment, 6:6–10

William Barclay himself makes an excellent point that is worthy of note:

Money in itself is neither good nor bad; it is simply dangerous in that the love of it may become bad. With money a man can do much good; and with money he can do much evil. With money a man can selfishly serve his own desires; and with money he can generously answer to the cry of his neighbour’s need. With money a man can buy his way to the forbidden things and facilitate the path of wrong-doing; and with money he can make it easier for someone else to live as God meant him to live. Money is not an evil, but it is a great responsibility.

The Worthy: 6:11-21

This is a straightforward charge to the minister of God. The minister is called the “man of God.”

1 Timothy 6:11 KJV 1900

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

Flee Evil and Follow Good: 11

A person is to flee the love of money—run away from all that has just been covered in verses 9–10.

The word follow (dioke) is strong. It means to run after; to run swiftly after; to hotly pursue; to seek eagerly and earnestly. It has the idea of aiming at and pursuing until something is gained; of never giving up until we have reached our goal.

There are six things the man of God is to pursue.

1. The man of God pursues righteousness (dikiaosune).

Righteousness means two things.

a. Righteousness means being right with God.

b. Righteousness means doing right, that is, living exactly as God says to live. Simply stated, a righteous person is a person who lives right—a person who does his duty both to God and to man. He lives doing what he should do. He lives a righteous life, walking righteously before God and man day by day. As a result, he is free from guilt and has a free conscience and a strong self-image. The man of God follows and runs after righteousness.

2. The man of God pursues godliness (eusebeian).

Godliness means to live in the reverence and awe of God; to be so conscious of God’s presence that one lives just as God would live if He were walking upon earth. It means to live seeking to be like God; to seek to possess the very character, nature, and behavior of God. The man of God follows and runs after godliness. He seeks to gain a consciousness of God’s presence—a consciousness so intense that he actually lives as God would live if He were on earth.

Note: godliness means to be Christlike. Godliness is Christlikeness: it is living upon earth just as Christ lived.

3. The man of God pursues faith (pistin).

Faith means both to believe and to be faithful.

⇒ The man of God seeks faith: to learn to trust God more and more; to be a man of faith, a man of great faith and belief. He wants to believe, trust, and depend upon God—to grow more and more in believing God.

⇒ The man of God seeks to be faithful: be faithful to God more and more. He wants to be loyal, obedient, and attached to God. He wants to please God in all that he does.

4. The man of God pursues love.

5. The man of God pursues patience (hupomonen).

Means to be steadfast, to endure, and to persevere.

6. The man of God pursues meekness (praupathian).

Meekness means to be gentle, tender, humble, mild, considerate, but strongly so. Meekness has the strength to control and discipline, and it does so at the right time.

a. Meekness has a humble state of mind.

But this does not mean the person is weak, cowardly, and bowing. The meek person simply loves people and loves peace; therefore, he walks humbly among men regardless of their status and circumstance in life. Associating with the poor and lowly of this earth does not bother the meek person. He desires to be a friend to all and to help all as much as possible.

b. Meekness has a strong state of mind.

It looks at situations and wants justice and right to be done. It is not a weak mind that ignores and neglects evil and wrong-doing, abuse and suffering.

c. Meekness has strong self-control.

The meek person controls his spirit and mind. He controls the lusts of his flesh. He does not give way to ill-temper, retaliation, passion, indulgence, or license. The meek person dies to himself, to what his flesh would like to do, and he does the right thing—exactly what God wants done.

In summary, the meek person walks in a humble, tender, but strong state of mind. He denies himself and gives utmost consideration to others. He shows a control and righteous anger against injustice and evil. A meek man forgets self and lives for others because of what Christ has done for him.

Fight the Good Fight: 12

1 Timothy 6:12 KJV 1900

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.

This is a picture of an athletic contest. The word fight (agonizou) means to agonize, struggle, battle, contend, and fight for the prize. It is the idea of a desperate effort and struggle.

Note: the believer is in a desperate struggle for eternal life. Laying hold on the prize of eternal life is the struggle. Eternal life is the goal for which the man of God is fighting.

Faithfully Fulfill God Name: 13-16

1 Timothy 6:13–16 KJV 1900

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.

Our Charge

Our Consideration

The word quicken (zoogonountos) means to give life; to bring forth alive. God is life; He possesses the very energy and power of life within Himself.

Therefore, God actually has the power to inject and infuse eternal life into us. There is no greater reason for keeping the commandments of God. If we keep His commandments, He will quicken us to live forever; He will give us eternal life.

Our Commitment

The point is judgment. Every one of us must confront Christ: we will be called forth and be forced to stand face to face with Him. We will have to give an account of how well we kept His commandments.

Forewarn the Gilded: 17-19

1 Timothy 6:17–19 KJV 1900

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 to distribute, 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.

The word charge (paraggelle) is a strong word. It has the force of a military command, yet it has the tenderness of an appeal to it. It means to beg and beseech a person—strongly so—to the point that the person is commanded to act.

In this charge God is appealing and begging the rich person, but He is doing it so strongly that it is a command. The rich person is approached in love and tenderness and an appeal is made to him, but he is expected to do exactly what God says.

- Must not be arrogant

- Must not trust in riches

- Must hope & trust in the living God

- Must do good & be rich in good deeds: Be generous & share sacrificially

- Must lay up wealth for the world to come

Forsake the Godless: 20-21

1 Timothy 6:20–21 KJV 1900

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 picture here is that of a deposit, of a faithful and diligent banker who looks after the money deposited into his care.

The minister of God is to guard and keep, look after and care for the faith and truth of God, the faith and truth of His Son and of His Word, of His Revelation and of His gospel. The minister must never forget that God has deposited—actually laid—the truth of God into his hands. The minister has been entrusted with the gospel of God, the glorious message of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians–Philemon (King James Version) L. The Rich Man and the Minister: The Final Charge, 6:17–21

William Barclay’s comments are also worthy of quote:

If in our day the Christian faith were to be twisted and distorted, it would not only be we who were the losers; those of generations still to come would be robbed of something infinitely precious. We are not only the possessors, we are also the trustees of the faith. That which we have received, we must also hand on.