1 Timothy 6

1 Timothy 6:1-2

B1 Paul continues the pastoral responses to various congregational issues.

B2 Employers and employees

C1 Servants (I’ve already answered the question about slavery and the Bible).

C2 The application for most of us today is employee and employer relations.

C3 We are to give respect to our employer. The reason for this is that God will be honored and His teachings respected.

C4 If our employer is a believers, then we must not despise them. Even though they are our brother or sister we are to obey what they expect of us in our work.

1 Timothy 6:3-5

B2 Insist on these things

C1 What is the pastor or church to do when another member disagrees with these rules?

C2 They are described here as proud, ignorant, challenging words, and nitpicking.

C3 Their attitude and actions result in envy, discord, abusive verbal attacks, and evil suspicions. If a church member acts like this list, then it could be they are the person described in the first part of verse 4.

C4 Not only are they in a sick spiritual state, but they are also described as having corrupt minds, a total lack of truth, and have the wrong attitude that if he/she is rich, they are held in high regard by God.

C5 God advice Withdraw from this type of person. Put them out of the congregation, because they only cause trouble for the others.

1 Timothy 6:6-10

B3 Material wealth

C1 Even though many have the idea that being rich equals a person pleasing to God, God has a different thought—godliness with contentment is great gain.

C2 Money is not held in high regard with God.

C3 We were born naked and penniless, and whatever we have here, we will not take it with us when we die.

C4 We should be content if we have a place to sleep and clothes to wear (the clothing part of verse 8) and if we have food.

C5 Contentment:

D1 Hebrews 13:5 WEB Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.

D2 Philippians 4:11-12 NRSV Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.

C6 Being materially rich in this life might be spiritually dangerous. Be careful. They face:

D1 Temptations that others do not

D2 Traps

D3 Harmful cravings/desires

D4 All of which results in destruction and eternal ruin.

C7 A very serious warning from God—do not love money. Loving money will result in:

D1 Straying from the faith

D2 Piercing pains with many heartaches

1 Timothy 6:11-16

B4 Live the Christian life consistently

C1 We are to run away from those hurtful things.

C2 We are to seek and cultivate righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and meekness.

C3 We need God’s grace to continue in the faith. Let us be mindful of that and be careful about temptations. Sin is addictive.

C4 We must always have a good confession, not being ashamed of the Lord Jesus, His teachings, and His way of life.

C5 The time WILL when all will know for sure—they will see it with their own eyes—Jesus reigning in power. He is King of kings and lord of lords. God alone has:

D1 Immortality

D2 Living in light (a clear mind, a clear conscious, and no evil)

D3 The light that is so bright, no one can stand in His presence

D4 Perfect and everlasting honor

D5 Omnipotence

1 Timothy 6:17-19

B5 Instructions to the rich

C1 It is not sinful to be rich, but the rich have certain temptations

D1 Arrogance, haughty, because of their money

D2 Trusting in money, instead of God

D3 Tendency to not depend on God

C2 Some helpful suggestions are given to help them keep perspective

D1 Do good

D2 Be rich in good works rather than money

D3 A readiness to donate

D4 A cheerful willingness to share

C3 Doing these will result in

D1 A good foundation (solid and sure of faith to stand the spiritual blows and temptations of this life)

D2 Eternal life The eternal life will not come from what they do, for it is only through grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. What it means is they will not lose their salvation.

1 Timothy 6:20-21

B6 Warning about false logic

C1 A warning to be careful, to be steadfast, and to be faithful to Jesus Christ.

C2 A warning to avoid ungodly and fruitless discussions

C3 A warning to avoid leaning and depending on philosophy for life. Philosophy is useful, and God bless those brothers and sisters who study and use it for apologetics. The idea here is that faith might be lost if one depends and puts their trust in human knowledge ALONE.

B7 Applications

C1 We are to treat our employees God’s way.

C2 We are to respect our employers God’s way.

C3 We are not to trust in money or philosophy.

C4 We are to trust in God.

C5 We are to be content.