1 Timothy 6:17-21

FAITHFUL MINISTRY 1 Timothy 6:17-21 a

Text 6:17-21a

17 Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy: 18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be 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 the life which is life indeed. 20 O Timothy, guard that which is committed unto thee, turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called; 21 which some professing have erred concerning the faith.

Thought Questions 6:17-21a

260.

How would Timothy carry out the injunction of Paul as in 1 Timothy 6:17?

261.

In what town were these rich people living?

262.

Why would rich folk be especially tempted to be high minded?

263.

Specify their hope in richesshow how deceptive it is.

264.

Show in particular, the uncertainty of riches.

265.

How would Timothy know that these rich folk were fulfilling his word?

266.

Does Paul say in 1 Timothy 6:17 b that God created all things for man's enjoyment? How does this affect pride and materialism?

267.

The rich are to be rich in good worksisn-'t this the responsibility of all? Why specify the rich?

268.

Meaning of ready to distribute, willing to communicate,

269.

Can money be used to lay up a good foundation for heaven?

270.

Is Paul saying that however good life might be here, it can not compare with the life to come? How does this relate to earthly treasure?

271.

What was Timothy to guard?

272.

How was Timothy to guard it?

273.

Was the deposit with Timothy or Christ?

274.

What were the profane babblings?

275.

What is the knowledge of 1 Timothy 6:20?

276.

There is a false knowledge and a true knowledgeexplain the difference.

277.

Some professing themselves to be wise become foolswhat particular false knowledge was before Paul's mind in 1 Timothy 6:21 a?

Paraphrase 6:17-21 a

17 Though riches often prove a great snare to the possessors, they may be retained innocently. Therefore, charge the rich in the present world, to beware of pride, and of seeking their happiness from riches, the possession of which is so uncertain: But to trust in God, who ever liveth to make them happy, and who supplieth to us plentifully all things really necessary for enjoyment.
18 And instead of employing their riches merely in gratifying their senses, rather to use them in doing good works, and to be rich in those lovely works whereby the happiness of society is promoted: To be ready to distribute a part of their riches to the poor, communicative of their time and pains for advancing the interests of truth and virtue in the world;
19 Providing for themselves, not money, which can be of no use to them in the other world, but what is infinitely better, a good foundation to stand on in the day of judgment, that they may lay hold on the prize of eternal life.
20 O Timothy, preserve the doctrine committed in trust to thee, avoiding the impious, noisy, senseless talking of the Judaizers, and the oppositions to the gospels, founded on wrong interpretations of the Jewish scriptures, which they dignify with the appellation of knowledge; but it is falsely so named.
21 Which knowledge of the scriptures, some teachers professing, have erred with respect to the true Christian faith. But may the grace of God be with thee, to preserve thee from error. Amen.

Comment 6:17-21 a

1 Timothy 6:17. There are those who wish they were richwith such we have already dealt (Cf. 1 Timothy 6:9-10). Then there are those few who are blessed with material possessions. It is with such persons we are concerned. The gospel has a direct and personal application to every life. To the rich there are certain and particular temptations to avoid. Timothy is to speak with a good deal of urgency to these folk, about the temptation to look down on their less fortunate brothers. They might remember the one who though He was rich, yet for their sakes He became poor. Or the words of our Lord to the rich young ruler. There is a second temptation of special concern. Do not set your hopes on riches and what they can do. How easy it is for money to fail. Set your hope on God who never fails. There is a play on words in the last half of this verse, Notice that Paul includes himself and all other Christians, in the thought that God has made us rich. All things are of God. We are rich because God has so blessed usnaught have we gotten but what we received-grace has bestowed it since we believed. What a blessed truth to know that all good things were given for our enjoyment. This surely contradicts the thought that there is evil in matter. God intended our enjoyment of all material possessions, within the framework of His Will.

1 Timothy 6:18. The positive advantages of wealth are outlined in this verse. To whom much is given much is requiredeven in the material realm. Notice the four ways to enjoy riches: (1) To do goodi.e. to find some area where help is needed, and supply the need. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God. (2) Be rich in good works. This would seem to be but an emphasis of the former admonition. It suggests that the satisfaction and pleasure of the rich, will be found in work for Christ through their riches, instead of in the bank account. (3) Be ready to share well and generously with othersfind the real meaning of it is more blessed to give than to receive. This is easily said by those who have but littlebut it was originally said by Him who possessed all things (Acts 20:35). (4) Be ready to associate closely with those who have lessfeel a real partnership with every other Christianrich or poor. How pointed and pertinent these words are for the wealthy in Ephesus, and in all other places,

1 Timothy 6:19. The words of our Lord come immediately to mind upon reading this verse. Paul suggests that the rich can use their money and influence in such a manner as to lay up for themselves a warm welcome into heaven, This is just what Jesus meant when He saidmake to yourselves friends of the unrighteous mammon, that when it shall fail they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles (Cf. Luke 16:9). Our money can and should be used to win soulswhen it is, then the souls won who have gone on before will be waiting to welcome us into life which is life indeed, An awareness of this truth on the part of the rich, becomes within their consciousness and before God, a good foundation for appearing before God on judgment,

1 Timothy 6:20. In one verse we have the summation of the whole letter. God and Paul have made an investment in Timothythey expect returns on their investment. To Timothy was entrusted the gospelby this we mean, that which Paul has written in this letter and all the words of every inspired writer. To guard it, Timothy was not to simply keep it buried in his heart and home, but to keep it like a banker who keeps a great deposit of money. Thus it would not only be intact, but would be used and increased to the owner's advantage.

Positive instructions as to just how such a guarding is done, are found in the latter half of 1 Timothy 6:20. The same instructions with which Paul opened the letter (Cf. 1 Timothy 1:4-6) are given to close it. Paul asks Timothy to shun, to ignore, to turn away from all such empty chatter as that which he hears from certain law teachers. To argue with such persons is to give dignity to their teaching, which it does not deserve. Such false teachers imagine themselves to be full of knowledge, when they are only puffed up with their own ego. If God did not reveal the information in the body of truth called the faith (which we know now as the New Testament), then such information is to be treated as profane or unclean. One guards the truth by turning away from all insipid ranting.

1 Timothy 6:21. Regardless of how ridiculous the teaching might be, there are always some who will follow it. When such persons leave the faith for empty babblings, they do so professing to have some new and better light. They are actually in darkness and have missed the mark.

Fact Questions 6:17-21a

191.

There are two groups associated with richesname them.

192.

What is the meaning of the expression high minded? How can we avoid this temptation?

193.

Explain the play on words in 1 Timothy 6:17.

194.

God has given us richly all things to enjoyhow do we fulfill this purpose of God?

195.

What is meant by telling the rich to do good?

196.

The rich are to be rich in good worksspecify two or three good works in which they could be rich.

197.

Explain; ready to distribute, willing to communicate.

198.

Show how Luke 16:9 and 1 Timothy 6:19 discuss the same subject.

199.

What deposit did God and Paul have in Timothy?

200.

Just how was Timothy to guard the deposit?

201.

What was the knowledge which is falsely so called?

202.

Give the meaning of the expression: erred concerning the faith.