1 Timothy 6:3-10

Text 6:3-10

3 If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of Galatians 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain: 7 for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out; 8 but having food and covering we shall be therewith content. 9 But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Thought Questions 6:3-10

217.

A preacher should guard his heart with all diligence, that his motives for service be pureif he deviates from the plain teaching of the Scripture can we say it is because of pride? Read 1 Timothy 6:3-4 carefully.

218.

Are we to understand from 1 Timothy 6:3 that Paul is speaking of the actual words of Jesus as recorded in the four gospels, or does he refer to something else?

219.

What is the meaning of the expression the doctrine. according to godliness. Does this mean the doctrine leads to godliness, or proceeds from godliness?

220.

Does Paul mean to say that everyone who teaches false doctrine does so because of pride? Cf. 1 Timothy 6:4.

221.

How did such a one become sick? In what sense does he know nothing?

222.

Why would we naturally expect evil results from false teachings? Cf. 1 Timothy 6:4 b.

223.

Paul says some men are corrupted in mind. Explain.

224.

How would anyone imagine that godliness was a way of gain?

225.

Can we have godliness without contentment? Can we have contentment without godliness? Explain.

226.

To believe 1 Timothy 6:7-8 will produce contentment with our godliness. Explain why.

227.

Do you know of anyone who is completely satisfied with only food and covering?

228.

Please notice who is discussed in 1 Timothy 6:9. Does this apply to the present day preacher? There are many more who want to be rich than those who are troubled with actual riches. Which is the worst?

229.

What is the difference between the temptation, and a snare in 1 Timothy 6:9?

230.

Why compare those who are minded to be rich with drown men in destruction? Show the points of similarity,

231.

Does this verse say (1 Timothy 6:10) that money is the root of all evil? What does it say?

232.

In a very specific manner show how the love of money leads away from the faith, Remember, this can mean the preacher.

233.

What picture is presented to your mind in 1 Timothy 6:10 b? i.e.: have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Paraphrase 6:3-10

3 If any one teach differently, by affirming, that under the gospel slaves are not bound to serve their masters, but ought to be made free, and does not consent to the wholesome commandments which are our Lord Jesus Christ'S, and to the doctrine of the gospel, which in all points is conformable to true morality,
4 He is puffed up with pride, and knoweth nothing either of the Jewish or of the Christian revelation, although he pretends to have great knowledge of both; but is distempered in his mind about idle questions and debates of words, which afford no foundation for such a doctrine, but are the source of envy, contention, evil speakings, unjust suspicions that the truth is not sincerely maintained.
5 Keen disputings carried on contrary to conscience, by men wholly corrupted in their mind, and destitute of the true doctrine of the gospel, who reckon whatever produces most money is the best religion. From all such impious teachers withdraw thyself, and do not dispute with them.

6 But godliness, with a competency of food and raiment, (1 Timothy 6:8) is great gain, as it makes us happy both in the present life and in that which is to come; neither of which riches can do.

7 For we brought nothing into the world with us; and plain it is, that neither can we carry anything out of it. Things which we must leave behind us, cannot make us happy in the other world.
8 Wherefore, having food and raiment, and lodging, let us therewith be contented; banishing, as godly persons ought, immoderate desires of things not necessary, and which can be enjoyed only in this life,
9 But they who, not contented with food and raiment, are bent on being rich, fall into great temptations and snares in the pursuit; and, in the enjoyment of riches, into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which plunge men into destruction here, and into eternal perdition hereafter.
10 I have spoken thus sharply against covetousness, because the love of money is the root of all the sinful passions and actions of men; as may be seen in the false teachers, some of whom, eagerly desiring money, have wholly corrupted the doctrine of the gospel, and have pierced themselves all around with many sorrows, occasioned by the stings of conscience and the fears of punishment.

Comment 6:3-10

1 Timothy 6:3. The concluding section of this letter is addressed to the personal needs of Timothy as a minister. He writes first of the motives of the minister. One wrong motive is pride, which is stated in 1 Timothy 6:4. The results of such an unworthy motive are given in 1 Timothy 6:3: (1) He will teach a different doctrine. (2) He is not satisfied with the healthy words of the gospel. (3) Nor does he want a teaching that produces godliness. A love for self and position, produces a message to satisfy self and those who would be foolish enough to follow.

To advance self as an authority we must discount God's Word as the only source of authority. When such happens we can be sure such teaching as will be given will not produce healthy, strong Christians, but stunted and diseased heretics. When God and His Son are not the center of our motive for preaching, we can know the products of our preaching will not be godly.

1 Timothy 6:4. This verse discusses the cause for the results of 1 Timothy 6:3: in one word it is pride, but in its ramifications it can be described as: (1) Puffed up (2) Knowing nothing (3) Sick on questionings and disputes of words. Further results of such pride: (1) envy (2) strife (3) railing (4) evil surmisings. We shall discuss briefly these words in order: Puffed up means to inflate, to besmog. Truly, the inflated ego will put anyone in a fog, Knowing nothing is given in the sense of ignorance of the very basic tenets of the Christian faith; such a man has not even started to learn, for a learner or disciple will first deny himself, and take up his cross to follow Christ. Doting or sick about questionings and disputes. It is a little difficult to say whether such are sick because of such questionings and disputes, or because he is sick he disputes and questions. We prefer the former.

How deceptive is error? Neither those who are in error nor those who follow errorists find what they seek. The leader imagines he will find a measure of peace and powerthe followers look for security, and a new spiritual insightwhat is found?: envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings. Those who do not trust God find it difficult to trust anyone elseeven themselves. Such an evil brood keeps coming forth from those in error,

1 Timothy 6:5. In the latter half of this verse we have another wrong motive, avarice. The rest of this section, i.e. 6-10, carries a discussion of those who are minded to be rich. The results of pride and avarice are difficult to separateindeed they overlap one another. Both pride and money-love proceed from a diseased mind, Satan has robbed them of the truth. Could it be that anyone could enter the holy service of God and His Son with the low purpose of making money? To such, acquainted with the history of the church and present circumstances, such a question sounds naive indeed. This is an ever present temptation. When such offers are considered, please remember, to accept such is an admission of mind-corruption and truth-robbery.

1 Timothy 6:6. To balance the scale of values, Paul adds that in godliness there is great gain. The principle of gain through godliness is true. But this godliness must be genuinein it, and in it alone we must find our self-sufficiency. The contentment others seek in money, we must find in fellowship with God through Christ.

1 Timothy 6:7.Here is an axiom declared and emphasized by many, ancient and modern, profane and divineThere are no pockets in a shroud. we shall take out of this world exactly what we brought innothing! Why should our time and energies be spent on those things which perish with the using? The very things we have prepared for contentment will not bring it, even if we are afforded the opportunity to try them; which we many times are not. Happiness is within, not without.

1 Timothy 6:8. This verse pre-supposes we have seen the emptiness of striving after soul satisfaction in the husks of material possessions. When once we are thoroughly persuaded that security, peace, and hope, are not found in riches, we are ready to be shown just where they can be found. Man never gives up in his search for hope, happiness and security. When these are found in Jesus and His kingdom service, how shall we balance the natural need for food and shelter? When we have enough to eat, and covering for our body and head, we are satisfied. What were the creature comforts of our blessed Lord? and yet He is our example in successful living. When shall we follow Him?

1 Timothy 6:9. There are men driven by various types of desires; but of all the desires, the lust to be rich is at once the most popular and perilous. Such men are here described as an animal who has fallen into a trap from which he cannot escape. The bait is taken, and the trap springs to take its victim. What a sore trial man brings upon himself when once he reaches after the illusive pot of gold. Money was never intended to be an end, only a means. Money can be a wonderful servant, but what a monster for a master! Once we open the door to money-love, there are many related sins to entertain. Pride, honor, power, popularityall must be consideredall are foolish and hurtful. Paul changes the figure from an animal trap to a struggling swimmer. The swimmer struggles to save himself, but all who watch know he has spent his strength and is drowning. He is about to go down for the last time. What a tragic picture. But when we remember the drowning is in the lake of fire, and the death is eternal, we are indeed sad! How hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom ofheaven, or for those who are eager to be rich.

1 Timothy 6:10. This is a conclusion to the foregoing verse, and a warning to Timothy. At the base of this evil tree of many sorrows, you shall find the root of money-love. To follow after mammon is to leave the faith. We have but one life to investwhen we use it up in the pursuit of money, or what money can give, we have no time or energy left for God. We have not only forsaken the service required of the faithful, but we have forsaken the basic tenet of the Faithdeny yourself. How gradual and easy it is to be led astray by money-love. What seems to be an advantage becomes a terrible disadvantagewhat we intended to use is using uswhat we hoped was a bed of ease has become a couch of spears. The love of money will obligate us to fulfill our commitments. One after another, sorrow upon sorrow pierces our hearts. This is spiritual suicide!

Fact Questions 6:3-10

169.

What is the general content of this, the closing section of this letter?

170.

State two results of pride as a false motive for Christian work.

171.

Explain the meaning of puffed-up, and doting.

172.

Show the deception of error.

173.

Both pride and money-love proceed from one sourcewhat is it?

174.

Explain how godliness offers great gain.

175.

Why mention that we brought nothing into the world and we will take nothing out?

176.

How is our Lord an example in the use of creature comforts?

177.

How describe those who are minded to be rich? Why?

178.

Show how the love of money leads to spiritual suicide,