It would appear that slaves formed. considerable element in the early church. “The very difficulty of their position made it necessary that Timothy direct special instructions to them” _(Hiebert p. 106)._ In fact, there are many passages in the New Testament that address the responsibilities of slav... [ Continue Reading ]
“THOSE WHO HAVE BELIEVERS AS THEIR MASTERS”: Verse. was dealing with Christian slaves who had unbelieving masters, now we have instruction to slaves who had Christian masters. 1 TIMOTHY 6:2 “MUST NOT BE DISRESPECTFUL TO THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE BRETHREN”: “A Christian slave who had. Christian master m... [ Continue Reading ]
“If anyone”: DOES NOT MATTER WHO THEY ARE, OR WHAT REPUTATION AMONG CHRISTIANS THEY MAY HAVE (GALATIANS 1:6). THE WORD “IF” REMINDS US THAT THERE ARE SUCH MEN (2 PETER 2:1). 1 Timothy 6:3 “Advocates”: FALSE DOCTRINES DO END UP BEING TAUGHT AND ADVOCATED, ERROR DOES NOT REMAIN SILENT. 1 Timothy 6:3... [ Continue Reading ]
“HE IS CONCEITED”: Puffed up, that is blinded by pride, literally the term here means to “wrap in smoke”. The idea is to be wrapped in the clouds of arrogance and thus blinded. “His desire is not to display Christ, but to display himself. There are still preachers and teachers who are more concerned... [ Continue Reading ]
“ CONSTANT FRICTION”: Constant strife, mutual irritations, wearing discussion and protracted wrangling. 1 Timothy 6:5 “ BETWEEN MEN OF DEPRAVED MIND”: “Sadder still the spiritual character of the men who are occupied with such teaching. Their mind, the organ of moral thinking and comprehension, is i... [ Continue Reading ]
“BUT GODLINESS ACTUALLY IS. MEANS OF GREAT GAIN”: The word “but” introduces. contrast between the erroneous view mentioned in 1 Timothy 6:5 and the correct view held by Christians. “The verb ‘is' stands emphatically forward, such is actually the case, Paul insists, when it is combined with an inner... [ Continue Reading ]
“FOR”: This explains the reasoning behind the previous verses. 1 TIMOTHY 6:7 “WE HAVE BROUGHT NOTHING INTO THE WORLD”: Compare with Job 2:21; Psalms 49:17; Luke 12:15; Ecclesiastes 2:15. This statement should also remind us that since we brought nothing with us, the things that we have acquired in t... [ Continue Reading ]
“IF WE HAVE FOOD AND COVERING”: The term “covering” here includes both clothing and shelter. “Clothing or. house” _(Arndt p. 753)._ 1 TIMOTHY 6:8 “WITH THESE WE SHALL BE CONTENT”: Compare with Hebrews 13:5; Luke 3:14; Proverbs 30:8. This verse certainly tests the level of our faith. Today, are we... [ Continue Reading ]
“BUT THOSE WHO WANT TO GET RICH”: Here is the danger of seeking wealth as the prime end of life. “Paul shows what happens to people who do not have this attitude of Christian contentment” _(Hiebert p. 113)._ Remember, Paul is not simply talking about people in the world who desire to be rich, but Ch... [ Continue Reading ]
“FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY IS. ROOT OF ALL SORTS OF EVIL”: Note: Money itself is not evil, and neither is greed “the” root of all evil, rather, greed is simply “a” root of evil, other roots do exist. It is not the possession of things, but the love of things that leads men into temptation. Jesus taught... [ Continue Reading ]
“BUT FLEE FROM THESE THINGS”: That is avoid, shun,. sharp contrast with those who are “reaching after” such things. Avoid the root cause and you can avoid the consequences. The word “flee” is. present imperative and denotes continuous action. “There is no safe distance at which one can stop fleeing”... [ Continue Reading ]
“FIGHT”: Struggle, contend, in the present tense and indicates the continuity of the struggle of this life. Christians are soldiers in. spiritual battle (2 Timothy 2:3; Ephesians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 10:3). This is the fight worth fighting for, this is the real battle, the battle between good and evi... [ Continue Reading ]
“I CHARGE YOU”: To command, order, give orders, instruct, direct. 1 TIMOTHY 6:13 “IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD”: Compare with Galatians 1:20; 1 Timothy 5:21; 2 Timothy 2:14; 2 Timothy 4:1. “He cautions him to remember that God witnesses and will hold him to strict account if he fails to meet the responsi... [ Continue Reading ]
“THAT YOU KEEP THE COMMANDMENT”: The term “keep” here means to “attend to carefully, take care of, to preserve intact.” The word “commandment” stands for the whole body of God's commandments in the New Testament (2 Peter 2:21; 2 Peter 3:2; 1 Timothy 1:5). The KJV here has “this commandment”. “The en... [ Continue Reading ]
“WHICH HE WILL BRING ABOUT AT THE PROPER TIME”: Jesus will come at the right time, yet the “time” remains. secret (1 Thessalonians 5:1). In addition, there are no signs that will give clues or signals for this return. The expression “bring about” means to bring to pass, produce what can be seen, exh... [ Continue Reading ]
“WHO ALONE POSSESSES IMMORTALITY”: The word “immortality” literally means deathlessness, the word “immortal” means incorruptible, imperishable. God alone has the freedom from death, aging, and decay. God enjoys exemption from death, this is one reason why Jesus had to become flesh, so He would assum... [ Continue Reading ]
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE RICH 1 Timothy 6:17 “Instruct those who are rich in this present world”: The term “instruct” is the same as the term “charge” in 1 Timothy 6:13. It means to command and order. There is sure. good deal of “ordering” going on in. Timothy (1 Timothy 1:3; 1 Timothy 4:11; 1 Timothy 5:... [ Continue Reading ]
“INSTRUCT THEM TO DO GOOD, TO BE RICH IN GOOD WORKS”: That is, to lay up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19). If. rich person can use such wealth to help others spiritually and physically, and enjoy doing such, then he is using his wealth as God intended. The phrase “do good” is in the present tense.... [ Continue Reading ]
“STORING UP FOR THEMSELVES”: While the rich are doing good and being rich in good works, at the very same time they are storing up for themselves real and lasting riches. “By doing good works, we build. solid and stable spiritual possession” _(Reese p. 301). _ 1 TIMOTHY 6:19 “THE TREASURE OF. GOOD... [ Continue Reading ]
“O TIMOTHY, GUARD WHAT HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO YOU”: What had been entrusted to Timothy was God's truth (2 Timothy 2:2), and Timothy is expected to guard this truth, that is, preach it faithfully without any addition or subtraction (2 Timothy 4:2). And, to preach it when it needs to be preached. Do we... [ Continue Reading ]
“WHICH SOME HAVE PROFESSED AND THUS GONE ASTRAY FROM THE FAITH”: That is, such had actually happened in Ephesus to some of the members. The danger of such false-knowledge is that it had led some Christians away from the faith. 1 TIMOTHY 6:21 “GRACE BE WITH YOU”: “This benediction may be brief, but... [ Continue Reading ]