1 Commentary by Ron Thomas. Questions by John C. Sewell. Duties of Slaves Love of Money Paul s Charge to Timothy 1 Timothy 6:1-21
2 Duties of Slaves Love of Money Paul s Charge to Timothy Text: 1 Timothy 6:1-21, 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. 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. 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. 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. 11. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
3 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. 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, unrebukable, 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. 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. 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. Commentary: 1 Timothy 6:1, 2, 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. 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.
4 I. Bondservants under the yoke. Some translations read, slave or under the yoke. The idea is that a Christians may be in a predicament (by choice, circumstance, or otherwise) that he cares nothing at all for what should he do? A. How they are to regard those whom they serve? 1. They are to regard their masters as men worthy of honor. 2. The meaning here is that the slave ought to show the Christian spirit toward his master who was not a Christian; he ought to conduct himself so that religion would not be dishonored; he ought not to give his master occasion to say that the only effect of the Christian religion on the mind of a servant was to make him restless, discontented, dissatisfied, and disobedient (Barnes, E-Sword). B. Who is it they actually serve? 1. In this world the Christian slave serves his human master, but he really serves God. As difficult as it may appear, and there is no reason to think it would not be, one must look past this world to the next. 2. Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior (Titus 2:9-10). C. Those masters who are Christians have an obligation as well. 1. It is important that those Christians in positions of master not abuse their position and lose sight of the Lord Jesus Christ.
5 2. To serve the Lord Jesus is to serve one s fellow man. 3. If a Christian master has a slave, then he is to treat him in accordance with that which is decent. 4. Paul does not deal with the propriety of whether it is even good or not to have slaves. a. His point is simply that if one finds himself in this circumstance there is a way to live; one must live for Christ. 5. This illustration of the master/slave relationship can have an application to the employer/employee relationship as well. II. Teach and exhort these things. 1 Timothy 6:3-5, 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; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. I. Just a few verses back Paul said Timothy is to teach and exhort these things. However, there are some in this world and, unfortunately, in the Lord s church, who seem not to care about spiritual things. II. What Paul said is wholesome words (NKJV) or, in other words, sound words. A. What Paul had to say gave one perfect health in spiritual matters.
6 B. He even said that what he spoke were the words of the Lord Jesus Christ. C. For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience-- by word and deed (Romans 15:18, ESV). III. That person who does not consent to healthy words (for the soul) is one who is proud and does not know what he thinks he knows. A. These kinds of people think that godliness is a way of gain, that is; they think that by fussing and fighting they can gain their way ahead. B. The Greek brings out that these men [false teachers] are supposing all along that the practice of their religious profession will be lucrative and will serve their world interest (Reese, p. 272). C. Paul said these men: 1. don t know what they think they know. 2. have a corrupt mind. 3. have not the truth. 4. Timothy is to withdraw himself from them (NKJV). 1 Timothy 6:6-10, But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 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. For the love of money is the root of all
7 evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. I. Godliness with contentment is great gain! A. It is not just godliness, but godliness with contentment that is a great gain. B. This is important because whatever we possess on this earth stays here we cannot take it with us. Being content with what we have is useful, beneficial. C. Let us not make the mistake by thinking, however, that we cannot better ourselves in this life. 1. Trying to make life better, trying to improve one s lot in life is certainly something the child of God can do without the Lord s displeasure. 2. Yet, having a complete understanding that happiness is not in what we possess, but in the Lord is crucial to having a proper balance between the material and the spiritual. 3. Always, spirituality takes precedence, but it is possible to have a balance in these matters. II. Though we may have a proper balance between the two, let us not forget that money has its problems associated with it. A. There are those who desire to be rich. 1. This attitude encourages a fall into temptations. 2. The problem Paul speaks about is not money; it is the attitude that consumes itself with getting money.
8 3. Some people are ever grasping to become rich. They intend to become wealthy. B. When this is the case, usually a dethroning takes place. 1. God is no longer on the throne of the heart, but money and riches are on the heart s throne. 2. Satan loves this attitude and action of Christians. a. He wants the child of God to seek to gain all he can of this life and when he does, he drowns in destruction and perdition. C. The KJV says the love of money is the root of all evil. The NKJV says the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 1. The difference between the two translations is the definite article the and the indefinite article a. 2. The definite article the gives the sense that the love of money is the only real evil in this world. This would be a mistake. 3. The NKJV is a better translation of the verse. 4. Many evils have at their foundation the love of money, but there are other evils in this world that are not associated with money; for instance, one can despise God s will for his life and have no evident love of money. D. In any event, those who love money have pierced themselves with many sorrows.
9 1 Timothy 6:11, 12, But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 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. I. Timothy, being the man of God that he is, is to flee unrighteousness and pursue righteousness. II. Paul tells Timothy that he must fight the good fight of faith. A. Paul tells Timothy to fight the good fight of faith. B. The notion here is to exert all your strength in the honorable struggle for the faith 1. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. C. This is NOT talking about being contentious with other people even those who are believers. 1. If a person has an inadequate view of the Scriptures, then it is certainly in order to study with them on the topics in question. 2. That is a far cry, however, from fighting the good fight of faith exhortation the Holy Spirit gives us.
10 3. I think the best way to explain this is to note what the Holy Spirit said elsewhere. D. Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the stratagems of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenlies. Because of this, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having accomplished all things, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; through every prayer and petition, praying in every season in the Spirit, being watchful to this same thing with all perseverance and petition concerning all the saints (Ephesians 6:10-18, English Majority Text Version). III. He is to take hold of eternal life and not let it go; clinging to it because his life depends on it. A. When a person becomes a Christian, that person is to count the cost of his decision. 1. Luke 9:62, And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. B. If a person, after having counted the cost, wants to become a Christian, that person must take hold of eternal life, grasping for it in such a way that letting go is not an option.
11 C. Like grabbing hold of a rope and pulling another to safety, the Lord has sent us a lifeline and we are to grab hold, not letting go. He is now bringing us into safety. IV. The good confession Timothy made, more than likely, corresponds to: So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 10:32-33, ESV). 1 Timothy 6:13-16, 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; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 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. I. Timothy s Charge. A. Timothy has already been exhorted to flee youthful lusts; now he is to keep the commandment of God without spot, being blameless, without partiality, and until our Lord s coming. 1. The word keep means Timothy is to stand guard over it. a. That means he is to faithfully preach, protect, and preserve it from gainsayers. b. 2 Timothy 2:2, And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
12 2. He is to keep God s commandment by living a life worthy of God (v. 11; 4:16). a. 1 Timothy 6:11, But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. b. 1 Timothy 4:16, Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 3. There is no relaxing of this charge. It holds sway over every preacher until the Lord s return. B. Paul gave Timothy this charge in God s presence (this includes God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ). II. Our Lord Jesus Christ. A. The natural reading of this section would encourage one to think Jesus Christ is in view. 1. However, some expositors think God the Father is in view. 2. While one cannot simply lay aside what a number of good Bible expositors think, it appears that the Lord Jesus is the one to whom Paul is referring. B. He stood before Pontius Pilate. 1. Matthew 27:11, And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
13 2. Mark 14:62, And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 3. Mark 15:2, And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto them, Thou sayest it. 4. Luke 23:2, 3, And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it. C. He made the good confession. Jesus being Timothy s (ours) example, he (we) can press forward. 1. 1 Peter 2:21-25, For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. D. He is blessed and the only Sovereign. 1. Psalm 100:1-5, Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful
14 unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. E. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. 1. Revelation 19:16, And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. F. He alone has immortality. 1. This refers to Deity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit). G. He dwells in unapproachable lights. 1. No man can see Him in the eternal realm and in His exalted state and live. a. Psalm 104:2, Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: b. 1 John 1:5, This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. c. Revelation 21:3; And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. d. Revelation 22:5, And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the
15 Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. H. No man has seen or can see Him. No doubt this refers to God, but can it refer to God in His glorified state as it did in Exodus 33:18-23 (which most believe is Jesus in His pre-incarnate state, cf. 1 Corinthians 10:4)? 1. Exodus 33:18-23, And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen. 2. 1 Corinthians 10:4, And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 1 Timothy 6:17-19, 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; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. I. Exhortations to the rich. A. Money has always plagued man.
16 B. Money is merely an instrument of commerce: one has to have it in order to satisfy one s needs. C. The problem is that when one is consumed by money a bad attitude results. II. Have a good attitude. A. Paul says those who are rich are not to have an attitude that reflects poorly on the Lord God and on themselves. B. To say someone is haughty is to recognize that person thinks more of himself than those around him; this is, otherwise, called arrogant! C. Arrogant people can think much of their ability to achieve whatever they desire and this results in trusting themselves more than God. D. Paul, on the other hand, wants them to trust in something greater. III. Trust in reliable riches. A. We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm. 1. God s mercy was so great that one is truly rich when that mercy is extended to him and he receives it. 2. Ephesians 1:3, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
17 3. Ephesians 2:4, But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, B. That which God gives us in this life is to be enjoyed, not abused or used selfishly. 1. It would be foolish for us to think that by our own ability and know how we accomplished and achieved much. 2. Do we forget that it was the Lord God who created this earth for us to enjoy and make our wealth? 3. Are we so naïve that we lost sight of the fact that the real creator of wealth is God? IV. The child of God, thinking correctly and soberly, will forget none of this. A. Rather he (she) will continually do good with what God has given. B. The Christian will seek the Lord s glory, not his own. V. This attitude will result in a person s storing up for himself treasures in heaven. 1 Timothy 6:20, 21, O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. I. That which was committed unto Timothy was the word Paul preached.
18 A. Paul needed men who had the same devotion to God as he did in order for the word of God to be faithfully proclaimed. 2. 2 Timothy 2:2, And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. II. While Timothy was to guard the deposit, he was to avoid those things counter-productive to spiritual health. Here it is called irreverent babble. He gave similar admonitions to Titus. A. Titus 3:9-11, But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. III. Knowledge is a powerful thing, if it has its foundation ok something greater than itself. A. If a man says he know anything, he should be able to produce the basis of his knowledge. B. If the basis of his knowledge is only the result of his own inference, then knowledge is only as strong as the inference. C. On the other hand, if knowledge comes from God, then that knowledge is as strong as God. D. Timothy is to stay away from that knowledge that has its basis in man and promotes itself as being illuminating. E. This kind of illuminating knowledge will be by fire! III. Paul extends to Timothy kind words in closing.
19 Questions 1 Timothy 6:1-21 1. What directives did Paul give to slaves? 2. What was the purpose of these commands? 3. What didn t Paul abolish slavery in view of its being inherently evil? 4. What obligations did Christian slave owners have toward their bondservants?
20 5. Are Christian and slave owner contradictory terms? Explain your answers. 6. How does Paul describe those who do not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ? 7. How does worship of diversity relate to Paul s statement in verse 3 regarding a different doctrine? 8. The person who is not sound in doctrine has an for and for about, which produce,,,, and among people who are in and of the, imagining that is a of.
21 9. When Paul made the above statement, was he intolerant? If so, is it wrong to be intolerant? Under what conditions, if any, is intolerance acceptable? 10. Could you be content with only food and clothing? What are your thoughts on this question? 11. What is great gain? How can this be achieved? 12. What dangers are faced by those who desire to be rich?
22 13. Is the love of money the root of all evil? Explain your answer. 14. Is it alright to seek to better ourselves financially? 15. The man of God is to pursue,,,,,. 16. What is involved in the command, Fight the good fight of the faith? 17. What is the good confession?
23 18. What charge did Paul tell Timothy to deliver to the rich? 19. How much money does a person have to have to be rich? Can a person ever have too much money? 20. What irreverent babble have you heard lately that purports to be knowledge?
24.