Bullet Point Bible - 1 Timothy 6

Instructions for Slaves

¹ Those who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent the name of God and Christian teaching from being discredited.² But those who have believing masters must not show them less respect because they are brothers. Instead they are to serve all the more, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.

This passage addresses Christians living within the Roman institution of slavery, a different context than later chattel slavery but still often oppressive.
The primary concern is the reputation of the gospel ("God's name and teaching") among outsiders (1 Tim 6:1).
Respectful conduct, even in difficult circumstances, was urged to avoid bringing dishonor to the Christian faith.
A distinction is made for slaves with believing masters: the shared faith should lead to *better* service, not exploitation of the relationship (1 Tim 6:2).
The principle discourages taking advantage of Christian fellowship for personal gain or showing disrespect based on equality in Christ.
These instructions reflect a practical outworking of faith within existing social structures, prioritizing witness over immediate social upheaval.
Paul's focus here is on the slave's attitude and behavior, complementing instructions to masters elsewhere (Eph 6:9, Col 4:1).
This teaching aims to prevent the perception that Christianity undermines social order or encourages insubordination, which could hinder its spread.

Warning Against False Teachers and Greed

³ If someone spreads false teachings and does not agree with sound words (that is, those of our Lord Jesus Christ) and with the teaching that accords with godliness,⁴ he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in controversies and verbal disputes. This gives rise to envy, dissension, slanders, evil suspicions,⁵ and constant bickering by people corrupted in their minds and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a way of making a profit.⁶ Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit.⁷ For we have brought nothing into this world and so we cannot take a single thing out either.⁸ But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that.⁹ Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation and a trap and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.¹⁰ For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.

False teaching is identified by its deviation from "sound words" (apostolic doctrine rooted in Christ) and its failure to produce "godliness" (*eusebeia* - practical piety) (1 Tim 6:3).
Characteristics of false teachers include pride ("conceited"), ignorance ("understands nothing"), and a focus on divisive debates ("controversies and quarrels") (1 Tim 6:4).
The fruit of false teaching is relational breakdown: envy, strife, slander, suspicion, and friction (1 Tim 6:4-5).
A key motivation exposed is greed: viewing "godliness as a way to financial gain" (1 Tim 6:5). This suggests some teachers exploited faith for profit.
True "great gain" is defined as "godliness combined with contentment" (1 Tim 6:6), shifting focus from material to spiritual wealth.
Contentment is grounded in the perspective of life's transience: we enter and leave the world with nothing (1 Tim 6:7). Basic necessities (food, clothing) are sufficient grounds for contentment (1 Tim 6:8).
The *desire* to be rich ("want to get rich") is presented as dangerous, leading to temptation, traps, and destructive desires (1 Tim 6:9).
The famous statement in 1 Tim 6:10 clarifies that the *love* of money (not money itself) is *a* root (not *the* only root) producing *all kinds* of evil (not necessarily every single evil act).
Craving wealth can lead believers astray from the faith and cause significant personal suffering ("pierced themselves with many sorrows") (1 Tim 6:10).

Charge to Timothy: Flee and Pursue

¹¹ But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that. Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness.¹² Compete well for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession for in the presence of many witnesses.¹³ I charge you before God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who made his good confession before Pontius Pilate,¹⁴ to obey this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ¹⁵ -whose appearing the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will reveal at the right time.¹⁶ He alone possesses immortality and lives in unapproachable light, whom no human has ever seen or is able to see. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen.

Timothy is addressed with the honorable title "man of God," emphasizing his responsibility and divine calling (1 Tim 6:11).
He receives a two-fold command: "flee" from the previously mentioned evils (greed, false teaching, strife) and actively "pursue" core Christian virtues (1 Tim 6:11).
The list of virtues (righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness) outlines the character expected of a spiritual leader.
Ministry is depicted as a struggle: "Fight the good fight of the faith" (1 Tim 6:12), requiring effort and perseverance.
Timothy is reminded to "take hold" of the eternal life he already possesses through his calling and public confession (likely baptism or ordination) (1 Tim 6:12).
The charge to remain faithful is solemn, invoked "before God" and "Christ Jesus," referencing Christ's own faithful confession before Pilate (1 Tim 6:13).
The goal is to keep the apostolic command (the substance of the faith and its practice) pure until Christ's return (1 Tim 6:14).
A powerful doxology (1 Tim 6:15-16) magnifies God's absolute sovereignty, uniqueness, immortality, and transcendence ("unapproachable light"). This grounds the charge in God's ultimate authority and power.
This description of God emphasizes His otherness and majesty, inspiring awe and reinforcing the seriousness of the command given to Timothy.

Instructions for the Rich

¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this world's goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.¹⁸ Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others.¹⁹ In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life.

Paul provides specific instructions for wealthy members of the church (1 Tim 6:17).
The first warning is against arrogance, a common temptation associated with wealth (1 Tim 6:17).
The second warning is against placing hope in the inherent uncertainty of riches (1 Tim 6:17).
True hope should be placed in God, acknowledged as the ultimate source of all provisions ("who richly provides us with everything") (1 Tim 6:17).
Wealthy believers are commanded to actively "do good" and become "rich in good deeds," redirecting their resources towards positive action (1 Tim 6:18).
Generosity and a willingness to share are key practical expressions of this command (1 Tim 6:18).
Using wealth in this godly manner is described as storing up "treasure" for the future – a "firm foundation for the coming age" (1 Tim 6:19), echoing Jesus' teaching (Matt 6:19-21).
This proper use of wealth enables believers to "take hold of the life that is truly life," contrasting eternal, spiritual reality with temporary material possessions (1 Tim 6:19).
The focus is on stewardship: wealth is not condemned, but its potential dangers (pride, false security) are addressed, and its proper use (generosity, good works) is commanded.

Final Charge and Benediction

²⁰ O Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and absurdities of so-called "knowledge."²¹ By professing it, some have strayed from the faith. Grace be with you all.

Paul concludes with a direct, personal appeal to Timothy (1 Tim 6:20).
The core command is to "guard the deposit" (Greek: *parathēkē*) – the body of truth, the gospel, and sound doctrine entrusted to him (1 Tim 6:20).
He must actively avoid two threats: "profane, empty chatter" (godless, meaningless talk) and the "opposing arguments" (antitheses) of false "knowledge" (Greek: *gnosis*) (1 Tim 6:20).
The reference to falsely called "knowledge" may hint at early forms of Gnosticism, which emphasized secret knowledge over apostolic teaching.
Pursuing this false knowledge has already led some astray from the true faith ("missed the mark concerning the faith") (1 Tim 6:21).
This underscores the vital importance of doctrinal faithfulness for Christian leaders and believers.
The final benediction, "Grace be with you all," uses a plural "you," indicating the letter was intended for the entire Ephesian church community, not just Timothy privately.
The closing emphasizes reliance on God's grace for fulfilling these commands and remaining faithful.

The Bullet Point Bible

1 Timothy 6