1 Timothy 6

1 All who are under the yoke [of bondage, slavery] of slavery should regard their masters [owners, lords] as fully worthy [deserving, of great honor] of honor, so that God’s [the Supreme Being, Creator] name [reputation, character] and our teaching [doctrine, instruction] will not be discredited [blasphemed, spoken evil of]. word study 2 Those who have believing [faithful, trusting in God] masters should not show disrespect [despise, think little of] because they are brothers [fellow Christians, united in faith], but should serve them all the more [with greater diligence, more readily], since those receiving their good service [benefiting from their work, partaking of the benefit] are beloved [cherished, loved by God] believers. Teach [instruct, guide] and encourage [plead with, comfort] these principles [truths, teachings]. word study 3 If anyone teaches [teaches otherwise, gives different teaching] another doctrine [a different doctrine, heresy] and disagrees [does not consent, does not agree] with the sound [wholesome, healthy] words [messages, teachings] of our Lord [Master, God] Jesus Christ [the Anointed One, God’s salvation] and with godly [according to piety, reverent] teaching [instruction, doctrine], word study 4 he is conceited [proud, puffed up] and understands [knows, has insight into] nothing [no truth, lacking knowledge]. Instead, he has an unhealthy [sick, diseased] interest [love, obsession] in controversies [questions, disputes] and semantics [word battles, logomachy], out of which come envy [jealousy, spite], strife [quarrels, arguments], abusive talk [railings, evil speakings], evil [bad, harmful] suspicions [surmisings, vague ideas], word study 5 and constant [useless, contentious] friction [wranglings, disputes] between men [human beings, people] of depraved [corrupted, perverse] mind [intellect, understanding] who are devoid [lacking, destitute] of the truth [reality, authenticity]. These men regard [suppose, think] godliness [piety, reverence] as a means [way, method] of gain [profit, financial benefit]. word study 6 Of course, godliness [true faith, piety] with contentment [self-sufficiency, being satisfied] is great [large, intense] gain [profit, benefit]. word study 7 For [since, because] we brought [carried, introduced] nothing [no possessions, no wealth] into the world [this earthly life, the cosmos], so we cannot [it is not possible for us to] carry [take, bring] anything [any possessions, any wealth] out of it [this life, the world]. word study 8 But if we have [possess, hold] food [nourishment, sustenance] and clothing [raiment, covering], we will be content [satisfied, sufficient] with these [just these basic necessities, what we have]. word study 9 Those who want [are determined, strongly desire] to be rich [wealthy, prosperous], however, fall [sink, plunge] into temptation [testing, trial] and become ensnared [trapped, caught] by many [numerous, various] foolish [unwise, unintelligent] and harmful [destructive, injurious] desires [longings, cravings] that plunge them into ruin [destruction, devastation] and destruction [loss, perdition]. word study 10 For the love [excessive desire, avarice] of money [wealth, riches] is the root [source, origin] of all kinds [every type, various] of evil [wickedness, harm]. By craving [longing, aspiring] it, some [certain individuals, people] have wandered away [strayed, turned aside] from the faith [trust, confidence in God] and pierced themselves [inflicted pain, suffered] with many [numerous, abundant] sorrows [anguish, grief]. word study 11 But you, O man [a human being] of God [the one true deity], flee [to run away] from these things [such love of money] and pursue [to follow after] righteousness [living according to God’s will], godliness [piety, showing respect to God], faith [trust and confidence in God], love [unconditional affection], perseverance [patiently waiting], and gentleness [humility and meekness]. word study 12 Fight [strive, contend with] the good [beautiful, noble] fight [struggle, contest] of the faith [trust, confidence in God]. Take hold [lay hold, seize] of the eternal [lasting forever, age-during] life [spiritual existence, everlasting] to which you were called [invited, summoned] when you made [professed, acknowledged] the good [beautiful, noble] confession [acknowledgment, testimony] before [in the presence of] many [a large number of] witnesses [those who see or experience something and can testify to it]. word study 13 I charge [give orders, command] you in the presence [before, in the sight] of God [the giver of life, the one true deity], who gives life [makes alive, quickens] to all things [everything, the whole creation], and of Christ Jesus [the anointed Messiah, Jesus the Savior], who made [witnessed, testified to] the good [beautiful, noble] confession [acknowledgment, declaration of faith] in His testimony [witness, profession] before [in the presence of] Pontius Pilate [the Roman governor, the judge]: word study 14 Keep [obey, observe carefully] this commandment [divine instruction, order] without [completely, entirely] stain [spot, blemish] or [unrebukeable, blameless] reproach [criticism, shame] until [up to the point of, before] the appearance of our Lord [Master, Savior] Jesus [God is salvation] Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah], word study 15 which [at the right time, in its own seasons] the blessed [happy, supremely fortunate] and only [alone, unique] Sovereign One [the eternal and only Ruler]—the King [a sovereign ruler] of kings [those who reign over others] and Lord [a master, one who has power] of lords [those who have authority over others]—will bring about [show, make known] in His own [private, personal] time [season, opportunity]. word study 16 He alone [the only one, unique] is immortal [having eternal life, deathless] and dwells [lives, resides] in unapproachable [inaccessible, divine] light [pure radiance, heavenly glory]. No one [nobody, none] has ever seen Him, nor can anyone [no human, none] see Him. To Him be honor [glory, reverence] and eternal [lasting forever, age-during] dominion [power, authority]! Amen [so be it, truly]. word study 17 Instruct those who are [possessing abundant wealth, rich in this world] rich [having a large amount of money, possessions, or resources] in the present age [this current time, the here and now] not to be conceited [proud, arrogant, or haughty] and not to put their hope [trust, confidence, or expectation] in the uncertainty [unreliability, instability] of wealth [material riches, earthly possessions], but in God [the living, all-powerful Creator], who richly [abundantly, generously] provides all things [everything necessary, every good thing] for us to enjoy [take pleasure in, appreciate]. word study 18 Instruct them to do good [to show kindness, be benevolent], to be rich [abundant, wealthy] in good works [noble deeds, righteous actions], and to be generous [willing to give, liberal] and ready to share [to distribute, communicate with others], word study 19 treasuring up [storing, laying up] for themselves [to their own benefit] a firm [good, solid] foundation [base, groundwork] for the future [time to come, what is to come], so that they may take hold [catch, seize] of that which is truly [really] life [eternal, everlasting, the life that is life indeed]. word study 20 O Timothy [dear to God], guard [watch over, protect] what has been entrusted [committed, given in trust] to you. Avoid irreverent [profane, unholy], empty [vain, meaningless] chatter [talk, babblings] and the opposing [contrary, conflicting] arguments [oppositions, contentions] of so-called [falsely named, misleadingly labeled] “knowledge [spiritual understanding, insight],” word study 21 which [certain ones, some people] some have professed [promising, claiming to have knowledge] and thus swerved away [deviated, erred] from the faith [trust, confidence in God]. Grace [unmerited favor, divine influence] be with [accompany, be among] you [as a group] all. word study