1 Timothy 6

1 Timothy 6:1-5

1. He treats of the duty of servants, ver. 1, 2, 3. 2. Of teachers, ver. 3, 4, 5. 3. Of godliness and countenance, ver. 6—11. 4. What Timothy was to for, and what to follow, ver. 11—13. 5. A solemn charge, ver. 13—17. And, 6. A charge for the rich, ver. 17, 18, 19. And lastly, A charge to Timothy, ver. 20, 21.

LET as many servants as are under the yoke, count their own matters worthy of all honour, that the name of God, and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2. And they that have believing matters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren: but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. Their things teach and exhort. 3. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholome 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 doing about questions and strifes of words; whereof cometh every, strife, railings, evil formidings. 5. Perverside disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

The apostle lays down,

1. The duty of Christian servants. Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own matters worthy of all honour, respect, and dutiful obedience; that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed, and that unbelievers may never have occasion to reproach them, as if their religion had made them proud, lazy, or disobedient. And they that have believing matters, let them not defray them, because they are brethren, as if Christianity destroyed the distinctions of providence, and brought all men on a level; no, but rather do them service, with peculiar submission, delight, diligence, and humility, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit, sharing all the blessings of the gospel salvation. Note, (1.) The gospel was never designed to destroy the distinctions God hath been pleased to make among men, but to direct every man how to adorn that station in which it hath pleased God to call him. (2.) The kindness and condescension of Christian matters must never teach servants to presume, but to treat them with greater respect, more affectionate regard, and unimpeached fidelity.

2. He warns Timothy to teach steadily these truths, and to beware of deceivers. Those things teach and ordent. If any man teach otherwise, as the judaising teachers, who suggest as if it were unlawful for Christian shows to obey their unbelieving matters; and consent not to wholome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, inculcating all dutiful discharge of our relations towards men, as well as piety towards God; he is proud, vainly puffed up with arrogant conceit of his own wisdom, though in fact knowing nothing as he ought to know; but doting about questions and strifes of words, engaged in vain and idle disputes about matters utterly insignificant; whereof cometh every, strife, railings, evil formidings, perversely disputing of men of corrupt minds, and who by such a spirit and temper evidently dares; that they are destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness, serving merely their own worldly interests, and not the cause of Christ and immortal souls: from such withdraw thyself, have no communion with them, nor suffer them to assemble among the faithful. Note, (1.) The doctrines of the gospel are doctrines according to godliness; and whatever would corrupt vital and practical religion cannot be the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2.) Proud disputers must needs be far from any true knowledge of that gospel whose first injunctions are peace and love. (3.) They who make godliness in profession the ladder to earthly gain, will shortly find how fearful is their loss, when death shall hurl them into the abyss of wretchedness.

3. 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 share, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drawn 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 the things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meritorious. 12. * fight the good fight of faith, * lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, * and half professed a good profession before many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:6-12

From the mention of the abuses of some corrupters of godliness, the apostles,

1. Cautious Timothy against covetousness, and to possess a contented mind. But godliness with contentment is great gain, making the mind happy in every state of life, and under every dispensation of providence; and this is the truth and most substantial gain even here below, where all our creature comforts are so precarious, insufficient, and perishing. For our brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out; but must return naked to the tomb, as we came from the womb. And therefore having food and raiment, covering for our bodies, and refreshment such as nature craves, let us be therewith content, not grasp after more, thankful for the mercies of the day, and trusting the Lord for the provision of to-morrow. But they that shall be rich, and, instead of being satisfied with their present allotted portion, are determined by every method to add to their store, and have their heart set upon wealth as their grand object; they fall into temptation and a piracy, and become an easy prey to the devil, plunging themselves, in the unhallowed pursuit after riches, into many foolish and hurtful lusts, into deceit, fraud, lying, rapine, injustice, etc., which draws now in destruction and perdition, and both body and soul perish for ever. For the love of money is the root of all evil, and the source of every vile and scandalous action: which while some have coveted after, we have seen the dreadful issue, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows; besides all their credits and vexations, laying up much bitterness for themselves, if they should hereafter be brought to repentance; and if not, treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath. But thou, O man of God, flee their things, be warned by others and examples, and from with abhorrence all such covetous principles and practices. Note, (1.) There is no true contentment in this world but that which springs from real godliness. (2.) We consult our truth interests when our souls are our first concern. (3.) It is a mortifying reflection to every world, how short-lived must be his equipments, and that he can carry nothing with him to the grave but a shroud and a coffin. (4.) Nature is satisfied with little, grace with less, but covetousness with nothing. (5.) They who will be rich are in the high road to ruin; Satan desires no fairer mark. (6.) The love of money hath destroyed more than any one other vice whatever. (7.) They who, to gain the world, lose their own souls, will prove shortly their folly to be great as their sin.

2. He enjoins him what was his proper pursuit. Follow after righteousness in your transactions with men; godliness, and holiness of heart and life; faith, an increasing measure of this divine grace, and approved fidelity in all your conversation; love to God and men; patience under every provocation; and meritorious, bearing with and gently instructing those that oppose themselves: yet, shewing with a becoming zeal for the truth, fight the good fight of faith against all opposing foes, from earth to hell, or inbred corruption; lay hold on eternal life, earnestly pressing towards the goal for the glorious prize, whereunto thou art also called by divine grace, as a Christian and an evangelist; and half professed a good profession before many witnesses at the ordination, and in the presence of those among whom thou hast preached and suffered for the gospel’s sake. Note, (1.) We are engaged in an arduous warfare, and have need and must fight every step to heaven against a host of spiritual foes which oppose our progress. (2.) Eternal life, the glorious crown before us, should animate us for every conflict. (3.) The good profession we have once made should engage us with increasing diligence to approve our fidelity before God and man.

3. • 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 bleffed 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 he honour and power everlasting. Amen. 17. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, * not 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 truth, * avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science faily so called: 21. Which some professing, * have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

1 Timothy 6:13-21

The apostle concludes,

1. With repeating his solemn charge, and enforcing it with the most cogent arguments. I charge thee in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, the author of life to all his creatures, and the giver of spiritual life to his confers; and before Christ Jesus, who is the most important, and who himself before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession, boldly asserting his own glorious character and office; that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, faithful to the solemn truth reported in thee, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ as the great day; which in his times, fixed in the eternal counsels, he shall shew, exactly accomplishing the promise of his coming, which he hath given to his people, according to the glorious names and characters which he bears, who is the blissful and only Potentate, to whom all in heaven and earth are subject, who hath the supreme and universal dominion: and, as he is infinitely blissful in himself, he makes also his people happy under his government: the King of kings, and Lord of lords, who all from him derive their power and authority, and to him are accountable; who only hath immortality in and of himself, and is the author of it to his creatures, whether angels or men; dwelling in uncreated glory, in the light which we man, in his present mortal state, can approach unto; whom no man hath seen or can see, in the full blaze of his divine perfections and attributes: to whom he honour and power everlasting iscribed by all the hosts of earth and heaven. Amen!

2. He gives him a particular charge to be delivered to the more opulent members of the church. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, puffed up on their worldly wealth and attainments; nor trust in uncertain riches as their dependence and rank, since there are transitory possessions; but in the living God, the only substantial and abiding good, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy, leading us with his benefits, and allowing us all sanctified use of his creatures: wherefore they who are thus favoured must see that they do good with their wealth, not abiding it in luxury and extravagance; but that they be rich in good works, employing their treasures for the benefit of mankind; ready to give, even unafford, to the indigent and necessities; willing to communicate of their substance, without grudging or niggardliness; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, disposing of their treasures in such a way as that they may have treason in heaven, and lay hold on eternal life. Note, (1.) Wealth is a talent intrusted with us for the benefit of our brethren: we are stewards, and must give an account of our profiting to the great Master. (2.) Riches are a great temptation to pride; therefore such as have affluence should be often admonished in their high estate to keep a humble mind. (3.) They are truly rich who are rich unto God, and improve their abundance to his glory.

3. He warns him, as before, to take heed of deceivers. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy truth, the unadulterated gospel word; avoiding prophecies and vain babblings, and oppositions of science faily so called, the noily talk and proud headlings of judaising treachers, pretending to high attainments in science, when in fact utter strangers to true wisdom; which some professing, have erred concerning the faith, and apotlasted from the truth. Note, That science which draws men from the simplicity of the gospel, however proud men may value themselves thereon, will be proved at last to be the most egregious folly.

4. He gives him his parting benediction. Grace be with thee, and that shall preserve thee from all error, and strengthen thee for the faithful discharge of the ministry. Amen!

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