I Timothy 6 Commentary: Godliness, Contentment, and True Wealth
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.
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.
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 evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
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 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, unrebukeable, 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.
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.
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. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.
I Timothy 6, the concluding chapter of Paul's first letter to Timothy, serves as a powerful capstone to the practical instructions given in the preceding chapters. Building upon the themes of godly living and the avoidance of temptation, Paul provides Timothy with vital guidance for both his personal conduct and the leadership of the church in Ephesus. This chapter addresses key issues such as the conduct of slaves, the dangers of false teaching, the right attitude towards wealth, and a final charge to Timothy to remain faithful. Understanding these principles is crucial for anyone seeking to live a life that honors God and impacts others for the sake of the Gospel. Let's dive in!
Instructions for Slaves (6:1-2)
Paul begins by addressing the conduct of slaves (or bondservants), a continuation of the discussion that began in I Timothy 5. He instructs them to show their masters respect, "so that God’s name and teaching may not be blasphemed" (I Timothy 6:1). Regardless of their circumstances, believers are called to maintain good Christian conduct. This serves as a powerful witness and makes it easier to influence others for God's sake.
For those slaves with believing masters, Paul urges them to serve all the more diligently, "because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dearly loved" (I Timothy 6:2). The bond between Christian brothers and sisters transcends earthly status. Both slave and master are sons and daughters of God in Christ (Galatians 3:26, 28). Therefore, service should be motivated by love and a desire to honor God. These principles are applicable to employer-employee relationships today, emphasizing respect, diligence, and mutual care.
The Danger of False Teachers (6:3-5)
Paul then turns his attention to the false teachers who were causing problems in the Ephesian church. He condemns their actions with strong words, highlighting the characteristics that often mark those who promote false doctrines. These individuals do not agree "with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness" (I Timothy 6:3).
Instead, they are "puffed up with conceit and understand nothing" (I Timothy 6:4). They are obsessed with controversy and disputes, leading to envy, strife, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among those who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain" (I Timothy 6:4-5). Their motivation for ministry is money. They see godliness as a way of material gain, a stark contrast to the true nature of Christian faith. Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus to specifically combat these false teachers (I Timothy 1:3-4).
Godliness with Contentment (6:6-10)
These verses address attitudes toward finances and godly living, demonstrating how closely connected these two areas are. Paul declares, "godliness with contentment is great gain" (I Timothy 6:6). While godliness should not be viewed as a means of material gain, it is, nevertheless, a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. Contentment is being at ease (inner sufficiency) where you are and being thankful for what you have. It doesn’t mean complacency; rather, it’s learning to be satisfied until God gives you more (see Philippians 4:11-13; Proverbs 30:8-9). Complaining is empirical proof of discontentment. But if you have contentment, you have inner sufficiency in spite of external circumstances. You have that which “is truly life” (I Timothy 6:19). A lack of contentment will stifle godliness, but content people know that God is acting on their behalf.
We brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out (I Timothy 6:7). Therefore, we should not accumulate stuff. If we have food and clothing, we should be content (I Timothy 6:8). Godliness with a full stomach, clothes on your back, and a roof over your head is enough for you to be content. Everything else is a bonus. Godly people are content with their needs being met (see Hebrews 13:5-6).
Paul warns against the pursuit of wealth as life's priority. "Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction" (I Timothy 6:9). The love of money, not money itself, is "a root of all kinds of evils" (I Timothy 6:10). When we prioritize growing our material lives while allowing our spiritual lives to decline, we demonstrate that we love money. This can lead to a craving for more and end in many griefs. King Solomon, once the wealthiest man in the world, said, “The one who loves silver is never satisfied with silver, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income” (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
Pursue Godliness (6:11-16)
Having spoken of the benefits of godliness and the dangers of greed, Paul tells Timothy to flee from these things (the pursuit of purpose in wealth) and pursue righteousness, godliness (surprise!), faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. We must do both: flee what harms and pursue what gives life. As the writer of Hebrews says, “Lay aside every hindrance . . . and run with endurance” (Hebrews 12:1). Leave sin behind and pursue spiritual development.
Paul exhorts Timothy to "fight the good fight of the faith" (I Timothy 6:12). He is to consider the life of faith as a good and worthwhile fight that he is to wage. In this fight, he must take hold of eternal life—not eternal salvation (for Timothy was already born again) but of the experiential knowledge of God through Christ. “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ” (John 17:3). It was to this that Timothy had been called and about which he had made a good confession: to grow in the knowledge of God and help others to do the same (I Timothy 6:12). Paul charges the young minister in the presence of God and Christ Jesus—who made his own public confession before Pontius Pilate (I Timothy 6:13)—to be a faithful minister, doing nothing to dishonor his calling until the Lord appears (I Timothy 6:14).
Paul praises God for his sovereignty: He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords (I Timothy 6:15). There is no one superior to him, no greater authority, no higher court of appeal. He is unique. God alone is immortal and lives in unapproachable light (I Timothy 6:16).
When trials and tribulations strike, remember that God is sovereign. When you think more highly of yourself than you ought, remember that God is sovereign. When your life hits rock bottom, remember that God is sovereign. The worst nightmare of the wicked is that God is sovereign. The overruling hope of the saint is that God is sovereign.
Instructions for the Rich (6:17-19)
Paul addresses those in the church who are rich in the present age, urging Timothy to instruct them "not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy" (I Timothy 6:17). To be rich means to have an abundance beyond your needs (food, clothes, and shelter). In gauging whether or not you are wealthy, then, don’t confuse wants with needs.
Paul highlights two threats or side effects of wealth without godliness. First, when you prioritize the material over the spiritual, you become arrogant and conceited—thinking more highly of yourself than others simply because you have more money than they. Thus, a dangerous potential side effect of wealth is pride.
A second threat or side effect is that you misplace your hope. If your hope is in the riches you possess “in the present age,” you have forgotten that money can’t deliver. “The uncertainty of wealth” means it cannot be depended upon, either in this age or the one to come. Instead, we must set our hope on God. We must not expect money to do what only God can. God richly provides us with all things to enjoy.
It is not a sin to be rich, but we must not let wealth blind us to the “great gain” of “godliness with contentment” (I Timothy 6:6). Riches were not meant to replace or compete with our trust in God and our pursuit of godliness. We must never lose sight of the fact that God is the only source of all that we enjoy and possess.
Instead, they should "do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life" (I Timothy 6:18-19). How can the rich safeguard their hearts? How does a Christian to whom God has given wealth position himself so that he is not taken captive by arrogance? Paul tells Timothy the antidote: Instruct them to do what is good (that is, to prioritize the pursuit of godliness), to be rich in good works (to let exceptional net worth be matched by exceptional service to benefit others), to be generous and willing to share (to acknowledge God as source and be characterized by generosity). Living with this perspective will result in treasure . . . for the coming age. Earthly wealth is uncertain no matter how hard you strive (I Timothy 6:17). Spiritual wealth, stored up through “godliness with contentment” (I Timothy 6:6), is guaranteed. With this heavenly mindset, you will experience great gain—you will take hold of what is truly life in the spiritual fulfillment that God gives and the future kingdom rewards earned.
Guard the Gospel (6:20-21)
Paul concludes by exhorting Timothy to "guard the deposit entrusted to you" (I Timothy 6:20). This refers to the ministry of the gospel and the sound doctrine that Paul had taught him. He warns Timothy to "avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called 'knowledge,' for by professing it some have swerved from the faith" (I Timothy 6:20-21). Embracing what is falsely called knowledge had caused some people, false teachers and those who followed them, to stray from the faith (see 1:3-4, 18-20). By avoiding things that are a waste of time—whatever has no basis in Scripture and no spiritual benefit—Timothy would keep himself and those he shepherded on the road to godliness.
Paul closes with a benediction: "Grace be with you" (I Timothy 6:21). As God’s grace was with Timothy, may it also be with you all.
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.
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.
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 evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
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 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, unrebukeable, 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.
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.
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. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.
I Timothy 6, the concluding chapter of Paul's first letter to Timothy, serves as a powerful capstone to the practical instructions given in the preceding chapters. Building upon the themes of godly living and the avoidance of temptation, Paul provides Timothy with vital guidance for both his personal conduct and the leadership of the church in Ephesus. This chapter addresses key issues such as the conduct of slaves, the dangers of false teaching, the right attitude towards wealth, and a final charge to Timothy to remain faithful. Understanding these principles is crucial for anyone seeking to live a life that honors God and impacts others for the sake of the Gospel. Let's dive in!
Instructions for Slaves (6:1-2)
Paul begins by addressing the conduct of slaves (or bondservants), a continuation of the discussion that began in I Timothy 5. He instructs them to show their masters respect, "so that God’s name and teaching may not be blasphemed" (I Timothy 6:1). Regardless of their circumstances, believers are called to maintain good Christian conduct. This serves as a powerful witness and makes it easier to influence others for God's sake.
For those slaves with believing masters, Paul urges them to serve all the more diligently, "because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dearly loved" (I Timothy 6:2). The bond between Christian brothers and sisters transcends earthly status. Both slave and master are sons and daughters of God in Christ (Galatians 3:26, 28). Therefore, service should be motivated by love and a desire to honor God. These principles are applicable to employer-employee relationships today, emphasizing respect, diligence, and mutual care.
The Danger of False Teachers (6:3-5)
Paul then turns his attention to the false teachers who were causing problems in the Ephesian church. He condemns their actions with strong words, highlighting the characteristics that often mark those who promote false doctrines. These individuals do not agree "with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness" (I Timothy 6:3).
Instead, they are "puffed up with conceit and understand nothing" (I Timothy 6:4). They are obsessed with controversy and disputes, leading to envy, strife, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among those who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain" (I Timothy 6:4-5). Their motivation for ministry is money. They see godliness as a way of material gain, a stark contrast to the true nature of Christian faith. Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus to specifically combat these false teachers (I Timothy 1:3-4).
Godliness with Contentment (6:6-10)
These verses address attitudes toward finances and godly living, demonstrating how closely connected these two areas are. Paul declares, "godliness with contentment is great gain" (I Timothy 6:6). While godliness should not be viewed as a means of material gain, it is, nevertheless, a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. Contentment is being at ease (inner sufficiency) where you are and being thankful for what you have. It doesn’t mean complacency; rather, it’s learning to be satisfied until God gives you more (see Philippians 4:11-13; Proverbs 30:8-9). Complaining is empirical proof of discontentment. But if you have contentment, you have inner sufficiency in spite of external circumstances. You have that which “is truly life” (I Timothy 6:19). A lack of contentment will stifle godliness, but content people know that God is acting on their behalf.
We brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out (I Timothy 6:7). Therefore, we should not accumulate stuff. If we have food and clothing, we should be content (I Timothy 6:8). Godliness with a full stomach, clothes on your back, and a roof over your head is enough for you to be content. Everything else is a bonus. Godly people are content with their needs being met (see Hebrews 13:5-6).
Paul warns against the pursuit of wealth as life's priority. "Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction" (I Timothy 6:9). The love of money, not money itself, is "a root of all kinds of evils" (I Timothy 6:10). When we prioritize growing our material lives while allowing our spiritual lives to decline, we demonstrate that we love money. This can lead to a craving for more and end in many griefs. King Solomon, once the wealthiest man in the world, said, “The one who loves silver is never satisfied with silver, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income” (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
Pursue Godliness (6:11-16)
Having spoken of the benefits of godliness and the dangers of greed, Paul tells Timothy to flee from these things (the pursuit of purpose in wealth) and pursue righteousness, godliness (surprise!), faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. We must do both: flee what harms and pursue what gives life. As the writer of Hebrews says, “Lay aside every hindrance . . . and run with endurance” (Hebrews 12:1). Leave sin behind and pursue spiritual development.
Paul exhorts Timothy to "fight the good fight of the faith" (I Timothy 6:12). He is to consider the life of faith as a good and worthwhile fight that he is to wage. In this fight, he must take hold of eternal life—not eternal salvation (for Timothy was already born again) but of the experiential knowledge of God through Christ. “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ” (John 17:3). It was to this that Timothy had been called and about which he had made a good confession: to grow in the knowledge of God and help others to do the same (I Timothy 6:12). Paul charges the young minister in the presence of God and Christ Jesus—who made his own public confession before Pontius Pilate (I Timothy 6:13)—to be a faithful minister, doing nothing to dishonor his calling until the Lord appears (I Timothy 6:14).
Paul praises God for his sovereignty: He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords (I Timothy 6:15). There is no one superior to him, no greater authority, no higher court of appeal. He is unique. God alone is immortal and lives in unapproachable light (I Timothy 6:16).
When trials and tribulations strike, remember that God is sovereign. When you think more highly of yourself than you ought, remember that God is sovereign. When your life hits rock bottom, remember that God is sovereign. The worst nightmare of the wicked is that God is sovereign. The overruling hope of the saint is that God is sovereign.
Instructions for the Rich (6:17-19)
Paul addresses those in the church who are rich in the present age, urging Timothy to instruct them "not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy" (I Timothy 6:17). To be rich means to have an abundance beyond your needs (food, clothes, and shelter). In gauging whether or not you are wealthy, then, don’t confuse wants with needs.
Paul highlights two threats or side effects of wealth without godliness. First, when you prioritize the material over the spiritual, you become arrogant and conceited—thinking more highly of yourself than others simply because you have more money than they. Thus, a dangerous potential side effect of wealth is pride.
A second threat or side effect is that you misplace your hope. If your hope is in the riches you possess “in the present age,” you have forgotten that money can’t deliver. “The uncertainty of wealth” means it cannot be depended upon, either in this age or the one to come. Instead, we must set our hope on God. We must not expect money to do what only God can. God richly provides us with all things to enjoy.
It is not a sin to be rich, but we must not let wealth blind us to the “great gain” of “godliness with contentment” (I Timothy 6:6). Riches were not meant to replace or compete with our trust in God and our pursuit of godliness. We must never lose sight of the fact that God is the only source of all that we enjoy and possess.
Instead, they should "do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life" (I Timothy 6:18-19). How can the rich safeguard their hearts? How does a Christian to whom God has given wealth position himself so that he is not taken captive by arrogance? Paul tells Timothy the antidote: Instruct them to do what is good (that is, to prioritize the pursuit of godliness), to be rich in good works (to let exceptional net worth be matched by exceptional service to benefit others), to be generous and willing to share (to acknowledge God as source and be characterized by generosity). Living with this perspective will result in treasure . . . for the coming age. Earthly wealth is uncertain no matter how hard you strive (I Timothy 6:17). Spiritual wealth, stored up through “godliness with contentment” (I Timothy 6:6), is guaranteed. With this heavenly mindset, you will experience great gain—you will take hold of what is truly life in the spiritual fulfillment that God gives and the future kingdom rewards earned.
Guard the Gospel (6:20-21)
Paul concludes by exhorting Timothy to "guard the deposit entrusted to you" (I Timothy 6:20). This refers to the ministry of the gospel and the sound doctrine that Paul had taught him. He warns Timothy to "avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called 'knowledge,' for by professing it some have swerved from the faith" (I Timothy 6:20-21). Embracing what is falsely called knowledge had caused some people, false teachers and those who followed them, to stray from the faith (see 1:3-4, 18-20). By avoiding things that are a waste of time—whatever has no basis in Scripture and no spiritual benefit—Timothy would keep himself and those he shepherded on the road to godliness.
Paul closes with a benediction: "Grace be with you" (I Timothy 6:21). As God’s grace was with Timothy, may it also be with you all.