1 Timothy 6 -
Enduring Word Commentary
6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves.
Paul addresses how slaves should treat their masters. Paul commanded them to respect their masters so that Christianity would not come under ill repute. If a slave has a master who is a Christian, they should not only not disrespect them but serve them better because they are a brother in Christ. This shows us that Christians were slave masters at this time in history.
The slavery in Jesus and Paul's day was different than the African slavery in our 20th century.
All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare[a] of their slaves.
Jesus, Paul and others in the New Testament did not call for a violent revolution against the institution of slavery (which perhaps, humanly speaking, might have failed miserably). Yet through the transformation brought by the gospel, they did effectively destroy the foundations of slavery – racism, greed, class hatred – and made a civilization without slavery possible.
False Teachers and the Love of Money
These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
Note that the core of teaching is the "sound instruction of Jesus Christ". Jesus taught on many occasions. We don't need to add to what Jesus taught. While the apostles penned letters, they were always in alignment with what Jesus taught. There were people in the church who were getting involved in needless controversies that became a huge distraction to the church.
The same thing can happen today in the church when people get on their "soapbox", or put forth "conspiracy theories", which aren't provable and not biblically based. If Satan can't take us down the route of sin, he will get us to focus on everything but the gospel. If something is not easily deduced from the bible, there is a good chance it is not integral to the mission of the church. If only those with a master's degree can understand an issue being discussed, then it probably is not mission critical.
There was a book written that became popular, "All I Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.", by Robert Fulghum.
All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum has sold more than seven million copies worldwide. The book was a phenomenal #1 New York Times bestseller and has been published in 27 languages across 103 countries.
The book's central message is that the most significant wisdom often comes from the simplest, everyday instructions. Fulghum contends that society would greatly improve if adults universally applied the basic, common-sense rules learned in kindergarten, which address aspects of life from hygiene and ecology to politics and how we interact with one another." (Google AI)
I think I could write a book, "All I Needed to Know I Learned from Jesus!"
Jesus taught me who God is and how to have a right relationship with Him. He taught me how to live my life to make a difference which will have an eternal impact. He taught me about how to have real relationships with people, and how to treat others who are different than me. He taught me how to forgive. How to pray. How to use the gifts I have been given. He taught me what heaven looks like and it what it means to bring heaven to earth. He taught why I have to give up my life to find it. He taught me to be wary of riches and sexual immorality. He taught me how not to worry, to receive the peace He gives which surpasses understanding. And much more.
Do I really need anything else? Am I not going deep enough?
If I put all these things into practice, I think I would have a pretty good life and make an impact in the world I live in.
Don't get caught up in lots of arguments that will never be won and only create friction and division in your church and personal life?
A good question to ask yourself is, "Is this conversation going to lead people closer to Christ, or push them away?
If we spent more time doing the things we know Jesus taught to do and less time in things that were unclear or not even mentioned by him, do you think we would be more or less productive?
When we argue and fight over the things the world argues and fights about, no one will want to join us? People get enough of that in the world and when they turn on Fox or CNN.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Contentment is something not a lot of people have in our world. Contentment comes when we realize what we have is enough. What test does Paul use for what qualifies for enough? If you have food and clothing that is enough. The danger of pursuing riches is that no matter how rich you are, it will never be enough.
Notice Paul doesn't say money is evil, but the "love of money", which is the root of all kinds of evil. There are many wealthy Christians who don't "love money" and use if for the glory of God. I personally think God blesses those who use money wisely and gives them more to invest in His kingdom.
Final Charge to Timothy
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
Paul calls Timothy a "man of God". What a great thing to call someone. Being a man of God means having nothing to do with all of the things Paul just mentioned. In fact, Paul tells him to "flee" from these things.
Paul tells him to "take hold of eternal life." What does it mean to take hold of eternal life?
When we are fighting the good fight of faith, we need to always hang on to the fact that this world is not our home. Our citizenship is in heaven. Philippians 3:20. Hanging on to eternal life is to remember that the suffering in this present world is not worthy to be compared to the glory we will receive in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:18
Paul tells Timothy to fight the good fight of faith until Jesus appears once again like a thief in the night. Then Paul ends in a crescendo extolling the many attributes of God with a flurry. God is ...
1. The blessed and only Ruler.
2. The King of kings.
3. The Lord of lords.
4. Who alone is immortal.
5. Who lives in unapproachable light.
6. Whom no one has seen or can see.
While some of these titles are applicable to Jesus, Paul is referring to God the Father!
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.
Grace be with you all.
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