The Bible — World English Bible

1 Timothy 6

In brief

In this last chapter of the first letter to Timothy, Paul gives practical instructions to a young church leader. He speaks about respect at work, warns against false teachers and praises godliness with contentment. He then warns of the dangers of the desire to get rich, calls Timothy to fight the good fight of faith, and gives advice to the rich. He ends with a call to faithfully guard what has been entrusted to him.

The chapter in 6 parts

  1. v. 1-2The witness of servants toward their masters
  2. v. 3-5False teachers and their quarrels
  3. v. 6-10Godliness with contentment and the trap of money
  4. v. 11-16Fight the good fight of faith
  5. v. 17-19The rich: hope in God and be generous
  6. v. 20-21Guard what has been entrusted

1Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed.

2Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

3If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness,

4he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions,

5constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such.

6But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out.

8But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.

9But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.

10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

12Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.

13I command you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession,

14that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

16He alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.

17Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;

18that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share;

19laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.

20Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge,

21which some profess, and thus have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

Key verses

Verse 6-8
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Paul joins godliness and contentment: what we own does not follow us into death, and food and clothing are enough. He does not condemn work or possessions, he invites us to inner freedom toward them.

Verse 10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The verse does not say that money is the root of all evil, but that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, which can lead people away from the faith. The danger lies in the heart's attachment.

Verse 12
Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.

The Christian life is presented as a fight of faith. It is not about fighting other people but about holding firm in the call to eternal life, received before many witnesses.

Verse 16
He alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.

Paul speaks of God's greatness, who lives in unapproachable light. This statement reminds us that people cannot reach God by their own strength, which is why Jesus Christ matters so much.

Verse 17-19
Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.

The rich are not condemned: they are called not to set their hope on uncertain wealth but on God, and to be generous. Generosity becomes a treasure for the future.

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What the sermons say

Frequently asked questions about 1 Timothy 6

What does “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” mean?

Verse 10 does not condemn money itself but the love of money, that is, the attachment of the heart. Paul explains that some, driven by this desire, have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. The Bible invites us to manage our possessions wisely, without making them a master.

What does 1 Timothy 6 say about the rich?

In verses 17 to 19, Paul does not ask them to give up their possessions. He tells them not to be arrogant, not to set their hope on uncertain riches but on God, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share.

What is the main message of 1 Timothy 6?

Paul reminds Timothy that true wealth is godliness with contentment. He urges him to flee the love of money and fruitless quarrels, to fight the good fight of faith and to stay faithful until the return of Christ.

Articles quoting 1 Timothy 6

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World English Bible translation — public domain.