The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy

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- Chapter 6 -

(Ephesians 6:5–9; Colossians 3:22–25)

Whoever are servants under the yoke, let them consider their masters to be worthy of every honor, lest the name and doctrine of the Lord be blasphemed.

But those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather serve them all the more because they are believing and beloved, participants of the same service. Teach and exhort these things.

Reject False Doctrines

If anyone teaches otherwise, and does not consent to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to that doctrine which is in accord with piety,

then he is arrogant, knowing nothing, yet languishing amid the questions and quarrels of words. From these arise envy, contention, blasphemy, evil suspicions:

the conflicts of men who have been corrupted in mind and deprived of truth, who consider profit to be piety.

Godliness with Contentment

But piety with sufficiency is great gain.

For we brought nothing into this world, and there is no doubt that we can take nothing away.

But, having nourishment and some kind of covering, we should be content with these.

For those who want to become rich fall into temptation and into the snare of the devil and into many useless and harmful desires, which submerge men in destruction and in perdition.

For desire is the root of all evils. Some persons, hungering in this way, have strayed from the faith and have entangled themselves in many sorrows.

Fight the Good Fight

But you, O man of God, flee from these things, and truly pursue justice, piety, faith, charity, patience, meekness.

Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you have been called, and make a good profession of faith in the sight of many witnesses.

I charge you, in the sight of God, who enlivens all things, and in the sight of Christ Jesus, who gave the testimony of a good profession under Pontius Pilate,

to observe the commandment, immaculately, irreproachably, unto the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For at the proper time, he shall reveal the blessed and only Power, the King of kings and the Lord of lords,

who alone holds immortality, and who inhabits the inaccessible light, whom no man has seen, nor even is able to see, to whom is honor and everlasting dominion. Amen.

A Charge to the Rich

(Proverbs 23:1–5; James 5:1–6)

Instruct the wealthy of this age not to have a superior attitude, nor to hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, who offers us everything in abundance to enjoy,

and to do good, to become rich in good works, to donate readily, to share,

to gather for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may obtain true life.

Guard the Faith

O Timothy, guard what has been deposited with you, avoiding the voice of profane novelties and of opposing ideas, which are falsely called knowledge.

Certain persons, promising these things, have perished from the faith. May grace be with you. Amen.

(Ephesians 6:5–9; Colossians 3:22–25)

Let 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.

Those 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.

Reject False Doctrines

If 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,

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

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

Godliness with Contentment

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.

But 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.

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.

Fight the Good Fight

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

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.

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

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

which at the right time he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

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

A Charge to the Rich

(Proverbs 23:1–5; James 5:1–6)

Charge those who are rich in this present age 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.

Guard the Faith

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

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

Footnotes

(a)6:5 NU omits “Withdraw yourself from such.”