THE FIRST EPISTLE
OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO
TIMOTHY

1 Timothy 6

1The duty of servants. 3Those who teach not according to the apostle's doctrine are to be avoided, as corrupters of Christianity. 6The gain of godliness with content. 9The evil of covetousness. 11What Timothy is to flee, and what to follow and perform. 17A charge to the rich not to be proud and confident in their riches, but to be beneficent and liberal. 20Timothy is enjoined to adhere to the true faith, and to shun profane and vain controversies.


1LET as many servantsa as are under 1the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be 2not blasphemed.

a Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22; Titus 2:9; 1 Peter 2:18.

1 That is, slavery or servitude, which is called a yoke because of the heaviness and burdensomeness of it in those times.

2 Namely, as if the christian religion withdrew the servants or slaves from their masters, under the pretense of christian liberty, or released them from their obedience against their masters’ will.

2And 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 3the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

3 Namely, of the redemption purchased by Christ. Others understand this of the benefit which the servants may again expect from their masters, who, when they are believers, will not neglect to reward their servants’ faithful service with the like care and benefit; and translate it: who shall again accept or recompense this well doing.

3If any man teach 4otherwise, and consent 5not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

4 Namely, different from what I have taught.

5 Gr. cometh not to wholesome words, that is, does not keep oneself close to them.

4He is proud, 6knowing nothing, but 7doting about questions and strifes of words, whereofb cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

6 Namely, although he accounts himself wise, or would gladly be accounted wise.

7 Gr. is sick, or diseased, namely, in his wits or understanding, as fanatic persons and deceptive teachers commonly are, who esteem the simple doctrine of godliness very little, and therefore seek to make a show of higher speculations or new doctrines for the congregation, whom the apostle declares to be unsound in their understanding, because they reject or pass by sound doctrine.

b 1 Tim. 1:4; 2 Tim. 2:23; Titus 3:9.

58Perversec disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing 9that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

8 Or, exercises, meddlesomeness, wherewith they do, as it were, wear out their own and other men’s minds, without any solid profit accruing unto true faith and sincere godliness from such quarrels or squabbles.

c 1 Cor. 11:16.

9 That is, serves only to seek worldly honor or gain thereby, as deceiving teachers are wont to do amongst their disciples, where one with new opinions, speculations, and disputes seeks to draw the other disciples to himself.

6Butd godliness with 10contentment 11is great gain.

d Prov. 15:16; Heb. 13:5.

10 That is, with a mind that has enough, and is content with what the Lord affords him, which contentment itself also springs out of godliness. For, he, who has Christ, he has all things with Him.

11 That is, the greatest gain lies in godliness itself, seeing it has the promise of the present life and that to come, as he speaks in 1 Tim. 4:8.

7Fore we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

e Job 1:21; 27:19; Psalm 49:17.

8Andf having food and raiment letg us be therewith 12content.

f Prov. 27:16.

g Psalm 55:22; Mat. 6:25; 1 Peter 5:7.

12 That is, without seeking covetously after other riches.

9Buth they that will be 13rich fall into temptation and 14a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

h Prov. 11:28; Mat. 13:22; James 5:1.

13 That is, trouble their minds too much with it, or with too great eagerness seek to be rich.

14 Namely, of the devil, who, through this greedy desire of becoming rich, tempts them to many unlawful practices, and ties them fast to the world as with a snare. See Mat. 6:24.

10Fori15the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred 16from the faith, and pierced themselves through 17with many sorrows.

i Exod. 23:8; Deut. 16:19; Prov. 15:16.

15 Or, the covetousness of money.

16 That is, from the sound doctrine of faith.

17 That is, procured many troubles to their souls with fear and care to gather them, and when they are gathered, to keep them. This is why Christ also compares them to thorns, Mat. 13:22, which wound the people, and choke the good seed.

11Butj thou, 18O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

j 2 Tim. 2:22.

18 The Scripture calls such who are governed by the Spirit of God, and in particular the faithful prophets and teachers. See 2 Kings 1:9, etc.; 2 Tim. 3:17.

12Fightk the good 19fight of faith, 20lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed 21a good profession before many witnesses.

k 1 Tim. 1:18.

19 That is, bestir thee with all diligence, not only in preaching the Word of faith, but also in the exercise according to the same, 2 Tim. 4:7.

20 A similitude taken from those who run for a prize, and, while running, stretch forth their hands to lay hold of when they come near the end. See 1 Cor. 9:24; Philip. 3:13, 14.

21 Namely, that you would faithfully serve Christ, when you were chosen by me to be an evangelist in the presence of the elders. See 1 Tim. 4:14.

13 Il give thee charge in the sight of God, whom22quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, 23whon before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

l 1 Tim. 5:21.

m Deut. 32:39; 1 Sam. 2:6.

22 That is, preserves, and gives life to everything that has life, Acts 17:25, yes even raises to life what is already dead, which Paul adds here to strengthen Timothy against all danger of death.

23 Or, who under. See hereof John 18:37, etc.

n Mat. 27:11; John 18:37.

14That thou keep this 24commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

24 That is, these commandments, which I have given you up till now, keep them yourself, and command others to keep as well.

15Which in his times he shall 25shew, who is theo blessed and 26only Potentate,p theq King of kings, and Lord of lords;

25 That is, shall bring forth out of heaven to judge the quick and the dead.

o 1 Tim. 1:17.

26 Also God the Father is called only wise in 1 Tim. 1:17, and only good in Mat. 19:17, and in the following verse is said only hath immortality, because only He has them from Himself and perfectly. The apostle speaks thus here, not to exclude Christ, to Whom these titles are also given, Rev. 1:8; 19:16, and elsewhere, but so to distinguish God from all creatures, and to show that we have no need to fear any power in the world which is against us, when we faithfully execute our calling, and consequently have God on our side, Who shall one day judge all by Christ. See also John 17:3.

p a person with great power; king, ruler, sovereign

q Rev. 17:14; 19:16.

16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the 27light which no man can approach unto; whomr no man hath 28seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

27 That is, possesses perfection and glory in Himself, which none can comprehend, as the word light is also taken, 1 John 1:5, etc.

r Exod. 33:20; Deut. 4:12; 1 John 4:12.

28 Namely, with the eye of the body, seeing He has a spiritual Essence, as He is therefore also called invisible, 1 Tim. 1:17. See also John 1:18 and 1 John 4:20.

17Charge them that are rich in this 29world, that they be not highminded,s nort trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly 30all things 31to enjoy;

29 Gr. age.

s puffed up with pride

t Mark 4:18; Luke 8:14.

30 Even then the riches also.

31 Gr. for enjoyment. Namely, with thankfulness and moderation. See Deut. 8:10, etc.

18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to 32communicate;

32 This virtue of communicativeness is contrasted to the harshness and hardheartedness of some rich men, who despise the little ones and the poor, and will not so much as speak with them. Others take it for a communicativeness, willingly to afford all friendship and help unto others, as communicating, which goes before, concerning goods only. See Gal. 6:6; Heb. 13:16.

19Layingu up in store for themselves 33a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

u Mat. 6:20; Luke 12:33; 16:9.

33 Namely, of hope. Not that the liberality of the rich merits this, but because it is a fruit of faith, and God has, of grace, promised to reward the same for Christ’s sake. See Heb. 13:21 and 1 Peter 2:5.

20O Timothy, keep 34that which is committed to thy trust, avoidingv35profane and vain babblings, and 36oppositions of science falsely so called:

34 That is, the sound doctrine of faith, which is as a pledge given thee to keep, to employ the same well, and also to give it to others to keep.

v 1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7; 2 Tim. 2:16; Titus 1:14; 3:9.

35 Gr. unholy vain babblings; whereby the apostle again understands the subtle squabbles of deceiving teachers, which were urged by them with great vehemence and clamor without edification.

36 Namely, against sound doctrine, as well as even against one another also in matters upon which salvation does not depend, even as deceiving teachers are wont to lapse from one vain question into another.

21Which some 37professing have 38erred 39concerning the faith. 40Grace be with thee. Amen.

37 That is, making profession or confession thereof, and giving themselves out for such.

38 Or, missed, as one who missed the mark at which he seemed to aim. For, this often happens to such people, that by their acuteness and vain wisdom they lapse from the true wisdom. See 2 Tim. 2:18.

39 That is, from the sound doctrine of faith, as in verse 10.

40 See the conclusion of the other epistles about this place.