SSL 6 - 1 Tim. 6:6-19
LAST WEEK: In 1 Tim. 5:1-8, 17-21 we covered Paul's instructions to Timothy regarding the treatment of certain groups within the church and discussed five areas of application: (1) When it is necessary to correct church people, do so respectfully and honorably, and consider their age, responsibility, and gender. The tendency to overlook these things and not deal with them will hurt the witness of a church. (2) Even in this day and time, the church can be obligated to help meet the material needs of a member. In Timothy's day, older widows were the most vulnerable group, but today it might include men or women who have fallen on hard times, and not necessarily limited to an older age group. (3) A person devoting time and effort to a pastoral ministry-lead pastor, youth, children's ministry-either permanently or temporarily, is entitled to receive fair compensation from the church. And they shouldn't have to ask for it. (4) Accusations against "elders"-pastoral staff and deacons today-should be carefully handled with due-process. The means there must be an investigation of the facts in which the alleged wrongdoing of the "elder" is substantiated by two or more credible witnesses. (5) A church that fails to apply discipline to clearly proven sin in its leadership will get itself into trouble. This instruction goes a step further than the correction measures discussed in Truth 1, above, and concerns the application of discipline to a person in a church leadership role who, after due process has been followed, has been found guilty of sinful conduct on a continuing basis.
THIS WEEK: In the first five verses, Paul returns to the theme of warnings against false teachers, concluding in v. 5, they are sinful men who operate under the false standard that "godliness is a means of gain " (v. 5b); in other words, a way for these make-believe Christian "teachers" to make money and achieve influence over unsuspecting Christians-predators. Most of us can probably cite examples of TV and other types of ministries operating under a Christian label that were exposed as corrupt. In today's lesson, 1 Tim. 6:6-19, Paul contradicts the false teachers by instructing Timothy with the correct Christian perspective on money and accumulating wealth.
Read 1 Tim. 6:6-10 - GODLINESS IS GREAT GAIN
6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
v. 6: "But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment" - In this verse, Paul disproves the attitude of the false teachers in v. 5 who saw godliness is a way to make money, to enrich themselves by association with the Gospel. The word "godliness" (Gk. eusebeia ) means devotion and reverence that's visible outwardly to the ordinary observer-it shows in our speech, actions, and everything we do. The word "contentment" (Gk. autarkeia) conveys a sense of inward peace and assurance. The person who possesses autarkeia is content with life as he or she finds it. This isn't a person who lacks ambition or has no goals in life, but someone having an inner sense of security that makes it possible to proceed through life without fear. Earlier, Paul said: "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? " Rom. 8:31.
v. 7: "For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either" - These two facts-that we started with nothing and will end with nothing-should offer a sobering perspective to a materialistic person, but to the person of faith, it simply reminds us that we were dependent on God in the beginning and will be equally dependent on Him in the end. Moreover, as people of faith feel dependent on God in the midst of life, they can be at peace about the end.
v. 8: "If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content" - This is a tough one. Paul is saying that if we have only the basic, daily necessities of life, food and clothing, we should be content. This verse highlights the contrast between "needs" and "wants." That is not to say that we should not want other things: a roof over our head, an education, a good job, and other conveniences in life, yet we should not see them as deserved but be grateful to God when He provides them.
v. 9: "But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harm-ful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction" - What Paul is condemning here is the sheer desire to be rich, as opposed to owning material things that can be used for the glory of God. Paul cites three reasons: (1) fall into temptation: the desire to get rich can become such an obsession that a person will do whatever it takes to acquire wealth, even by dishonest or unlawful means; (2) a snare: this has a double meaning-a person becomes trapped into doing things he shouldn't be doing and at the same time is being kept from the things he should be doing; and (3) ruin and destruction: this is where the desire ultimately leads him-destruction of one's personal relationships, spiritual health, physical health, and even premature death.
v. 10: "For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs" - The first phrase, "love of money is a root of all sorts of evil," is either original with Paul or an old proverb he was quoting. Paul's concern is motivated by the v. 5 types who see godliness "as a means of gain," people whose true god is money. The phrase, "pierced themselves with many griefs," brings to mind the cliché "to fall on your sword," and expresses the idea of inflicting mortal damage on yourself on purpose or by accident. It pictures someone who could have taken the straight and narrow path that leads to life but chose instead to take the wide and easy path that leads to destruction. See, Mt. 7:13-14.
TRUTH 1: According to Paul's teachings, we should content in our lives as long as we have the bare necessities-food and clothing. This verse highlights the huge difference between our "needs" and our "wants." That doesn't mean we should never want other things like a roof over our head, an education, or a decent-paying job, but we shouldn't see them as things we're automatically entitled to, but be genuinely grateful to God if and when He provides them.
1 Tim. 6:11-16 - FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH
11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,14 that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will bring about at the proper time-He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
v. 11: "But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness" - Reminding Timothy he's a man of God, Paul tells him he must flee these things-temptations, snares, love of money-and instead pursue: (1) righteousness: not the imputed righteousness of Christ but holy living in general; (2) godliness: very simply this is holy living observable to others, something seen; (3) faith: a positive response to the Gospel; (4) love (agapé): sacrificial love that benefits others; (5) perseverance: endurance in adversity; and (6) gentleness: a peaceable spirit and disposition that comes from deep faith that God is in control.
v. 12: "Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses" - Fighting the good fight of faith involves both of the actions of v. 11-fleeing from sin and pursuing godly virtues. Using the phrase, "take hold of eternal life," Paul is saying you have won the prize (eternal salvation), so now you can claim its benefits in the here and now-eternal living. In regard to his "good confession..." Paul is reminding Timothy that he is now to live out the faith that he originally confessed before others.
TRUTH 2: Fighting the good fight of faith motivates us to run in two different directions at once. It involves running away fleeing temptation, snares, and love of money and running toward godly virtues-godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
v. 13: "I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate," - Paul summons his full authority as an apostle here, commanding rather then imploring-reminding him that God is present in their midst, the same God that created and gives life to all things. And he adds to that, the presence of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession before Pontius Pilate when He said, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." John 18:37.
TRUTH 3: As Paul reminded Timothy, being "faithful to our calling" means that we must remain as committed to and live in the central truths of the Christian faith as on the day we made our confession of faith in Jesus Christ. We all need to live out the faith we originally confessed publically (at our baptism). Do you remember how felt that day-the joy of becoming a child of God?
v. 14: "that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ" - Paul doesn't specify which commandment, but he's clearly telling Timothy to remain faithful to his calling and to the central truths of the Christian faith, without doing anything to compromise his witness, until Jesus comes again.
vv. 15-16: "which He will bring about at the proper time-He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen." - For the time Jesus will come, Paul uses the Greek word kairos, which denotes not just any time but a special and momentous time. The Paul next proceeds with a doxology-a short poetic praise of god. These attributes-blessed, only sovereign, Lord of Lords-seem to refer to God the Father and Jesus Christ. The word "immortality" (Gk. athanasian) literally means without death. We are born mortal but "put on" Jesus Immortality when He saves us. The "unapproachable light" alludes to Moses' encounter with God on Mt. Sinai in Ex. 24:17 where the appearance of the glory of Yahweh was like "a devouring fire." At the end, Paul emphasizes God's power instead of His glory.
Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19 - CHARGE THE RICH NOT TO BE HAUGHTY
17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
v. 17: "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy" - Paul returns to the topic of wealth. It's a sad but true fact that many wealthy people consider their good fortune to be something they deserve and see other, less fortunate, as second-rate. The word "conceited" (Gk. hupselophroneo) literally means "puffed-up"-arrogant and swollen with pride. This is distinct from "self-respect," which is someone who feels secure and positive about life, yet doesn't hold a low opinion of those around him. He simply feels good about himself, not better than his fellow man. A lot of people discovered the "uncertainty of riches" in 2008 when, overnight, their retirement plans plum-meted in value or the dream home they financed with a sub-prime mortgage ended-up in foreclosure.
v. 18: "Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share" - If person of wealth makes God, rather than riches, the center of his/her life, they are in a unique position to use their wealth to "do good" and make themselves "rich in good works" (e.g., a private foundation like the American Bible Society). The phrase be "generous " (Gk. eumetadotos) "and ready to share," imparts a feeling of spontaneous and exuberant generosity toward others, especially those in need-the type of person willing to give someone "the shirt off his back."
v. 19: "storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed" - Paul echoes Jesus' words in Mt. 6:20-21: "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." We humans have the regrettable tendency to trust our resources rather than God's resources. But worldly resources can't save anyone-only salvation by faith, the greatest heavenly treasure, which Jesus died to give us.
TRUTH 4: Achieving financial success and amassing wealth is not in of itself a sin. But the wrong attitude towards it can certainly be. If you think that you deserved it in the first place and that having it makes you better than those who don't, then you have allowed money to become the god of your life. On the other hand, if a wealthy person keeps God, rather than riches, at the center of his/her life, they are in a unique position to use their wealth to "do good" and make themselves "rich in good works."
