The last chapter of 1 Timothy returns to the false teachers one final time and exposes their real motive: they thought godliness was a way to get rich. Paul answers with some of the most quoted words in the Bible about money, contentment and eternal life, and then turns to Timothy with a soldier’s charge: flee these things, follow after righteousness, fight the good fight of faith, and keep what has been entrusted to you until the appearing of the King of kings, who only hath immortality.
A study in 1 Timothy 6 · Arthur Baldwin · StandUp4Jesus.Org · 18 min read
That The Name Of God Be Not Blasphemed
“Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And 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 the benefit. These things teach and exhort.”
1 Timothy 6:1-2
As in Ephesians and Colossians, Paul addresses Christian slaves. His concern is the reputation of the gospel. A believing slave who was lazy or disrespectful would give outsiders reason to mock “the name of God and his doctrine.” And slaves whose masters were fellow believers were not to take advantage of that brotherhood, but to serve them all the better. The gospel planted a seed that would eventually undermine slavery itself: master and slave were now “brethren” (see the study of Colossians 4, and the story of Onesimus).
Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain
“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”
1 Timothy 6:3-5
Here the false teachers are unmasked. They were proud, obsessed with arguments over words, and they left a trail of envy, quarrels, insults and suspicion behind them. And underneath it all was money: they supposed “that gain is godliness,” treating religion as a business. The pattern has never gone away.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
1 Timothy 6:6-8
Paul takes their slogan and turns it right side up. Godliness is gain — not because it makes you rich, but because, joined with contentment, it makes you free. We arrived with empty hands, and we will leave with empty hands. Between those two moments, food and clothing are enough for a heart that has God. Paul had learned this himself: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11; see the study of Philippians 4).
The Love Of Money
“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
1 Timothy 6:9-10
This verse is often misquoted as “money is the root of all evil.” Paul does not say that. Money is a tool. It is the love of money that is the root — and the warning is aimed at “they that will be rich,” those whose heart is set on getting it. Look at the progression: temptation, a snare, foolish desires, and finally drowning “in destruction and perdition.” Along the way, some “erred from the faith.” Greed rarely announces itself as a departure from God. It simply crowds Him out.
“This record teaches an important lesson. ‘The love of money is the root of all evil.’ 1 Timothy 6:10. In this generation the desire for gain is the absorbing passion. Wealth is often obtained by fraud. There are multitudes struggling with poverty, compelled to labor hard for small wages, unable to secure even the barest necessities of life.”
Ellen G. White · Prophets and Kings, p. 650
Fight The Good Fight Of Faith
“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:”
1 Timothy 6:11-14
“But thou, O man of God.” The title once given to Moses and Elijah is now given to a young pastor. And Paul gives him two commands, one to run and one to stand. Flee the love of money and everything that goes with it. Follow after six graces: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Then fight. “Fight the good fight” is the language of the athletic contest, the agony of the struggle for the prize. And the prize is “eternal life,” which Timothy is to “lay hold on” as someone grabs a thing he will not let go.
“It is not God’s will that His ministers should seek to be rich. Regarding this, Paul wrote to Timothy: ‘The love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.’”
Ellen G. White · The Acts of the Apostles, p. 366, 367
Timothy has a model for faithfulness under pressure: Christ Jesus, “who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession.” With His life on the line, Jesus did not deny who He was. And Timothy’s faithfulness has a finish line: “until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Once again a letter of Paul’s looks toward the second coming.
Who Only Hath Immortality
“Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.”
1 Timothy 6:15-16
The thought of Christ’s appearing lifts Paul into worship, as it did in chapter 1. And in the middle of this doxology stands a statement of great importance: God “only hath immortality.” Immortality is not something every human soul possesses by nature. God alone has it in Himself. It is not ours to claim; it is His to give.
That is why Scripture always speaks of immortality as something believers receive — and receive at a particular time. At the resurrection, “this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53). Until then, those who die in Christ are asleep, as the study of 1 Thessalonians 4 showed. And those who finally reject Christ do not live forever in torment; they perish (see the study of 2 Thessalonians 1).
“Immortality, promised to man on condition of obedience, had been forfeited by transgression. Adam could not transmit to his posterity that which he did not possess; and there could have been no hope for the fallen race had not God, by the sacrifice of His Son, brought immortality within their reach. … And only through Christ can immortality be obtained.”
Ellen G. White · The Great Controversy, p. 533
Rich In Good Works
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Paul has warned those who want to be rich. Now he speaks to those who already are. He does not tell them to give everything away. He tells them three things. Don’t be proud; wealth does not make you better than anyone. Don’t trust it; riches are “uncertain,” here today and gone tomorrow, while God is “living.” And use it: be “rich in good works,” generous and ready to share. Money given for God’s purposes is not lost. It is sent ahead.
“‘Charge them that are rich in this world, … that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.’ 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Then let your property go beforehand to heaven. Lay up your treasures beside the throne of God. Make sure your title to the unsearchable riches of Christ.”
Ellen G. White · Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 374
“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.”
1 Timothy 6:20-21
The letter ends with a personal cry: “O Timothy.” Guard the deposit. The gospel has been entrusted to you like a treasure left in safekeeping; don’t lose it, and don’t trade it for the “oppositions of science falsely so called.” The word “science” here means knowledge; the false teachers claimed a superior knowledge that contradicted the faith. In every age, including our own, theories presented as knowledge have been set against the word of God.
“God has permitted a flood of light to be poured upon the world in discoveries in science and art; but even the greatest minds, if not guided by the word of God in their research, become bewildered in their attempts to investigate the relations of science and revelation. … Many accept mere theories and speculations as scientific facts, and they think that God’s word is to be tested by the teachings of ‘science falsely so called.’ 1 Timothy 6:20.”
Ellen G. White · The Great Controversy, p. 522
That is the whole of 1 Timothy. It was written to a young pastor in a troubled church, and it gave him everything he needed: the gospel that saves the chief of sinners; the one Mediator between God and men; the character required of those who lead; the great mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh; warnings against a false holiness and a false gain; care for every member of God’s household; and a soldier’s charge to fight the good fight of faith until the appearing of the King of kings, who only hath immortality. A few years later Paul would write to Timothy again, for the last time, from a Roman prison. That letter is next.
