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6:1 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.
6:2 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.
6:3 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; 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting
about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife,
railings, evil surmisings, 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt
minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness:
from such withdraw thyself.
6:6 But godliness with
contentment is great gain.
6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can
carry nothing out.
6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
6:9 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.
6:10 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.
6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
6:12 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.
6:13 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; 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot,
unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 6:15 Which
in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the
King of kings, and Lord of lords; 6:16 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.
6:17 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; 6:18 That they do good, that
they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to
communicate; 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good
foundation
against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding
profane and vain babblings, and
oppositions of science falsely so
called: 6:21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith.
Grace be with thee.
Amen.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
1 Timothy
Book: 1 Timothy
Chapter: 6
Overview:
The duty of Christians towards believing, as
Well as other
masters.
(1-5) The advantage of
Godliness with
Contentment.
(6-10) A solemn charge to
Timothy to be
Faithful.
(11-16) The
Apostle repeats his warning to the rich, and closes with a
blessing.
(17-21)
1-5 Christians were not to suppose that religious knowledge, or
Christian privileges, gave them any right to despise
Heathen
masters, or to disobey lawful commands, or to expose their
faults to others. And such as enjoyed the privilege of living
with believing masters, were not to withhold due respect and
reverence, because they were equal in respect to religious
privileges, but were to serve with double diligence and
cheerfulness, because of their
Faith in
Christ, and as partakers
of his free
Salvation. We are not to consent to any words as
wholesome, except the words of our
Lord Jesus Christ; to these
we must give unfeigned consent. Commonly those are most proud
who know least; for they do not know themselves. Hence come
envy, strife, railings, evil-surmisings, disputes that are all
subtlety, and of
No solidity, between men of corrupt and
Carnal
minds, ignorant of the
Truth and its sanctifying power, and
seeking their worldly advantage.
6-10 Those that make a trade of Christianity to serve their
turn for this world, will be disappointed; but those who mind it
as their
Calling, will find it has the promise of the
Life that
now is, as
Well as of that which is to come. He that is godly,
is sure to be happy in another world; and if contented with his
condition in this world, he has enough; and all truly godly
people are content. When brought into the greatest straits, we
cannot be poorer than when we came into this world; a shroud, a
Coffin, and a
Grave, are all that the richest
Man in the world
can have from all his wealth. If nature should be content with a
little,
Grace should be content with less. The necessaries of
Life bound a true
Christian's desires, and with these he will
endeavour to be content. We see here the evil of
Covetousness.
It is not said, they that are rich, but they will be rich; who
place their happiness in wealth, and are eager and determined in
the pursuit. Those that are such, give to
Satan the opportunity
of tempting them, leading them to use dishonest means, and other
bad practices, to add to their gains. Also, leading into
So many
employments, and such a hurry of business, as leave
No time or
inclination for spiritual religion; leading to connections that
draw into
Sin and folly. What sins will not men be drawn into
By
the
Love of
Money! People may have
Money, and yet not
Love it;
but if they
Love it, this will push them
On to all evil. Every
sort of wickedness and vice, in one way or another, grows from
the
Love of
Money. We cannot look around without perceiving many
proofs of this, especially in a
Day of outward prosperity, great
expenses, and loose profession.
11-16 It ill becomes any men, but especially men of
God, to set
their hearts upon the things of this world; men of
God should be
taken up with the things of
God. There must be a conflict with
corruption, and temptations, and the powers of
Darkness. Eternal
Life is the
Crown proposed for our encouragement. We are called
to lay
Hold thereon. To the rich must especially be pointed out
their dangers and duties, as to the proper use of wealth. But
who can give such a charge, that is not himself above the
Love
of things that wealth can buy? The appearing of
Christ is
certain, but it is not for us to know the time. Mortal eyes
cannot
Bear the brightness of the Divine
Glory. None can
approach him except as he is made known unto sinners in and
By
Christ. The
Godhead is here adored without distinction of
Persons, as all these things are properly spoken, whether of the
Father, the Son, or the
Holy Ghost.
God is revealed to us, only
in and through the human nature of
Christ, as the only begotten
Son of the
Father.
17-21 Being rich in this world is wholly different from being
rich towards
God. Nothing is more uncertain than worldly wealth.
Those who are rich, must see that
God gives them their riches;
and he only can give to enjoy them richly; for many have riches,
but enjoy them poorly, not having a
Heart to use them. What is
the best estate worth, more than as it gives opportunity of
doing the more good? Showing
Faith in
Christ By fruits of
Love,
let us lay
Hold On eternal
Life, when the self-indulgent,
covetous, and ungodly around, lift up their eyes in
Torment.
That learning which opposes the
Truth of the
Gospel, is not true
science, or real knowledge, or it would approve the
Gospel, and
consent to it. Those who advance reason above
Faith, are in
danger of leaving
Faith.
Grace includes all that is good, and
Grace is an
Earnest, a beginning of
Glory; wherever
God gives
Grace, he will give
Glory.