Bible Commentaries
1 Timothy 6

Verse 1

DESCRIPTION OF A GOOD MINISTER’S WORK

1) "Let as many servants as are under the yoke" (hosoi eisin hupo zugon douloi) "Let as many slaves or servants as are under a yoke." This is a Christian exhortation to saved slaves or servants, who were saved or unsaved, Ephesians 6:5-8.

2) "Count their own masters worthy of all honour" (tous idious despotas pases times aksious egeisthosan) "Deem their own despotic masters (those who bought and paid for them) worthy of all honor," or let them respect them as masters. The Christian doctrine and ethic of liberty did not espouse a social-economic anarchy against the practice of slavery; it sought to teach men to serve and honor God in every state of society, Colossians 3:22.

3) "That the name of God" (hina me to onoma tou theou) "in order that the name or authority of God." God is not the author of confusion, and Christian concepts are not to bring explosive social overthrows in society, 1 Corinthians 14:33.

4) "And his doctrine be not blasphemed." (kai e didaskalia blasphemetai) "And the teaching of him be not blasphemed, derided, or spoken against." The issue of slaves and masters, like the social-economic racial issues of today, were to be approached in the light of man’s divine relationship to God, not to force an economic, social, domestic revolution among men by pressures of outward force and threats, Titus 2:9; 1 Peter 2:18.

Verse 2

1) "And they that have believing masters" (hoi de pistous echontes) "And the ones believing, having despotic masters who believe." Those despotic masters refer to those who bought and, economically by right in the social order, owned the slaves, at a fixed market value, the same as cattle. Yet Christianity would have each to act as brother to the other.

2) " Let them not despise them " (me kataphroneitosan) "Let them not despise or lightly hold or respect them." The place of both master and slave was brought to a higher plane of respect for each other in society, through Jesus Christ; it did not set one against the other.

3) "Because they are brethren" (hoti adelpoi eisin) "Because brethren they are," in the new nature, on a spiritual plane. Yet Paul did not advocate anarchy against that social system or set master against slave and brother against brother. Galatians 3:28.

4) "But rather do them service" (alla mallon douleuetosan) "But rather let them serve as slaves," or let them do service for the Lord as slaves. No person is so low-born that he cannot serve Christ, Titus 2:9-10.

5) "Because they are faithful and beloved" (hoti pistoi eisin kai agapetoi) "Because faithful and beloved ones they are," the masters who are believers, Colossians 4:1; Ephesians 6:9.

6) "Partakers of the benefit" (oi tes euergesias antilambanomenoi) "The ones (masters) receiving in return good service." The slave-servant who became a Christian was to be a better servant to his master than ever before, and the Christian master was to be a better master to his slave-servants than before they became brethren; 1 Corinthians 7:20-22; Philemon 1:16-18.

7) "These things teach and exhort." (tauta didaske kai parakalei) "These kind of things teach thou and motivate," or, "exhort by calling alongside or counseling." The things referred to are social, ethical, and Christian moral responsibilities of slaves or servants to masters, and masters to servants, as employers and employees in Christ, 1 Corinthians 10:31.

THE SLAVE WINNING HIS MASTER FOR CHRIST

Many a heathen master was rebuked amid his career of profligacy by the saintly lives of Christian slaves who had given themselves up to the Lord of purity; and probably the hearts of many were touched through the prayers of those they had despised. We have read of a negress in the Southern states who was caught praying by her master and cruelly beaten for her pains. Stripped and tied fast to the post, as the blood-stained whip ceased for a moment to fall on the quivering flesh, she was asked if she would give over praying. "No, massa, never!!" was the answer; "I will serve you, but I must serve God." Again the lashes rained down on her bleeding back; but when once more they ceased, the voice of the follower of Jesus was heard praying, "0 Lord, forgive poor massa, and bless him." Suddenly the whip fell from his hand; stricken with the finger of God, he broke down in penitence. Then and there the prayer was answered -- the godless master was saved through the faithfulness of the slave he had despised.

-Gray & Adams Bible Commentary

Verse 3

1) "If any man teach otherwise" (ei tis eterodidaskalei) “If anyone should teach differently," or in conflict with this position regarding slave or, servant -master relationship, in conflict with what Paul had taught them, Galatians 1:8.

2) "And consent not to wholesome words" (kai me proserchetai hugiainousin logois) "And does not consent, or come of his own accord to practical words," also referred to as sound words, 2 Timothy 1:13.

3) "Even to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ" (tois tou kuriou hemon iesou christou) "To words of the Lord Jesus Christ." The words, instructions of Paul, he asserts, are those of Jesus Christ, by inspiration.

4) "And to the doctrine" (kai te didaskalia) "And to the teaching or doctrine," 2 Corinthians 13:2-3; the teachings or doctrines of Christ Paul had previously preached to Timothy and the church at Ephesus.

5) "Which is according to godliness;” (kat’ eusebeian) "According to piety or godly behavior." Paul’s preaching and teaching was after the pattern or mold of Jesus Christ, as he received it from Him, Galatians 1:11-12; Galatians 1:15-16; Galatians 1:23.

Verse 4

1) "He is proud, knowing nothing" (tetuphotai meden hepistamenos) "He has been puffed up, understanding not one thing," (intelligently). These sickly questionings of false teachers and skeptics dodged and doted from one question of doubt to another, unstable and unsure.

2) "But doting about questions and strifes of words" (alla noson peri zeteseis kai logomachias) "But he is in a diseased state or condition of mentality about questionings and battles of words." Like morons, mentally deranged, without spiritual comprehension, these anachrists against God become a god to themselves, 2 Timothy 3:7; 2 Peter 2:12; Judges 1:10.

3) "Whereof cometh" (heks on ginetai) "out of which (attitude) comes," or presumptuous obstinacy against the teachings of Christ come the following: (as aptly described in ; Judges 1:8; Judges 1:16.

a) "Envy" (phthonos) A selfish, covetous sin in conflict with Christian ethics, (malice or spite), Proverbs 14:30; Romans 1:29.

b) "Strife" (eris) A fruit of the flesh, Proverbs 22:10; Proverbs 26:17; Proverbs 26:20-21 ; Philippians 2:3.

c) "Railings" (blasphemiai) "Cantankerous, blame-placing against another, deriding, scoffing, speaking against, 1 Peter 3:9; Judges 1:9.

d) "Evil surmisings" (huponoiai ponerai) "Wicked suspicions" or imaginations of evil, malicious suspicions regarding honesty of those who differ with them, Genesis 6:5; Judges 1:16.

Verse 5

1) "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds" (diaparatrifai diephtharmenon anthropon ton noun) "Perpetual or incessant wranglings of men with corrupt minds. " "Perverse disputings" refer to slanted arguments, containing half truths hotly presented by the intellectually dishonest to gain a point because he had not truth on his side - much as Job’s pretended friends.

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2) "And destitute of the truth" (kai apeoteremenon tes aletheas) “And (having been) deprived of the truth," going on in quarrelsome, contentious, galling disputation on a proposition that is false, invalid, or without truth regarding its affirmation.

3) "Supposing that gain is godliness:" (nomizoton porismon einai eusebeian) "Supposing or presuming (earthly) gain to be piety or evidence of godliness." Some presumed godliness to be a way of gain, to follow with ulterior motives of getting earthly gain. Job’s supposed friends argued this way against him; so did Satan, Job 1:9-11; Job 22:5-9.

4) "From such withdraw thyself." (this is not in the original as per E. N.) It is an exhortation found in 2 Timothy 3:5 under similar descriptive circumstances.

Verse 6

1) "But godliness with contentment" (estin de porismos megas e eusebeia meta autarkeias) "But godliness with self-sufficiency (contentment in godliness)," Hebrews 13:5; Philippians 4:11. The godly way of life bears in it a peace of mind and rest of conscience unfound in earthly gain, apart from God, John 16:33.

2) "Is great gain." (estin porismos megas) It is the doing of the will of God and work of God that abides forever, brings gain of great good and rewards, 1 John 2:17; 1 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 3:14-15. The real gain is hereafter, Romans 8:17-18.

CONTENTMENT

The heart, amid every outward want, is then only truly rich, when it not only wants nothing which it has not, but has that which raises it above what it has not.

-Gray & Adams Commentary

Verse 7

1) "For we brought nothing into this world" (ouden gar eisenegkamen eis ton hosmon) "For not one thing have we brought into the world." We came physically naked, Job 1:21 - empty handed we shall also depart, Ecclesiastes 5:15; Psalms 49:17.

2) "And it is certain" (hoti oudei) "And it is certain" or "for that reason, one thing is certain." God cares for His own, provides food and clothing today in this life, Matthew 6:25-33.

3) "We can carry nothing out." (eksenegkein ti dunametha) "We are not able, cannot carry anything out of the world," neither of the rich men did, Luke 12:19-21; Luke 16:19-31.

VANITY OF RICHES

A distinguished man lay on his death-bed, when a great mark of distinction and honor was brought to him. Turning a cold glance on the treasure he would have once clutched with an eager grasp, he said with a sigh, "Alas!! This is a very fine thing in this country; but I am going to a country where it will be of no use to me!!"

-Dr. Haven

WHAT A FOOL I’VE BEEN!!

A rich man lay dying. His little daughter couldn’t understand why her big daddy was so helpless now. She asked, "Daddy, are you going away?" "Yes, dear, I am going away, and I am afraid you won’t see me again!" her father answered. The little girl asked, "Daddy, have you got a nice house to go to?" The rich man was silent for a moment, and then began to cry. He lamented, "What a fool I have been!! I have built a great business here and have amassed riches here, but I shall be a pauper there!!"

-Walter Knight

Verse 8

1) "And having food and raiment" (echontes de diatrophas kai skepasmata) "Moreover having enough food and enough clothing," this also contemplates shelter sufficient for needs, for the natural man. Jacob alluded to this in his "bread to eat and raiment to put on plea," Genesis 28:20.

2) "Let us be therewith content." (toutois apkesthesometha) "With these things we will be satisfied," or "we will be sufficiently provided," Matthew 25:9; John 6:7; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19,

Verse 9

1) "But they that will be rich" (oi de boulomenoi ploutein) "But those resolving of their own accord to be rich, plutocratic," those who have a compulsive, selfish will to be rich are restless without contentment. These make the getting of riches their aim, goal, objective of life for selfish ends, Luke 12:19-21.

2) "Fall into temptation and a snare" (empiptousin eis peirasmon kai pagida) "Fall (deep) into temptation and an entrapment or snare." What is condemned is not ambition to succeed for godly purposes. but for selfish, lustful motives. Wealth honorably gotten and used honors God, Deuteronomy 8:18.

3) "And into many foolish and hurtful lusts" (kai epithumias pallas anetous kai blaberas) "And into many foolish and injurious lusts;" To wit, the prodigal son, Luke 15:11-24 and the Rich young ruler, Matthew 19:16-26 and one choked with worldly cares, Matthew 13:22.

4) "Which drown men in destruction and perdition." (aitines buthizousin tous anthropous eis olethron kai apoleian) "Which cause such self-willed men to sink into ruin and destruction of their influence," or usefulness to God, 1 Timothy 6:17; James 5:1-2.

To gain wealth honestly, with integrity, to help, to serve God and ones’ fellowman, develops character and is honorable, but the one who "cuts corners," deals deceitfully, treacherously, and dishonestly to get riches for self or for selfish motives alone shall not go unpunished, Galatians 6:7-8; Proverbs 28:20-22; 2 Kings 5:22-27; Proverbs 13:11; Proverbs 20:21; Proverbs 23:4. Let labor never be for the motive of riches for self, merely money-grubbing for self alone.

Verse 10

1) "For the love of money" (gar e philarguria) "For the impulsive affections of money," the passion itself. Men are avaricious from the desire to say, "This is mine." Such tends to idolatry from which Christians are taught to f lee, 1 Corinthians 10:14; James 4:7.

2) "Is the root of all evil:" (ripa panton ton kakon estin) "A root-cause of all kinds of evils (it is)," meanness and covert dishonesty. Annanias and Sapphira found it didn’t pay, Acts 5:1-11.

3) "Which while some coveted after" (es tines oregomenoi) "Which some hankering after, of their own volition, desires," reaching or stretching after, pursuing, exerting all energy to get and hold gain for its pleasure. Judas did, Matthew 26:14-15; Matthew 27:5; Acts 1:18.

4) "They have erred from the faith" (apeplanthesan apo tes pisteos) "Wandered or strayed away from the faith; the system of Christian truth:" having been tempted away from conduct within the body of Christian truth, as a sheep with head down keeps nipping grass- -going on heedless to the shepherd’s voice.

5) "And pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (kai heautous periepeiran oudunais pollais) "Even pierced themselves around (bit by bit) by or with many pains," or disillusionments, like mirages of the desert, Joshua 7:24-26; 2 Kings 5:25-27. Note Achan and Gehazi learned it didn’t pay.

Verse 11

1) "But thou, O man of God, flee these things" (su de ho anthrope theou tauta pheuge) "But thou, O man of God, flee these kinds of things," fruits of covetousness, fruits of idolatry, outgrowth of reaching out after wealth, with the wrong motive, just mentioned above, 2 Corinthians 6:17. Love of money will discredit a minister in the eyes of ordinary people more than indulgence in many other sins.

2) "And follow after" (dioke de) "And pursue thou," the following body of Christian objectives, these kind of things, Philippians 4:8-9.

a) "Righteousness" (dikaiosumen) "Righteousness," 2 Timothy 2:22.

b) "Godliness" (eusebeian) "A godly course of daily living, or piety," 2 Peter 1:5-7.

c) "Faith" (pistin) "Faith," the energizing Christian dynamic, Hebrews 11:1; 1 Corinthians 13:13.

d) "Love" (agapen) "Love," a spiritual gift and Christian virtue that bears fruit for God; Galatians 5:6.

e) Patience" (hupomonen) "Endurance," or patience" inwrought by tribulation, Romans 5:3.

f) "Meekness" (praupathian) "Meekness," Galatians 5:23; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 4:2; 1 Peter 3:15.

Verse 12

1) "Fight the good fight of faith" (agonizou ton kalon agona tis pisteos) "Struggle the good struggle of the faith, the system or body of Christian truth," as earnestly as men struggle for riches, 2 Timothy 2:3.

2) "Lay hold on eternal life" (epilabou tes alomou zoes) "Lay hold on the things of eternal life," the enduring virtues of the spirit, that make one a Christian fruit-bearer, 2 Peter 1:4-7; Hebrews 10:23.

3) "Whereunto thou art also called" (eis en eklethes) "To which thou wast called," 2 Peter 1:10-11; Not merely an entrance into the everlasting kingdom, but an "abundant entrance" to those who are fruit-bearers, in contrast with those who serve not well, 2 Peter 1:4-7; 1 Corinthians 3:15; where some are saved "as if by fire."

4) "And has professed a good profession" (kai homologesas ten kalen homologian) "And didst confess the good confession." This evidently refers to his ordination, witnessed by the laying on of the hands of the presbytery, before the congregation, 2 Timothy 1:6.

5) "Before many witnesses." (enopion pollon marturon) "In the presence of many witnesses, or publicly," 1 Timothy 4:14; Deuteronomy 34:9. Ordination for public service must be publicly witnessed, for church officers as well as kings, governors, and presidents.

Verse 13

1) "I give thee charge in the sight of God" (parangello enopion tou theou) "I charge (thee) in the presence of God," a solemn exhortation from the aged Paul far away, 1 Timothy 5:21.

2) "Who quickeneth all things" (tou zogonountos ta panta) "The one (God) quickening all things," who makes and keeps alive, Acts 17:28; James 4:14-15. Even our Lord was saved (delivered) out of death, Hebrews 5:7.

3) "And before Christ Jesus" (kai christou iesou) "And in the presence of Christ Jesus (I charge thee)." The ministry to which Timothy had been ordained and charged was the ministry of Jesus Christ, to whom he must one day report, 2 Corinthians 5:10.

4) "Who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;" (tou marturesantos epi Pontiou Pilatou ten kalen homologian) "The one who witnessed in the time of Pontius Pilate the good confession;" our Lord was not only in service for near one year in the area of Pontius Pilate’s jurisdiction in Jerusalem confessed a good confession regularly, but also when arraigned before him for trial, John 19:11.

Verse 14

1) "That thou keep this commandment without spot" (teresai se ten entolen aspilon) "That thou keep or guard this commandment unspotted," to preserve it intact, 2 Timothy 4:7. To keep or guard every applicable Divine commandment is to "keep the faith."

2) "Unrebukeable" (anepilempton) "Without or against reproach." To keep the commandment, the charge of the ministry, unrebukeable or without reproach, is to keep or guard ones’ self from serious charge of moral or ethical wrong, James 1:27.

3) "Until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:" (mechri tes epiphaneias tou kuriou hemon iesou christou) "Until the appearance (first manifestation) of our Lord Jesus Christ; "in the flesh, in the clouds, in the air, as he returns-, as He went away, personally and bodily, Acts 4:16-18; Titus 2:13.

Verse 15

1) "Which in his times he shall shew" (en kairois idiois deiksei) "Which in his own season (times) he shall show," in due season, or at the appropriate time, not merely to comply with "time setters," or "time meddlers," opinions, Acts 1:7; Matthew 24:36; Matthew 24:42; Matthew 24:44, as at His first coming, Galatians 4:4.

2) "Who is the blessed and only Potentate" (ho makarios kai monos dunastes) "The blessed and only (true) Potentate," the only absolute ruler of heaven and earth, of all places and creatures. Other potentates rule by usurpation, or by the permissive will of God, Daniel 5:18-22; Daniel 2:37-38; Isaiah beheld Him, Isaiah 6:5.

3) "The King of kings" (ho Basileus ton Basileuonton) "The king of the ones (kings) reigning;" said to be the eternal king, continuing, yet to be manifest in His earthly reign, Zechariah 14:9. Though born "King of the Jews," from among them, ethnically or racially, He is to reign as the King of all the earth, Matthew 2:2; Luke 1:32-33; Revelation 11:15.

4) "And Lord of lords!" (kai kurios ton kurieuonton) "And Lord of the one (lords) ruling," Daniel 7:14; Daniel 7:27; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16. In beauty, holiness, and power, He excels and is the sum of all holy excellencies of all whom men have called good kings of all times. Let each say "He is my King" and "I shall be His daily subject, obeying His commands, and doing His will in my life, always."

Verse 16

1) "Who only hath immortality" (ho monos echon athanasian) "The only (one) having, holding, or containing immortality;" John 5:26. All other kings, lords, rulers, and subjects have mortality, corruption, and imperfections, except as immortality is given them by regeneration, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

2) "Dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto" (phos oikon aprositon) "Dwelling in or inhabiting light unapproachable;" This concerns the holiness of heaven’s abode, into which none can approach or enter, without regeneration, Revelation 21:27; Psalms 104:2; 1 John 1:5.

3) "Whom no man hath seen, nor can see" (on eiden oudais anthropon oude idein dunatai) "Whom no man has seen (saw) nor is able to perceive," only the Son has seen God, in His essence of being, John 1:18; Matthew 11:27; In the flesh He has been revealed; Genesis 18:21-22; John 14:8-9.

4) "To whom be honour and power everlasting." (ho time kai kratos aionion amen) "To whom be honor and eternal might, Amen." All creatures exist of His mercies and to Him owe honor and praise continually, whether or not they offer it, Revelation 4:9; Revelation 5:12-13.

Verse 17

1) "Charge them that are rich in this world" (tois plousiois en to nun aioni parangelle) "The rich ones in the now and continuing age, charge thou;" Even those redeemed, who are rich, are charged to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, James 2:5.

2) "That they be not highminded" (me hupselophronein) "Not to be highminded;" because of material wealth, a serious temptation, to be proud, arrogant, with superiorosity, Mark 10:23-27.

3) "Nor trust in uncertain riches" (mede elpikenai epi ploutou adeloteti) "Nor to have (their) hope set or fixed on the uncertainty or instability of riches;" 1 John 2:17; Job 31:24-28.

4) "But in the living God" (alla epi theo) "But in or upon the (true) God," the living one, Proverbs 3:3-5; Proverbs 11:28. The uncertainty and insecurity of earthly riches is contrasted with the eternal, all-sufficient God.

5) "Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy" (to parechonti emin panta plousios eis apolausin) "The one offering to us all kinds of things richly for enjoyment," James 1:17; Acts 17:28.

Verse 18

1) "That they do good" (agathoergein) "To do good work continually," Galatians 6:6. Financial support of those who teach the Word is a good work, Titus 2:3; Titus 2:14; .

2) "That they be rich in good works" (ploutein en ergois kalois) "To be rich in good works," for which purpose they were saved, Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 4:9. Even our Lord "went about doing good," Acts 10:38; Acts 9:36.

TOO PROUD TO WORK

During the American Revolution, it is said, the commander of a little squad was giving orders to those under him, relative to a stick of timber which they were endeavoring to raise up to the top of some military works they were repairing. The timber went up hard, and on this account the voice of the little man was oftener heard in regular vociferation of "Heave away!! There she goes!! Heave ho!!" An officer, not in military costume, was passing, and asked the commander why he did not take hold and render a little aid. The latter, astonished, turning around with all the pomp of an emperor, said, "Sir, I am a corporal!" "You are, are you?" replied the officer, "I was not aware of that!" and taking off his hat and bowing, "I ask your pardon, Mr. Corporal." Upon this he dismounted, and lifted ’til the sweat stood in drops on his forehead; and when finished, turning to the commander he said, "Mr. Corporal, when you have another such job, and have not men enough, send for your Commander- in-Chief, and I will come and help you a second time." The corporal was thunder-struck. It was General Washington!!

3) "Ready to distribute, willing to communicate;" (eumetadotous einai koinonikous) "Ready to impart (to others), generous to help the needy in any need," imparting or parting with one’s own to help another, in sympathy sharing with one in need. Wealth held by a Christian is a trust for benevolent uses, Hebrews 13:16; Romans 12:13.

Verse 19

1) "Laying up for themselves" (apothesaurizontas heautois) "Treasuring away for themselves," that from which the building of a great life rises, Matthew 19:21; comes from sharing with the needy; The worldly store one lays up for himself must be gathered or held in store only temporarily, with the motive and design of helping others, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.

2) "A good foundation against the time to come" (themelion kalon eis to mellon) "A good foundation for the future," Luke 16:9. Christ is the true foundation; man’s work of good are to be done in evidence that he is on that foundation, 1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20; Psalms 11:3.

3) "That they may lay hold on eternal life." (hina epilabontai tes ontos zoes) "In order that they may lay hold on the (really) eternal life," the things that relate to, give evidence that one has eternal life, the life worth living, Philippians 3:14; 1 Corinthians 9:24; Hebrews 12:1-2; Hebrews 6:18.

Verse 20

1) "O Timothy" (ho Timothee) "O Timothy," an apostrophe of grammatical nature, addressing an absent person as if he were present, an intense personal appeal, as in 1 Timothy 1:18.

2) "Keep that which is committed to thy trust" (ten paratheken phulakson) "Keep or guard that which is deposited with thee." Guard the deposit of sound doctrine you are to teach. It is practically identical with his charge, 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 1:12-14; Colossians 4:17.

3) "Avoiding profane and vain babblings" (ektrepomenos tas bebelous kenophonias) "Turning aside from profane (and) empty utterances," or turning away from puerile and profitless intellectual quibbling and subtleties, waste of time and moral powers, Titus 1:14.

4) "And oppositions of science falsely so called" (kai antitheseis tes pseudonumou gnoseos) "And opposing or standing against falsely named knowledge," or "science so-called," pseudo-science. 2 Timothy 2:14; Titus 1:9; 1 Peter 3:15.

SCIENCE

The science which is most necessary for us to learn is how to preserve ourselves from the contagion of bad example.

-Xenophon

HEAD AND HEART KNOWLEDGE

Head knowledge is our own, and one can polish only the outside; heart knowledge is the Spirit’s work, and makes all glorious within.

--Adam

Verse 21

1 ) "Which some professing" (en tines epangellomenoi) "Which some professing, promising, or claiming," which some arrogate to themselves, professing to be overwise, intellectual-pen -heads, 2 Timothy 2:14.

2) "Have erred concerning the faith" (peri ten pistin estochesan) "Concerning the faith, body of Christian truth, missed aim or erred," 1 Timothy 1:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:17-18.

3) "Grace be with thee. Amen." (he charis meth’ humon) "The grace (of God) be with you." May the favor of God be thy joy and shield, protection, a fatherly benediction, as to the Corinthian brethren, 2 Corinthians 13:14; similar to the Jewish benediction for good, Numbers 6:24-26.