Bible Commentaries
1 Timothy 6

Verse 1

1. Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

1. Servants - What group of people are being discussed here? Are there different types of servants? Are these people slaves or just hired to work as personal servants (maid, butler) to a wealthy person?

2. Yoke - What is a yoke? Are slaves under a yoke? Are Christians under a yoke?

3. Masters - Who is a master? Do you have a master?

4. Blasphemed - How does one blaspheme? How can one blaspheme the name of God? How can one blaspheme the doctrine?

Verse 2

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.

1. Believing - Is more than faith in the existence of God included here? What qualities would make a master a believer?

2. Brethren - How are they brothers? What significance is there to being brethren? How does being brethren change their relationship?

3. Benefit - What is the benefit? How can a Christian working for a Christian be a benefit? Are there some dangers in working for a Christian? Are there some dangers in being the boss who hires a Christian?

Verse 3

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;

1. Teach - Does this word refer to public, oral teaching? Can one teach error in private? Can one hold to an erroneous view, which he does not teach, and still be accepted?

2. Words - What are wholesome words? What are unwholesome words? What particular words are being discussed in this verse?

3. Words of Jesus - Are "red letter" editions of the Bible proper? Are the words of Jesus more important than the words of Paul or Peter? Are there important doctrines which Jesus did not teach?

Verse 4

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

1. Proud - Is it always wrong to have pride? Are there more than one kind of pride? What is wrong with being proud?

2. Doting - Have you ever seen anyone doting? How does a person dote?

3. Questions - What is wrong with asking questions? Can questions create envy, strife, etc.?

4. Envy - What is envy? Where does envy come from? How is envy created in people?

5. Strife - Why do churches have strife? What are some common causes of strife among members?

6. Railings - What does it mean to rail? Have you ever heard someone rail against God, the Bible or the church?

7. Surmisings - What are surmisings? What is the difference between evil surmisings and surmisings which are not evil?

Verse 5

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

1. Disputings - Can Christians disagree? Is it wrong to have disputes about matters of opinion?

2. Destitute - What does it mean to be destitute of the truth? Does this verse teach the possibility of apostasy?

3. Gain - How do we get gain? Is gain godliness? What is wrong with this view?

4. Withdraw - How can we withdraw from our brothers? What reasons are there for withdrawing from a brother? What is prohibited when one is withdrawn from? Can they ever come back to full fellowship?

Verse 6

6. But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1. Godliness - What is godliness? How can you tell if a person is godly? Are you a godly person?

2. Contentment - In what ways must we learn to be content? In what ways must we not be content? What are the benefits of contentment?

Verse 7

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

1. Nothing - How wealthy are we when we are born?

2. Carry out - How many material things do we take with us when we die? How much wealth follows us into eternity?

Verse 8

8. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.

1. Food and raiment - Should we have a different attitude toward necessities of life and the comforts of life? what is the difference between needs and wants?

2. Content - What is contentment? How can we become content? List some areas where we should not be content.

Verse 9

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.

1. Rich - Who is rich? How do you measure rich or poor?

2. Temptation - Does this word always mean being enticed to do evil? List some ways we are tempted to do evil. List some ways we are tempted or tested in our faith.

3. Lusts - What is lust? Does lust include more than sexual desire? What are some other things we lust for?

Verse 10

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.

1. Love - Give a definition of love. How can people love things? Are there people who love money?

2. Money - Is money evil? Should Christians seek to avoid having money? Is it wrong to have a savings account, stocks, bonds, etc.?

3. Coveted - What is covetousness? Is it wrong to desire to improve the quality of our life? Is it wrong to desire things? What is the difference between desire and covetousness?

4. Sorrows - What are the sorrows of wealth? How can a person gain all the things they desire and be filled with sorrow? Why doesn't wealth satisfy and bring us happiness?

Verse 11

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

1. Flee - What actions are included in fleeing? List some things the Bible commands us to flee from.

2. Follow - What actions are included in following? List some things the Bible commands us to follow.

3. Righteousness - What is righteousness? Who is righteous? Who is "righteous" as used in the New Testament? Is any one here today - righteous? What qualities would you look for to find a righteous man?

4. Patience - How would you define patience? Why does patience seem to be in such short supply in our lives?

5. Meekness - Define - meekness. What qualities tell you that a person is meek. In what sense will the meek inherit the earth?

Verse 12

12. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou are also called, and hast professed a good confession before many witnesses.

1. Fight - Are Christians to fight? What kind of fight is discussed here? Who are we to fight? Where does this fight take place?

2. Eternal life - Who has eternal life? Are all souls (good and evil) eternal? Do we have eternal life now, or is it something we receive on judgment day?

3. Confession - Is confession a part of the plan of salvation? Is confession a part of our daily life as a Christian? In addition to an oral confession with our mouth, how do we confess our faith in Christ?

4. Witnesses - Does this word mean that one can not be baptized in a private ceremony? Who are the witnesses of this verse?

Verse 13

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;

1. Charge - What is a charge as used in this verse? Can we "charge" people today? What is the difference in a charge and a command?

2. Quicken - What does this word mean? What is included in "all things" being quickened?

3. Confession - What confession did Jesus make before Pilate? How does this compare with the confession we are to make?

Verse 14

14. That thou keep the commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ;

1. Spot - Make a list of "spots" that should be avoided. (See also this word in Eph_5:27 )

2. Appearing - When is the appearing of Jesus? To whom will he appear? Will there be people who will not see him when he appears?

Verse 15

15. Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

1. His times - How does his time differ from our time? What is he waiting for? Why did Jesus not come yesterday?

2. King - Is Jesus now a King? Over what is he King? Where is his throne? who are his subjects? What is his law? How does one become a citizen of his kingdom? Is the kingdom of Christ the same as the church of Christ?

Verse 16

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 honor and power everlasting. Amen.

1. Only - Does this verse teach that Jesus is the only person who has immortality? Does this verse teach that Jesus only has immortality and that he does not have mortality? What part of man is mortal? What part of man is immortal?

2. Light - Where is the light in which Jesus is living? Why can it not be seen by us? Will we ever see this light?

Verse 17

17. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

1. Rich - What kind of wealth is mentioned here? List some ways we can be "rich in this world."

2. Trust - What is written on American money? What is the purpose of this phrase? How are riches uncertain? How is God more certain than riches?

3. Enjoy - What was the purpose in creating all the flowers, animals and other things of this world? Is it a violation of the Bible to wear an animal fur? Is it wrong to eat animal meat?

Verse 18

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

1. Rich - How does rich in this verse differ from rich in verse 17? Can we rich in good works and be poor in material things? Can one be rich both ways?

2. Distribute - Does this teach that a rich man must give away all his money and material possessions? Does this verse teach the communist philosophy of a "classless" society?

3. Communicate - What is a better translation of this word? Does communicate include more than talking with people?

Verse 19

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

1. In store - What does this term imply? What does this phrase mean in 1Co_16:2 ? Does this word give authority for the church to have a treasury?

2. Foundation - What is the foundation discussed here? Where should we lay this foundation? Study Mat_6:19-21 .

Verse 20

20. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

1. Committed - What does it mean to be committed? Does the Bible require total commitment? What was wrong with the "Crossroads" teachings and demands for total commitment?

2. Profane - Is it possible to "profane" things, people? How does one profane spiritual truths?

3. Babblings - Describe a babbler. Is this a problem in the church today?

4. Science - What is "science" as it is used here? Does this verse refer to the theory of evolution? List some ways that false knowledge can lead people away from God.

Verse 21

21. Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

1. Erred - How can one err concerning their faith? List some errors in our faith that can result in our being lost.

2. Amen - What does this word mean? It is proper to say, "Amen" during a sermon? Should people say, "Amen" and the close of a prayer? Can women say, "Amen" during a worship service?