Analysis Of The Chapter This chapter 1 Timothy 6 embraces the following subjects of counsel and exhortation: (1) The kind of instruction which was to be given to servants; 1 Timothy 6:1. They were to treat their masters with all proper respect, 1 Timothy 6:1; if their masters were Christians, they... [ Continue Reading ]
LET AS MANY SERVANTS - On the word here rendered “servants” - δοῦλοι douloi - see the notes on Ephesians 6:5. The word is that which was commonly applied to a slave, but it is so extensive in its signification as to be applicable to any species of servitude, whether voluntary or involuntary. If sla... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY THAT HAVE BELIEVING MASTERS - Masters who are Christians. It is clear from this, that Paul supposed that, at that time, and under those circumstances, a man might become a Christian who had slaves under him. How long he might continue to hold his fellow-men in bondage, and yet be a Christia... [ Continue Reading ]
IF ANY MAN TEACH OTHERWISE - Any otherwise than that respect should be shown to masters; and that a more cheerful and ready service should be rendered because they were Christians. It is evidently implied here that some might be disposed to inculcate such views of religion as would produce disconten... [ Continue Reading ]
HE IS PROUD - That is, he is lifted up with his fancied superior acquaintance with the nature of religion. The Greek verb means, properly, “to smoke, to fume;” and then to be inflated, to “be conceited, etc.” The idea is, that he has no proper knowledge of the nature of the gospel, and yet he values... [ Continue Reading ]
PERVERSE DISPUTINGS - Margin, “gallings one of another.” In regard to the correct reading of this passage, see Bib. Repository, vol. iii. pp. 61, 62. The word which is here used in the Received Text - παραδιατρίβη paradiatribē - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It properly means “mis-empl... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT GODLINESS - Piety; religion. The meaning is, that real religion should be regarded as the greatest and most valuable acquisition. “With contentment.” This word, as now used, refers to a state of mind; a calm and satisfied feeling; a freedom from murmuring and complaining. The idea is, that “piet... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE BROUGHT NOTHING INTO THIS WORLD ... - A sentiment very similar to this occurs in Job 1:21 - and it would seem probable that the apostle had that passage in his eye; see the notes on that passage. Numerous expressions of this kind occur in the classic writers; see Wetstein, in loc., and Pricae... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HAVING FOOD AND RAIMENT - Food and raiment, here, seem to be used to denote supplies for our needs in general. It is not uncommon to denote the whole by a part, and, as these are the principal things which we really need, and without which life could not be sustained, the apostle uses the phrase... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THEY THAT WILL BE RICH - Further to enforce the duty of contentment, the apostle refers to some of the evils which necessarily attend a desire to be rich. Those evils have been so great and uniform in all ages, and are so necessary accompaniments of that desire, that, even amidst many inconvenie... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL - That is, of all kinds of evil. This is evidently not to be understood as literally true, for there are evils which cannot, be traced to the love of money - the evils growing out of ambition, and intemperance, and debasing lusts, and of the hatred of Go... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THOU, O MAN OF GOD, FLEE THESE THINGS - These allurements of wealth, and these sad consequences which the love of gold produces. AND FOLLOW AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS, ... - Make these the grand object of your pursuit. On the virtues here enumerated, see the notes on Galatians 5:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH - The noble conflict in the cause of religion; see the notes on Ephesians 6:10; compare notes on 1 Corinthians 9:26. The allusion is to the contests at the Grecian games. LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE - As the crown of victory that is held out to you. Seize this as eagerly... [ Continue Reading ]
I GIVE THEE CHARGE IN THE SIGHT GOD - see the notes on 1 Timothy 5:21. WHO QUICKENETH ALL THINGS - Who gives life to all; notes on Ephesians 2:1. It is not quite clear why the apostle refers to this attribute of God as enforcing the charge which he here makes. Perhaps he means to say that God is the... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THOU KEEP THIS COMMANDMENT - Referring particularly to the solemn injunction which he had just given him, to “fight the good fight of faith,” but perhaps also including all that he had enjoined on him. WITHOUT SPOT - It seems harsh, and is unusual, to apply the epithet, “without spot” - ἄσπιλ... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH IN HIS TIMES HE SHALL SHOW - Which God will reveal at such times as he shall deem best. It is implied here that the time is unknown to people; see the notes on Acts 1:7. WHO IS THE BLESSED AND ONLY POTENTATE - God, who is the ruler over all. The word used here - δυνάστης dunastēs - means on... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO ONLY HATH IMMORTALITY - The word here - ἀθανασία athanasia - properly means “exemption from death,” and seems to mean that God, in his own nature, enjoys a perfect and certain exemption from death. Creatures have immortality only as they derive it from him, and of course are dependent on him f... [ Continue Reading ]
CHARGE THEM THAT ARE RICH IN THIS WORLD, THAT THEY BE NOT HIGH-MINDED - One of the evils to which they are particularly exposed. The idea is, that they should not value themselves on account of their wealth, or look down with pride and arrogance on their inferiors. They should not suppose that they... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THEY DO GOOD - On the duty enjoined in this verse, see Galatians 6:10 note; Hebrews 13:10 note. THAT THEY BE RICH IN GOOD WORKS - “That their good works may be as abundant as their riches.” READY TO DISTRIBUTE - To divide with others; compare Acts 4:34. The meaning is, that they should be lib... [ Continue Reading ]
LAYING UP IN STORE FOR THEMSELVES ... - The meaning of this verse is, that they were to make such a use of their property that it would contribute to their eternal welfare. It might be the means of exalted happiness and honor in heaven, if they would so use it as not to interfere with religion in th... [ Continue Reading ]
KEEP THAT WHICH IS COMMITTED TO THY TRUST - All that is entrusted to you, and to which reference has been particularly made in this Epistle. The honor of the gospel, and the interests of religion, had been specially committed to him; and he was sacredly to guard this holy trust, and not suffer it to... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH SOME PROFESSING - Evidently some who professed to be true Christians. They were attracted by false philosophy, and soon, as a consequence, were led to deny the doctrines of Christianity. This result has not been uncommon in the world. HAVE ERRED CONCERNING THE FAITH - see notes on 1 Timothy 1... [ Continue Reading ]