GEMS FROM THE ENDINGS OF THE EPISTLES

Part XV: Gems From The Ending Of 1 Timothy, A. D. 63-66

(1 Timothy 6:6-21)

I. Introduction

A. The epistle of 1 Timothy was written by the Apostle Paul possibly from Macedonia around A. D. 63-66 after he had been released from his first Roman imprisonment (Bible Know. Com., N. T., p. 434, 729).

B. Paul wrote the letter to direct Timothy on pastoring the church at Ephesus, and in 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Paul gave valuable insight on how a pastor or any other believer should properly and righteously handle money.

C. We thus view 1 Timothy 6:6-21 for our insight, application and edification:

II. Gems From The Ending Of 1 Timothy, A. D. 63-66; 1 Timothy 6:6-21.

A. The previous context that led to Paul’s teaching on the proper handling of money in 1 Timothy 6:6-19 was his remark in 1 Timothy 6:5b about the greedy way that false teachers handled money.

B. However, money is the medium of exchange for goods and services in the world, so a believer does need to handle it. Accordingly, Paul taught Timothy how to handle money righteously in 1 Timothy 6:6-19:

1. Timothy was to focus on being godly and content with that he materially possessed, for such an attitude is truly a great gain in this life, 1 Timothy 6:6. We believers in Christ brought nothing of material wealth with us when we entered the world, and we can take nothing of it with us when we leave it, 1 Tim. 6:7.

2. However, that with which we believers are to be content, as defined by Paul in 1 Timothy 6:8, involves a lot more than just providing for our next meal and for the clothes we will wear tomorrow. We explain:

a. The KJV word “food” translates the Greek term diatrophas, the accusative plural of diarophe, and in the plural it refers to “the means of subsistence” (The Analyt. Grk. Lex., 1972, p. 96; Arndt & Gingrich, A Grk.-Eng. Lex. of the N. T., 1967, p. 189; Moul. & Mill., The Vocabulary of the Grk. N. T., 1972, p. 156).

b. In addition, the KJV word “raiment” (clothing) translates the Greek term skepasmata, the accusative plural of skepasma, and it literally means “covering” in the sense “of anything that serves as a cover and hence as a protection” like “clothing” or even a “house” (Arndt & Gingrich, op. cit., p. 761).

c. Thus, we are to be content with what maintains our livelihood and covers our bodies in the form of clothes, housing, health insurance, etc. In today’s world, this of necessity includes not only providing for our current material needs, but also the savings and investments needed for our future retirement, etc.

3. Having established this definition of that with which we are to be content, Paul warned that they who will to be “rich” fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin, 1 Timothy 6:9-10. What Paul then opposed in 1 Timothy 6:9 was aiming to gain wealth beyond what one needs to secure his livelihood and covering as expressed in his current life in 1 Timothy 6:8.

4. Paul then charged Timothy to flee the lust for money in aiming to be “rich” with its troubles and to replace that goal with those of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness, 1 Tim. 6:11 NIV.

5. Timothy was to fight the good fight of faith in God, taking hold of the eternal life to which he was called, to keep this commandment in following Christ’s example until Timothy met the Lord, 1 Timothy 6:12-14.

6. Paul then delivered a short but wonderful doxology about the glory of God in 1 Timothy 6:15-16.

7. Returning to his theme of properly handling money, Paul told Timothy what to charge other believers who were “rich” in terms of this world’s view in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (as follows):

a. Timothy was to charge believers who were materially “rich” in the world’s estimation not to be proud nor to trust in the uncertainty of their collected riches, but to trust in the Living God Who gives us believers richly all material things we receive from Him to enjoy, 1 Timothy 6:17.

b. Also, Timothy was to tell “rich” believers to be willing to share of their bounty with (especially) needy believers (but also needy unbelievers), 1 Timothy 6:18 with Galatians 6:6-10. In this way they would lay up treasure for themselves in eternity, really taking hold of eternal life, 1 Timothy 6:19.

C. Paul closed his letter, urging Timothy to stick to the truth versus the false teachings of his day, 1 Tim. 6:20-21.

Lesson: God wants pastors and all believers to take care of their needs for a livelihood and housing in this life, but not to desire to be “rich” beyond what they need to have to live out their lives (or those of needy dependents) on earth. Rather, believers who have more than what they need for this life are to be ready and willing to share of their bounty with other especially needy believers to lay up treasures for themselves in eternity with God’s blessing.

Application: May we believers in Christ handle money well as is taught in 1 Timothy 6:6-19.