1 Timothy 6:1-10 (NKJV) Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. 2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
Error and Greed
3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
V1 “Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.” The Greek word for bondservant is (G1401) δοῦλος doûlos, which means a slave or servant. The context tells us which is being referred to. “Servant and slave are two terms often used to describe individuals who perform labor or service for others. However, there are distinct differences between the two. A servant typically works for wages or a salary and has the freedom to choose their occupation and employer. They have certain rights and can negotiate the terms of their employment. On the other hand, a slave is someone who is owned by another person and is considered their property. Slavery involves the complete loss of personal freedom and autonomy, with slaves being forced to work without pay and subjected to harsh treatment. While both servants and slaves may perform similar tasks, the fundamental distinction lies in the level of control and ownership exerted over them.” [Source: https://thisvsthat.io/servant-vs-slave]. As Christians, we too are servants, not slaves. Some translations use the word “slave” for Christians, but God is not a slave owner. Christians are described as friends (John 15:15), children of God (Romans 8:16), brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 6:18), and fellow heirs of Him. The purpose for Paul’s statement (inspired of God) is that this is a witness to the slave owner of God’s goodness. Maybe the slave owner notices a change in his slave’s attitude and asks, “Why the difference?” In this way, the Gospel gets presented with the hope that the slave owner will place his trust into Jesus alone. If so, then the treatment of his slaves, family, and all he comes in contact with might start asking the same questions. Acting godly in difficult circumstances is a witness of God’s goodness.
V2 “And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.” Jesus’s instructions are not only for servants and slave but also for their masters, bosses, overseers, etc. This is a principle for all in authority. Some pastors need to begin obeying these rules as well. The Greek word for “despise” is (G2706) καταφρονέω kataphronéō, to speak against disrespectfully. God loves those in authority as much as those under authority. Partiality is evil (James 2:1-10). Pastors must teach these things even if people do not want to hear them.
V3 “ If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness…” Those who teach different rules and principles are described as “proud, knowing nothing, and obsessed about words, love arguing.” All of which brings envy, strife, verbal abuse, and thinking evil thoughts about others (v4). Since these are so, we must be double careful to not do them. False teachers always present themselves and their pet interpretations cleverly and convincingly. Jesus’s teaching changes the heart, which changes the mind, which changes attitudes, which changes our life and actions. Let us know and live the Scriptures. The Lord Jesus treated all equally when presenting the Gospel: Jews (Matthew 4:23), the poor (Matthew 11:5), everyone in all nations (Mark 13:10), Gentiles (John 4 and Mark 7:26), etc.
V4 “…he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions…” Being proud in the sense of believing our solution is greater and better than God’s. The Greek word for “obsessed” is (G3552) νοσέω noséō, which means obsessed, craving, sick (evil) desires for something. Here, the person rejecting the teaching of the Apostle (V3) usually has a desire to have conversations about their pet doctrines.
Wuest expands: “”Doting” is noseō, “to be sick,” metaphorically used of any ailment of the mind. It speaks of a morbid fondness for something. Expositors says that both doting and mad after as translations err by excess of vigor. The idea is a simple one of sickness as opposed to health. The word is used as opposed to the word hugiainō, translated “wholesome” in v. 3, and referring to a state of sound health. This person has a morbid curiosity about questions. The word is zētēsis, literally, “processes of inquiry,” hence, “debates.”
“Strifes of words” is logomachia, which is made up of logos, “a word,” and machē, “a fight,” hence, “a war of words.” (Wuest Word Studies). They will do anything to win someone over to their view whether their attack is verbal abuse or other pressure. Let us beware!
V5 “…useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.” Note that the mind of these evil people is a “corrupt mind” and “destitute of the truth.” The Greek word for “wranglings” is (G3859) παραδιατριβή paradiatribḗ, which means “continued friction” (Wuest), “meddlesomeness” (Strong), provoking by continual friction (Gill), . Sometimes the motive is to get money (1 Timothy 6:10). Today that might (Might) be speaking engagements, book deals, and self promotions. Let us beware that we do not have this attitude, motive, and action. Wilbur Pickering PhD. writes on this verse: “The clear implication is that these people have not been regenerated, and are being used by the enemy.”I do not know much about these websites, the articles about toxic pastors, etc. are worth reading.
• https://www.readingremy.com/blog/2015/02/26/toxic-pastor-confront-toxic-church
• https://malphursgroup.com/toxic-leadership-controlling-and-manipulative-pastors-wreaking-havoc-in-the-church/
V6 “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” Godliness by following God’s worldview, lifestyle, rules, attitudes, character traits, etc. This plus contentment (accepting what we have and being thankful) is great gain. This gain is better than money and recognition. We need to always have it in our minds that we are servants of Jesus Christ. See 2 Corinthians 6:3-10.
Some quotes:
• “When God calls you to something, He is not always calling you to succeed, He’s calling you to obey! The success of the calling is up to Him; the obedience is up to you.” ~ David Wilkerson
• “If you be faithful, you will have that honor that comes from God: his Spirit will say in your hearts, Well done, good and faithful servants.” ~ Adam Clarke
V7 “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” The bottomline–all the fame, importance, recognition, financial gain is meaningless, but we will die and the treasures of this life remain here. We need the treasures of heaven: Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” The kingdom of God will be the kingdom of the millennium where Jesus Christ rules the world and universe from Jerusalem. In it, God’s way of life will be manifested better than any other time. Praise God! See Zechariah 14.
V8 “And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” Food is our daily bread. God provides much or little but whatever we have has been provided by God. Clothing is covering, thus, it can refer to clothes and/or housing. We need to learn contentment. Contentment: Paul learned 1) by experience and the school of Christ (Philippians 4:11-13), 2) by not being covetous (Luke 12:15), 3) by being content even in difficulties (2 Corinthians 12:10), 4) by whatever we are in at the present (1 Corinthians 7:17), 5) by hard times do happen just because we are Christians (Acts 14:22), and 6) by some traits of God’s kingdom (Romans 14:17).
V9 “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.” Some consequences of seeking to be rich financially. The specific problems are 1) temptation (for more), 2) a snare (driven and addicted to money, etc.), 3) foolish lusts (whatever it takes to have more), 4) harmful (stiffle the faith, even idolatry (Colossians 3:5), and 5) drown in destruction and perdition.
A few comments about “destruction and perdition):
• (NKJV Study Notes Full Color, 3rd Edition) Destruction and perdition are synonymous with ruin and irretrievable loss. This loss may be experienced in this life, as through a wrong purpose for living, or it may be experienced in the afterlife if material desires lead a person away from Christ (see 1:16; 2:4; Luke 16:1–14).
• Barclay (beware): The desire for money tends to be a thirst which is insatiable. There was a Roman proverbial saying that wealth is like sea-water; so far from quenching a man’s thirst, it intensifies it. The more he gets, the more he wants.
• Albert Barnes: The word which is here rendered, “drown” – βυθίζω buthizō – means, to “sink in the” deep, or, “to cause to sink;” and the meaning here is, that they become submerged as a ship that sinks. The idea of drowning is not properly that of the apostle, but the image is that of a wreck, where a ship and all that is in it go down together. The destruction is complete. There is a total ruin of happiness, of virtue, of reputation, and of the soul. The ruling desire to be rich leads on a train of follies which ruins everything here, and hereafter. How many of the human family have thus been destroyed!
V10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” The root of covetousness is deep and hard to kill. We need God’s grace to help us. All kinds of evil can come from the love of money. We would be much better to have the love for God and His kingdom. In order to humble us and change us from the love of money, God may take away our riches to learn seeking true riches. See Luke 16:11, 2 Corinthians 6:10, and 2 Corinthians 8:9.