The name Timothy signifies “honor of God.” In this we have a clue or indication that Paul’s words to him are not limited to the events and conditions of the early church, but to the “Timothy class,” those who would stand for and continually expound the “honor of God” throughout the Gospel age, the church of the firstborn. It is within this context that we get further insight into the apostle’s letters to Timothy.

When Paul wrote this letter, Timothy was young, yet an elder in his ecclesia. With youth comes inexperience and Paul knew that inexperience combined with the significant responsibilities of an elder would make Timothy a prime target of the adversary. Paul in the opening verses of this first letter describes Timothy as a son, showing his strong concern for Timothy’s spiritual welfare. Although concerned with defining clear qualifications for elders and deacons serving the ecclesia, Paul wove into this letter constant admonition, counsel, exhortation, and encouragement.

Behavior of Slaves—1 Timothy 6:1,2

Let all who are under the yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine may not be spoken against. And let those who have believers as their masters not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but let them serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.

It may seem odd that having just given guidelines for ecclesia servants, Paul segues into this chapter by describing how being a disciple of Christ changes how servants are to treat their masters.

The word translated “slave” (Strong’s #1401, doulos) is the word most commonly used for someone in permanent slavery. There are five other Greek words used in the New Testament that denote various other kinds of servitude, such as a household servant or employee (Strong’s #3610, oiketes), or an indentured servant, honorably “working off a debt” which otherwise he would be unable to pay (Strong’s #2324, therapon).

Why did Paul make this point? Today, we might consider those in permanent servitude as somewhat disgraceful, being unable to properly discharge one’s duties and/or commitments. This was not Paul’s perspective. He clearly felt there was honor in service done well and faithfully to the master of the house. The master would also clearly value the service of a good slave. Paul was speaking of Christians whose covenant relationship to God has obligated them to “permanent service” to him.

With Timothy’s ultimate spiritual welfare in mind, Paul chose this illustration to make a point about humility. We are running for the most noble cause (and reward) in the universe, the high calling, and its reward of the divine nature. As such it may be easy to think of ourselves more highly than those who have some legitimate authority over us: parents, teachers, employers, any to whom we owe some kind of debt (though not necessarily a monetary debt). Paul indicated that service to any is to be a Christian’s constant objective: “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:10).

Paul’s point in verse 2 is that the familiarity that exists among brethren does not decrease the responsibility of service and respect. Given his earlier comments on qualifications for class servants, Paul was likely referring to respect for elders, even among the elders.

Importance of Doctrine—1 Timothy 6:3-5

If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

In these verses Paul warned Timothy of individuals who had the wrong attitude toward godliness and how to identify them. The words seem rather harsh and we might question why Paul felt the need to warn Timothy of what seems rather obvious.

Soundness of doctrine cannot be ignored in matters of character. Some, who come short in developing Christ’s character, look to influence others with matters that are not in line with “sound words.” This is a warning to us in advocating variations in matters of doctrine. What is our prime motivation? Do we wish to be flattered by a recognition of our intellectual prowess in proposing such?

Paul had no sympathy for those he felt were more interested in debating the truth rather than encouraging and admonishing the brethren to live it. He saw that underlying character flaws can motivate some to look more at their own covenant for what it gains them, instead of what is realized by devotion to God and the joy derived from service to man, especially the brethren. Paul surely did not target these words at Timothy. Instead, Paul likely was, by implication, warning Timothy that he should be prepared to encounter such in his walk. Being a young elder, it might be natural for Timothy to shrink from confronting such individuals. However, the constant vigilance of the shepherd for the flock is a grave responsibility of the elders.

Contentment—1 Timothy 6:6-8

But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.

Christians often think of living godly as a sacrifice on their part, that it involves a giving up or some loss. Paul, as he often did, expounded the opposite concept. But to be great gain, godliness must be “accompanied by contentment” (Philippians 3:7,8).

When the godly look at this life as mere preparation for the life to come, satisfying the most basic needs of life will bring contentment. Pastor Russell stated it well in a newspaper sermon: “Christian contentment is based on godliness, worldly contentment is based upon love of ease and selfishness.”{2} The question for each of us is how content am I? We can use our contentment as a gauge of our dedication to the pursuit of godliness.

Love of Money—1 Timothy 6:9,10

But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang.

In these verses Paul was not criticizing comfort and even wealth as a menace to a Christian. Instead, he looked at them as mere objects that were not inherently good or evil. Given the influence of thousands of years of sin and evil, there are tendencies associated with wealth and riches against which Paul warned Timothy. We tend to think that some level of wealth gives us more security and liberty in the pursuit of our desires, even a desire to sacrifice. Paul saw it differently. Riches and wealth give us less spiritual security, being a snare more likely to plunge our new mind into ruin. Not to be ignored is Paul’s distinction: the snare is the “love of money,” not money itself. There have been many throughout the age who were well-to-do but who used their wealth not as objects to be nurtured and grown but rather as something to use in the Lord’s service.

A Fight of Faith—1 Timothy 6:11,12

But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Fleeing and fighting seem like opposite concepts: Retreat but engage the enemy. Militarily, the Christian war is not one battle, but a series of strategic battles and engagements. Paul told Timothy that both fleeing and fighting are within the Christian battle plan. The new mind needs to learn which action is best for each situation in the pursuit of righteousness and godliness. Often, it is best to avoid that which negatively influences us. In other circumstances, a battle cannot be avoided. The principles of righteousness and the true character of the Father and son must be defended even when it is more advantageous to, or less dangerous for, the flesh to avoid the battle.

Keep the Commandment—1 Timothy 6:13-16

I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords; who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

Paul now had reached his conclusion and closing salutation of the entire letter. Paul charged Timothy to “keep the commandment without stain or reproach.” What is “the commandment” he wanted Timothy to “keep”?

Pastor Russell provided an excellent answer to this question and reviewed the entire conclusion of the letter. Briefly, he said the charge was the defense and proclamation of the Gospel of Christ not only in the days of the early church but throughout the age. Paul, even at this early stage, could see the influence of heathen religions and philosophies on the message of the church. He correctly saw these influences (as well as the consequential doctrinal variances) as a serious danger to the church members as well as to the gospel itself. (See Reprints, p. 1127.)

In this charge which Paul gave to Timothy, we notice the time and words which Paul used in these verses to glorify and praise the Father and son. How often do we take the time to praise God in our communication with each other? Paul provided an example here, thinking perhaps of the wider audience that would ultimately read the letter.

Paul’s motives in all his communication was the edification and encouragement of all the brethren. The accumulation of riches brings less, not more, certainty regarding the future. Faith in God’s assurances to provide what we need and ease our uncertainty establishes a better foundation than any sum of money.

The Responsibilities of the Rich—1 Timothy 6:17-19

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

In these final thoughts, Paul told Timothy to instruct those of his day to use their wealth in doing good, though not necessarily supporting his or Timothy’s work. Modern evangelists would be better served to follow this advice as well. No doubt Paul was thinking of our Lord’s words indicating the hundredfold return for those things sacrificed for his sake (Mark 10:29,30). How much more applicable are these words to the “Timothy class” at this end of the Gospel age, when the disparity among mankind is both wider than ever before and is growing at an increasing rate.

In Paul’s day there were many influences corrupting the purity of the truth. In his conclusion Paul is especially pointing to the Greek philosophers and institutes of “higher learning” in his warning to Timothy.

False “Knowledge”—1 Timothy 6:20,21

O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”—which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.

Science and “natural law” were viewed with almost god-like reverence by the Greeks of Paul’s day (1 Corinthians 1:22). Though this perspective waned in the middle of the Gospel age, it is stronger than ever at this end of the age. Today, the world promotes the message that science (actually “current science” since much of it has changed over the centuries) is the standard by which fact, myth, and religion are distinguished. While scientific facts are in harmony with the Scriptures, philosophies of scientists sometimes are not (especially in the biological sciences). The admonition to Timothy is just as important to the followers of Christ now as when penned by Paul. We should not be discouraged by the professed evidence of any branch of science that seems to contradict what the Scriptures clearly teach. There have been several examples over the years where “current scientific thought” on an issue was steadfastly maintained by the scientific community until the weight of contradictory evidence threatened to collapse that branch of science. Phlogiston and ether have both disappeared from the physicists’ vocabulary. The Piltdown man was a hoax, while modern DNA dating suggests the most recent common ancestor of all women in the world is not millions of years old but may have existed only about 6,000 years ago. Truth has in the past, and will in the future, always ultimately conquer the agendas of man, even those cloaked in science. While most Christians at this end of the age are more scientifically aware, Paul’s clear warning concerns “what is falsely called knowledge” and how it may influence those who are holding to biblical truth.

No matter how many years individual members of the Timothy class have spent in the Christian way, they still need instruction to conform their character to Christ’s. May Paul’s letter have the same effect on each reader as he wanted it to have on Timothy.

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1.  All Scripture citations are from the New American Standard Bible.

2. Pittsburgh Gazette, Feb. 29, 1904. Quoted in Harvest Gleanings 2, p. 63.