1 Timothy 6:1-21 Comments by Stephen Ricker
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I. Slaves and Masters (6:1-2)

>1. What is a yoke and how does it correspond to slavery?

* 1 Timothy 6:1 "All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered."

* "All who are under the yoke"

* "the yoke of slavery"

* Slavery is illegal practically everywhere in the world today. Yet, there are more slaves and human trafficking now than in all of recorded history. A slaver is one who takes away someone's God-given freedom and rights for selfish gain. A slave is someone whose God-given freedom and rights have been taken away and is forced to exist for another's benefit.

Different degrees of slavery exist; that is some slavers take away all freedoms, while other slavers allow their slaves to have some freedom. Different degrees of harshness in slavery exists; that is some slavers mentally and physically abuse their slaves, while other slavers do not. Indentured servitude practiced more so in the past than today is a form of slavery. Some kings in centuries past were so selfish and cruel that they were in fact slavers.

Scholars estimate about 10% (but possibly up to 20%) of the Roman empire's population were enslaved. This would mean, for an estimated Roman empire population of 50 million (in the first century AD) between five and ten million were enslaved.

What can a person do when someone has taken away their freedom and rights, whether in part or all? We should remember that we bear God's name for we are children of God (1). Children of God will do nothing to cause our Father's name to be slandered (1).

Jesus taught that his followers, "But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (Mat. 5:39-42)

Jesus' socially radical teaching includes that I should show respect to someone who takes away any or all of my rights and freedom (1). Also, rather than resent someone who claims to be a believer in Jesus and yet takes away any of my rights or freedom, I am to show them even more respect than if they were not a confessed Christian (2).

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>What are the ways a person became a slave in Roman society?

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>Is the common worker today a type of slave?

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>How should a slave conduct himself?

* "should consider their masters worthy of full respect"

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>Why?

* "so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered"

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>2. Why might a believing slave look down on his master if he is also a believer?

* 1 Timothy 6:2 "Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them."

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>What must slaves with believing masters do?

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>How should a believing master utilize a believing slave?

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II. Love of Money is the Root of all Kinds of Evil (6:3-10)

>3. If someone teaches from the Bible does it mean that all his teachings are from God? (3)

* 1 Timothy 6:3 "If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,"

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>How can we know sound doctrine so that we can spot a false teacher?

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>What is the motivation of false teachers? (4a)

* 1 Timothy 6:4a "he is conceited and understands nothing."

* Why is the desire for more so powerful in my heart and mind? It doesn't need to be. Certainly, I can grow content with enough food, clothing, and shelter. BDBD is 1 Timothy 6:3-10.

Frankly, I do not know of someone who does not love money. Jesus said, "You cannot love both God and money." Here it says, "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." (10) "Love of money" in the original Greek is one word. It is not mistranslated.

Money is what is obtained from labor and investment. Of course, there are also illegal and unethical ways to obey money. Money in theory is then exchanged for stuff. The reason why people love money is that we want more and better stuff. Obtaining stuff with no effort or frustration is desirable to everyone in one degree or another.

Why is the desire for more so powerful in my heart and mind? It doesn't need to be. Certainly, I can grow content with enough food, clothing, and shelter.

I recently watched a documentary about a young man, an expert free base mountain climber. He did not live to acquire stuff. He lived to climb mountains and enjoy nature. I watched another documentary about a woman who lived out of her van. She knew others who did the same. They too were happy and content. Seven years back I traveled to the seventh poorest nation in the world. I meet people there who were happy and content.

I also recently watched a documentary about a once-famous and successful TV evangelist and his wife. They lived verses 3 through 5. Mostly, they loved money. They fell into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires (9). They were plunged into ruin and destruction. He is in jail for misappropriation of church funds. She lives in disgrace and humiliation.

How can I be content with enough food, clothing, and shelter? Contentment is a state of mind and a decision of faith. Contentment is found in godliness. Contentment is found in a loving personal relationship with Jesus. Contentment is found in hope and faith in Christ. Contentment involves gratitude towards God. This is what I remind of myself of when tempted.

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>What tools do they use to keep people off balance? (4b-5a)

* 1 Timothy 6:4a "He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind"

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>What is false teachers ultimate goal?

* 1 Timothy 6:5b "who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain."

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>4. What does verse 6 mean?

* 1 Timothy 6:6 "But godliness with contentment is great gain."

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>What is the truth about riches found in verse 7?

* 1 Timothy 6:7 "For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it."

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>5. What is one way to spot a true believer and Bible teacher? (8)

* 1 Timothy 6:8 "But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."

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>6. Why shouldn't a believer want to get rich? (9)

* 1 Timothy 6:9 "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction."

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>What is the constant temptation of the rich? (10)

* 1 Timothy 6:10 "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

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>Are rich believers excluded from the troubles that wealth brings?

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III. What to Flee and Pursue (6:11-21)

>7. What should a man of God flee?

* 1 Timothy 6:11 "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness."

* I awoke this morning under the cloud of depression, with concerns about money and the future. I think about God's promise and wonder how much longer till he fulfills it. I tell myself that I have much to be thankful for and speak postcard prayers. Still, the feeling persists as I clean myself in preparation for the day.

I do not lose hope in God and his love for me. I do not let depression stun me into idleness, nor allow it to turn into anger. I read his word. Today's passage is an encouragement, direction, and a prescription to this morning's mood. God wants me to fight the good fight of the faith (12).

I read these verses several times till it cleanses my mood. Morning depression is like soil and oil on the skin. Soap and water can clean it off, but only after several applications.

God directs me to pursue what he approves of; right actions and thoughts, a godly life, faith in him, love, endurance (patience), and gentleness (11). God tells me that I can pursue endurance if I so choose. Even when the day starts with a gloomy mood I can pursue patience in his timing.

This morning, when I could not move out of the shadow over me, God sustained me and in mercy removed the cloud in my mind. He gave me life (13). He gave me Christ Jesus' good confession (13).

God will bring about all in his own time, Jesus' coming and fulfilling his promise (14,15). Until then he let one small ray leave the unapproachable light around him through my cloud, into my shadow, and into me (16).

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>What should he pursue?

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>8. What is the life of faith compared to in verse 12?

* 1 Timothy 6:12 "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

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>What kind of confession is Paul talking about?

* 1 Timothy 6:13 "In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you"

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>How did Jesus do such a confession?

* 1 Timothy 6:14 "to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,"

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>9. What do we learn about God's character in verses 15 and 16?

* 1 Timothy 6:15-16 "which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen."

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>10. How should rich Christians use their wealth? (17-18)

* 1 Timothy 6:17-18 "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."

* The rich in this world are addressed directly in the Bible. Jesus has advice and commands for them. These verses address the wealthy. The rich are those who have great abundance; more money and assets than over half of their peers, family, and neighbors.

Having wealth changes almost everyone. Not only does their way of living change, but also their thinking and attitude. Wealth easily puffs up pride and arrogance. Wealth can believe that self did it thus ignoring the truth that God provides the means, way, and ability to obtain money and assets (17).

Having wealth and assets is not a sin. Many righteous and ethical means exist for obtaining and maintaining wealth. God provides each person with daily needs; friends, food, clothing, and shelter for enjoyment. Some are given the privilege to obtain wealth (17).

I am not rich by middle-class American standards. I am wealthy by most world standards. I am not rich when compared to most friends, family, and peers. Still, acquaintances would say that I have more income than they. Every day I see and am near those who do not have much.

Recently, some have been walking up to me asking for financial help and/or a ride somewhere. Two days ago I was at a gas station where a man walked up to me. With many words, he wanted a ride and some cash. He saw me as rich compared to himself. Holding back would have been a sin. I am to be generous and willing to share (18) even though I have no savings and have some debt.

The Spirit moved my conscience to reflect upon my heart attitude when he called me over. I had to quench resentment for having to change my plans to give this man a short ride and almost empty by billfold of cash. Attitude is what God looks at. How I do good is just as important as the act.

Both Jesus and verse 19 claim the truth that doing good towards others lays up treasure in heaven for the age to come. I wrote more of this and the age to come in the manuscript "The Believer's Future - Hope that Inspires."

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>Why? (19)

* 1 Timothy 6:19 "In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

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>What is the final instructions Paul gives Timothy?

* 1 Timothy 6:20-21 "Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you."

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