Instructions for Servants
Study note
Paul instructs servants to show full honor to their masters so that God's name and the gospel teaching are not blasphemed. Those with believing masters should serve them even more diligently rather than showing less respect on account of their shared faith. These instructions, while addressing the specific institution of the first century, establish the enduring principle that Christian conduct in every social relationship should enhance rather than undermine the reputation of the gospel.
1 Believers who are servants should give their masters full respect and honor. That way, no one will be able to say anything bad about God or about what we teach. Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
False Teachers and the Love of Money
Study note
Paul warns against those who teach contrary doctrine and are motivated by pride and greed, treating godliness as a path to financial gain. He counters with one of Scripture's most famous declarations: godliness with contentment is great gain. We brought nothing into the world and can take nothing out, so food and clothing should suffice. The desire to be rich leads to temptation, harmful desires, and ruin. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, causing some to wander from the faith and pierce themselves with many sorrows.
3 Someone might teach something that differs from the healthy words of our Lord Jesus Christ. It might go against teaching that helps people grow closer to God. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 that person is full of pride and does not truly understand anything. They love to argue and fight about words. This only leads to jealousy, fighting, insults, and bad thoughts about other people. He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 This creates constant bickering among people whose thinking has gone bad and who have lost their grip on the truth. They think that being religious is just a way to get rich. Stay far away from people like that. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6 But this is the true secret to being rich: love God and be happy with what you already have. But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 After all, we came into this world with empty hands, and we will leave with empty hands. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 So if we have enough food to eat and clothes to wear, that should be plenty for us. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 People who are determined to get rich walk right into a trap. They get caught up in foolish and harmful desires that drag them down to ruin and destruction. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 Loving money is the starting point for all kinds of evil. Some people were so hungry for wealth that they wandered completely away from the faith and stabbed themselves with many painful sorrows. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Fight the Good Fight
Study note
Paul turns directly to Timothy as a man of God, commanding him to flee the love of money and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. He charges Timothy to fight the good fight of faith and take hold of eternal life, recalling his public confession of faith. Paul grounds this charge in the sight of God who gives life to all things and Christ who testified before Pontius Pilate. Timothy must keep this command spotless until Christ's appearing, which God will bring about in his own time as the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, dwelling in unapproachable light.
11 But you, as someone who belongs to God, run away from all of that! Chase after what is right, what honors God, what builds faith, what shows love, what keeps you patient, and what makes you gentle. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Give everything you have to the fight of faith. Grab hold of the eternal life that God called you to, the same life you spoke about boldly in front of many witnesses. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give you this charge before God, who gives life to everything. I give it before Christ Jesus, who told the truth bravely in front of Pontius Pilate. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 Follow this command and keep it perfectly clean and above blame. Do this until the day our Lord Jesus Christ appears. That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15 God will make that day happen at exactly the right moment. He is the one true Ruler, full of blessing -- the King above all kings and Lord above all lords. Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 He alone can never die. He lives in light so bright that nobody can even come close to it. No human being has ever seen him or can see him. Honor and eternal power belong to him. Amen. Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Charge to the Rich and Final Warning
Study note
Paul gives final instructions for the wealthy: they must not be arrogant or place their hope in uncertain riches but in the living God who richly provides all things. They should be rich in good works, generous, and willing to share, thereby storing up a good foundation for eternity. Paul closes with a passionate plea for Timothy to guard what has been entrusted to him, avoiding godless chatter and false knowledge that has caused some to wander from the faith. His final word is a benediction of grace.
17 Tell people who are wealthy right now not to be snobbish about it. They should not count on their money, because it can disappear. Instead, they should trust the living God, who gives us everything we need to enjoy life. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 Tell them to use their wealth to do good things, to be loaded with kind deeds, to give freely, and to be ready to share. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 When they do this, they are saving up real treasure for the future -- the kind that leads to the life that truly matters. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
20 Timothy, protect what God has given you. Stay away from pointless talk and ideas that some people wrongly call knowledge. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
21 Some people followed that so-called knowledge and walked away from the faith entirely. May grace be with you. Amen. Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.