INTERNET BIBLE STUDIES I Timothy Lesson 6
Contact: David Parham 940-322-4343

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I Timothy Chapter 6 

Memory verses for this week:  Mark 11:24  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

 

Introduction:  In chapter 5, we studied about how the pastor should deal with the men and women of the church, and also how we should deal in our relationships one with another.  We covered the churches responsibilities towards widows in the church, and how that we should help them if they were truly alone in the world and without a family to help them.   Paul admonished young Timothy to not rebuke an elder, and to treat the older women with respect like a Mother.    He also taught that we are not to listen to accusations against our pastor except in the presence of 2 or 3 witnesses.  This week we close our study on I Timothy as see the relationship that should exist between masters and servants.  This teaching can also relate to employers and employees.

I.  Slaves and Masters

1 Tim 6:1  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.

1 Tim 6:2  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.

The servant or slave was to count his master worthy of honor.   In so honoring his master, the name of God and His doctrine would not be blasphemed.   If it so happened that your master was also a Christian, he was not be despised because the two of them were brethren.   When a person is saved, they are freed from the bondage of sin.   But in the case of a slave, that person was still required to serve their master.   Rather, he was commanded to be a faithful servant.   We as Christians are truly bought with a price, and we should glorify God as a servant unto Him every day of our lives.

1 Cor 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

II.  Concern for Biblical Doctrinal Teaching

1 Tim 6:3  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;

1 Tim 6:4  He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

1 Tim 6:5  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Even in Paul’s day, soon after the beginning of the church, some were already teaching false doctrine.  And we should not be surprised today when we see false doctrines being taught in churches today.  It says a person who teaches words that are contrary to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, is a person who is proud and truly knows nothing.   The end of this man’s ways are envy, strife, railings, and evil surmisings.   Some of these who taught this way were probably seeking financial gain.    We have many on the television and radio who are very conscious of raising money.   I’m not saying all ministries who teach and preach in the media are bad, but many are truly there to raise money, not for God’s work, but for their own financial gain.   As these slaves were commanded, you and I need to turn from those who teach like this, and seek after the wholesome words of the bible.

III.  Godliness with Contentment is Great Gain

1 Tim 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Tim 6:7  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

1 Tim 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

So many seminars and teachings go on each week to teach us how to succeed and to be happy.   Most are geared towards making a lot of money so that we can have all the things we might desire.  But I know this, no matter how many things we may acquire, there will always be something else the Devil can put before us that we can lust after.  Paul tells young Timothy that godliness with contentment is great gain.  This does not promise great riches, but it does promise happiness and contentment.   A Christian may not have much money, but he or she is still rich because they a child of the Heavenly Father.  Only God can give us that true peace that passes all knowledge.  Do you remember what Jesus taught about having great gain?

Mark 8:35  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

Mark 8:36  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Mark 8:37  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

When Gain is the main focus on our minds, most of the time, God is left out.

James 4:13  Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

James 4:14  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

James 4:15  For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

James 4:16  But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

James 4:17  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Verses 7 and 8 teach that we brought nothing into this world and we will take nothing out.  But with food and clothing, we should be satisfied.  I once heard a far fetched little story about a rich man who had his coffin filled up with gold and he appeared before the judgment with these gold bars.  In the story, an angel said, “Why did you bring all of this pavement with you?”   It is a cute joke, and the streets in heaven are made with pure gold the bible teaches.  The only sad thing is that anyone who had so much confidence in money would be very unlikely to be entering into heaven.  

Mat 19:23  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 19:24  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than fo r a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Mat 19:25  When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Mat 19:26  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

This is not teaching that rich people can not be saved, but rather that the riches will blind their need for a savior.  When we rely on self or possessions to take care of us, we will have no hope of entering into Heaven.  Jesus is the one and only way to be saved and come into the presence of God.   When we look to God for everything, the other things we desire and need will be added unto us the bible promises.

Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Mat 6:34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

IV.  The Man Minded to be Rich

1 Tim 6:9  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.

1 Tim 6:10  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.

Note that verse nine say they that ‘will be rich’ fall into temptation and a snare.  This implies a desire and will to be rich more than any other thing.   It says this leads many into foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.  The things that should be important are not really of much concern to the person set on riches.  Love of home, family, and country is not in the heart.  Happiness and the things of God like righteousness and mercy are trampled under foot in the race to get another dollar.  Some claim that money is the root of all evil, but the bible clearly states that the ‘LOVE’ of money is the root of all evil.  Having money to pay our bills and provide for our families is good, but putting that love at the top and making it the most important thing of our lives causes money to be an idol to us.  Anything, including money, that gets between us and our service for the Lord is an idol.  Verse 10 says some have coveted after money and erred from the faith.  When we put money first in life, we may resort to lying, embezzlement, theft, robbery, possibly even murder to acquire more money.   And if you talk to a rich person, their eyes are never satisfied.  The millionaire wants another million, and as they stack up, he then wants to become a billionaire.  Few who have great riches have the peace that the child of God has by our simple faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  We may not have much of this worlds goods, but we have a Heavenly Father who will never leave us nor forsake us.

Acts 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:  17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. 19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,  20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,  [1]

Note that these men were not happy for the girl to be freed from the evil spirit, but were concerned just that their ability to make gain from her had been removed.   Many seeking riches do not care if others are treated fairly as long as they profit.  When an evil business is interrupted, there is great intolerance to those who stopped their profit.

V.  Instructions to the Man of God

1 Tim 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

1 Tim 6:12  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.

The man of God is exhorted to flee those things mentioned above (such as the love of money) and to seek after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness.  These are all good things that every Christian should seek after and desire.  Paul goes on further and urges Timothy to fight the good fight of faith.   Today, we need more good men and women who will really get into the battle and fight a good fight.

The King James Study Bible said this about verse 11:

6:11. Flee these things means shun a love for money (v. 10) and the striving for material wealth (v. 9) with all its resulting woes. Follow after means pursue. Righteousness is practical correctness, conforming to God’s will in one’s thinking and acting. Godliness is proper reverence for, and obedience to, God. Faith is a trust in God that grows stronger. Love is a maturing affection for God and man. Patience is perseverance or steadfastness in life and service. Meekness is gentleness.  [2]

1 Tim 6:13  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;

1 Tim 6:14  That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

He charges Timothy before God to keep the commandments and remain faithful unto the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus had a great confession as he stood before Pilate being judged of the things the religious leaders had accused Him of.

John 19: 10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. 

1 Tim 6:15  Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

1 Tim 6:16  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.

When Jesus appears the second time, many things will be revealed.   We will find that Jesus is the one and only blessed Potentate, not a religious leader of some church.  He truly is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.    Without Christ, we mortals have no hope.  But if we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He gives us immortality, and new body, fashioned after His glorified body.

Phil 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Phil 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Phil 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Phil 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Phil 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Phil 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Phil 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

VI.  They That are Rich

1 Tim 6:17  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;

1 Tim 6:18  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

1 Tim 6:19  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Timothy was told to charge the rich that they trust not in themselves more than they ought.  The reality is that all of us come into this world as lost sinners.   Some remain until death and go into eternal punishment, whereas others come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.  But coming to Christ requires humility and a willingness to acknowledge that we are lost and undone, and can not in ourselves do anything that will make us right before God.  So many trust in riches and expect that to get them through anything.  But salvation is not for sale.  It cost God the ultimate price, the death of His only Begotten Son on Calvary.   But because Jesus paid the debt, we can have salvation freely when we come to God in faith and repentance.   Verse 18 says the living God gives us all things to enjoy.  I know that to be true.  Many times we get much more than we need, but God loves us and even provides for our wants.  Verse 18 shows that the rich can truly be saved.  The command is for them to do good and to be rich in good works.  This means having a heart full of love and concern for others, giving not only time and effort, but of our resources.   He said always ready to distribute and willing to communicate.   When we meet new people, we should do our best to tell them about Jesus Christ.  If those Timothy taught did these things, God promises that they will lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come.   We all know that there is only one true foundation, and that is the bedrock of our faith, Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 3:10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

1 Cor 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

VII.  Final Words

1 Tim 6:20  O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

1 Tim 6:21  Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

Paul charges him to keep that which was committed to his trust.   When a man is called into the ministry, he is given a charge to go forth and to preach the whole word of God without fear of man.   And Paul wants him to do that… and to ignore the vain babblings and oppositions of science.    Some turn to man’s wisdom, but the true man of God will stand to the things of the Lord.  They are unmoveable, and unchanging.   Praise God.

 

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Prov 4:18  But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

 

e-mail at:   davidparham@cst.net

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