1 Timothy 6

Teacher: Rusty Kennedy
​Series: 1 Timothy

Rusty's Notes

63 AD
- Some historians have estimated that half of the population of the Roman Empire was composed of slaves.

• Many of these people were educated and cultured, but legally they were not considered persons at all.
• The Gospel message of salvation and freedom in Christ appealed to the slaves, and many of them became believers.
• When slaves were able to get away from their household duties, they would fellowship in local assemblies where being a slave was not a handicap (Gal. 3:28).
• But there was a problem: Some slaves used their newfound freedom in Christ as an excuse to disobey, if not defy, their masters.
• They needed to learn that their spiritual freedom in Christ did not alter their social position, even though they were accepted graciously into the fellowship of the church.[1]

 
1 Timothy 6
1 All who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters to be worthy of all respect, so that God’s name and His teaching will not be blasphemed.

• Paul is encouraging Christian slaves to be role models for the unbelieving masters.
• God’s kindness leads to repentance.

2 Those who have believing masters should not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but should serve them better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.

• Sometimes we believe because we are working for a Christian boss that we don’t have to work as hard.
• We have the same rights that they do because we are both believers.
• We should have the desire to serve believing masters even more than others.

 
Teach and encourage these things. 3 If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness,

• 1) They must teach the Bible.
• Isaiah 8:20 - To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there will be no dawn for them.[2]
• They are totally in the dark.
• Everything has to filter through the 66 books.
• Don’t believe what I am saying.
• Filter my notes, interpretation and opinions.
• “Hacksaw Ridge” – “Murder is worst sin of them all. It is an abomination to the Lord.”
• Immediately discussed as false after the movie.

4 he is conceited, understanding nothing, but has a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words.

• 2) There is an attitude that is conveyed.
• Proud vs humble
• Brain vs heart
• Argumentative vs listening and instructing
• Conceited, ignorant and desired confrontation over the little things.
• This attitude destroys any sense of community.

From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain.

• The heretics viewed religion as a means of making a quick dollar.
• In character they were greedy and materialistic.
• Paul’s strong words described false teachers who exploited the church for their own ends without caring about the havoc they created[3]
• Do you not think Satan uses the same tactic today?
• One of the top reasons men don’t come to church.
• The church is always needing their next dollar.

6 But godliness with contentment is a great gain.

• Financial guys in the room.
• They have much more to offer than growing your account.
• There is a spirit about them.
• Even Cory, moving up to accelerated level.
• Ecclesiastes 1:18 - For with much wisdom is much sorrow; as knowledge increases, grief increases. [4]

7 For we brought nothing into the world,
and we can take nothing out.

• Job, David & Solomon all said this.

8 But if we have food and clothing,
we will be content with these.

• What is our level of contentment?
• “What do you want for Christmas?” “I’m good”
• Too many of us know the “price of everything and the value of nothing.”
• We are so glutted with luxuries that we have forgotten how to enjoy our necessities.[5]

9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

• It is a dangerous thing to use religion as a cover-up for acquiring wealth.
• God’s laborer is certainly worthy of his hire (1 Tim. 5:17–18), but his motive for laboring must not be money.[6]
• “A” root… my trees have multiple roots.
• Where does that craving come from?...

 
11 But you (utter contrast), man of God (identity), run from these things,

1. The word “flee” that Paul used here did not refer to literal running, but to Timothy’s separating himself from the sins of the false teachers.[7]

and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith,
love, endurance, and gentleness.

1. Separation without positive growth becomes isolation.[8]

• Character and conduct
• Gentleness… it is through kindness…

12 Fight the good fight for the faith;

• Present tense… continuous struggle.
• Who is this fight with?
• Ask this question every time you get in an argument?
• Who is real struggle against?
• The evil one

take hold of eternal life
that you were called to
and have made a good confession about
in the presence of many witnesses.

• Paul was encouraging Timothy to fight through his timidity.

13 In the presence of God, who gives life to all, and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you 14 to keep the command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Like a commander in the military giving orders.

15 God will bring this about in His own time. He is
the blessed and only Sovereign,
the King of kings,
and the Lord of lords,
16 the only One who has immortality (not subject to death),
dwelling in unapproachable light;
no one has seen or can see Him,
to Him be honor and eternal might.
•Amen.

• Exodus 33:18-23 - 18 Then Moses said, “Please, let me see Your glory.”

19 He said, “I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim the name Yahweh before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” 20 But He answered, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.” 21 The Lord said, “Here is a place near Me. You are to stand on the rock, 22 and when My glory passes by, I will put you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take My hand away, and you will see My back, but My face will not be seen.” [9]

• Colossians 1:27 – God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.[10]

17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good reserve for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life that is real.

• Share with me your stories of this passage…
• Paul closes his letter to Timothy with this…

20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding irreverent, empty speech and contradictions from the “knowledge” that falsely bears that name. 21 By professing it, some people have deviated from the faith.

• This is a great week for us to be reminded of our conversations and in who we put our trust.

Grace be with all of you.[11]

• It is with us.

Receive it and share it.

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 233–234). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Is 8:20). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 167). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[4] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ec 1:18). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 235). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 235). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 235–236). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 236). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[9] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ex 33:18–23). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Col 1:27). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (1 Ti 6:1–21). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.