1
All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and our teaching may not be spoken against.

2
If their masters are believers, let them not be held in less esteem because they are brothers in Christ, but let them serve them all the more, because the one who receives the benefit of their service is a believing and beloved brother.

(6-2b) Teach and exhort all these things.

3
If anyone teaches another doctrine and does not agree with sound words — namely, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ — and with the teaching that accords with our godliness,

4
he is conceited, though he understands nothing. His sickness is a craving for disputes and word battles, which give rise to envy, injury, slander, suspicion,

5
and quarrels among people whose minds are no longer sound and who have lost the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

6
Indeed, godliness with contentment is great gain.

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

8
If we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

9
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction.

10
For the root of all evil is the love of money. By craving money, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

11
But you, O man of God, flee from all these things; pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, patience, and gentleness.

12
Fight the good fight of faith and lay hold of eternal life. To this you were called, and you made the good confession before many witnesses.

13
Before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who also made the good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you:

14
Keep this command without spot and without blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15
the appearing that will be made known at the proper time by the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

16
He alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, and indeed no human can see Him. To Him be honor and everlasting power! Amen.

17
Warn those who are rich in this present world not to be proud and not to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

18
Warn them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,

19
and in this way to lay up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

20
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid empty talk and what is falsely called knowledge, and the contradictions that come from it,

21
for some have professed it and so have strayed from the faith. Grace be with you!

📖 1 Timothy 6 – Living Right and Not Bound to Worldly Wealth

🧾 Summary of Contents

This chapter contains Paul’s counsel to Timothy regarding the attitude of slaves toward their masters, a warning against false teachers and the love of money, and a call for believers to pursue a righteous life, full of faith and love. Paul also gives a special warning to the rich not to be proud and to use their wealth for good.

📘 Verse-by-Verse Explanation

✨ Main Teachings

1. Live with honor and humility
   Believers are invited to honor all people within their social setting, including when they are in a lowly position such as servants.
2. Beware of love of money and false teachers
   Paul affirms that the love of money brings many troubles. Wealth is not the main goal of the life of Christ’s followers.
3. The call to pursue righteousness and godliness
   Timothy (and all believers) are invited to focus on godly character, not on worldly success.
4. The rich must be responsible
   Wealth is a blessing, but also a responsibility. The rich are called to use their possessions for good and not become proud.
5. Guard the faith and avoid misleading teaching
   The closing of this letter reminds us to keep our focus on true faith, not on empty intellectual speculation that does not build up.

💡 Spiritual Meaning

This chapter teaches that wealth and worldly status are not measures of spiritual success. Rather, godliness with contentment is great gain (verse 6). Paul also wants to show that true faith calls for a life that is clean, loving, and responsible, including in matters of money and service to others.

✨ Key Verse

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some, by craving it, have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”
(1 Timothy 6:10)