1
Timothy 6:1-8
GODLINESS
= TRUE CONTENTMENT
1
Timothy 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.
Susie: The
word for “servants” can be translated slave but in the Roman society, they were
more like indentured servants. Under the yoke does not necessarily imply
mistreatment but simply that they were indebted to and bound to their master.
Many times, these servants were better off than free men of the working class
because their housing, clothing, and food needs were taken care of by their
masters. In fact, Jesus uses the illustration that we need to come under His
yoke and allow Him to carry our burdens with us.
Matthew
11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light.
Susie: Paul
also addresses the servant and master relationship in Ephesians 6:5–9 and
Colossians 3:22–25.
Susan: Believers
should be faithful, diligent, respectful workers, eager to do our best. This is
a positive witness those within our influence, fellow employees as well as
employers.
1
Timothy 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.
Susie: Christians
should not take advantage of a master (supervisor, boss) who is a believer. We
should work all the more diligently because the person benefiting from our
efforts is a brother or sister in Christ.
Susan: Paul
advises Timothy to teach these principles to the believers under his leadership
in Ephesus.
Susie: A
strong work ethic (being on time, putting forth one’s best effort, not wasting
time, having integrity, etc.) is a strong testimony in the workplace.
1
Timothy 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;
Susie: Paul
identifies the marks of false teachers in this and the following two verses.
False teachers espouse things that are not true to the word of God and refuse
to listen to those who teach according to the Scripture. Their teachings and
their lives do not line up with godliness. In other words, they will be caught
in sin.
Susan: Sin is
words, thoughts, or deeds that do not line up with God’s word, will, and ways.
Susie: False
teachers often take Bible verses out of context or twist their meaning. One can
prove almost any point of view by cherry-picking verses and putting them
together. Always look up the verse quoted and
its surrounding context to make sure what is being taught is in line with the
whole counsel of God.
Susan: A wise
professor once taught me, “A text without a context is a pretext. It is
worthless.”
Susie: This
is why Susan and I prefer to study an entire book of the Bible or at least an
entire passage, rather than a topical study. When we do a topical study, we
strive not to base anything on isolated verses.
1
Timothy 6:4-5 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and
strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse
disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that
gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
Susie: Paul
lists several characteristics of these false teachers in verses four and
five—most of which speak for themselves—and some of the results of those kinds
of teachings. One of them jumped out at me for the first time: “supposing that
gain is godliness.”
1
Timothy 6:4-5 (CJB) he is swollen with conceit and understands nothing.
Instead, he has a morbid desire for controversies and word-battles, out of
which come jealousy, dissension, insults, evil suspicions, and constant
wrangling among people whose minds no longer function properly and who have
been deprived of the truth, so that they imagine that religion is a road to
riches.
Susie: Most
commentators and other translations see this statement as indicating that false
teachers are only in it for the money. That is one aspect. But I believe
another is the teaching that if a person is pursuing godliness, he or she will
be blessed with worldly riches. God is not obligated to make us wealthy in this
life as we will see in subsequent verses.
Susan: All
that these teachers would gain is short-lived, self-gratification, filling
their lust-filled, worldly minded appetites. They would be missing out on the
true blessings of knowing God Himself intimately and being the Father’s own
special treasure. The false teachers would be far better off being bartenders
than posing as ministers of the gospel.
Susie: Or
they would make great motivational speakers teaching self-talk, self-assurance,
self-awareness, and self-made success. Note what word is used! SELF! Any
teaching that puts a human in charge rather than trusting in God’s sovereign
plan for us is not true to scripture.
1
Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Susan: Godliness
is being separated out to be God’s treasure, His precious jewel.
Susie: Godliness
is being identified with Jesus not only in our speech but in our lives.
Susan: What
does contentment mean? 1 Timothy 6:6 is the only place in the entire Bible that
this specific Greek word is used:
The
New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible:
841 –
autarkēs – self-satisfaction, i.e. contentedness, or a competence. Contentment,
sufficiency.
Webster’s
1828 American Dictionary of the English Language:
Content;
a resting or satisfaction of mind without disquiet; acquiescence.
CONTENTMENT,
without external honor, is humility.
Godliness
with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6.
Susan: Contentment
means being at peace.
Susie: Godliness
may not lead to monetary riches, but it provides something much more
valuable—peace of mind.
Philippians
4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of
God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.
Susan: Godliness
leads to our own inner peace, but it also enables us to live at peace with
others:
Romans
12:18 (CJB) If possible, and to the extent that it depends on you, live in
peace with all people.
1
Timothy 6:7-8 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can
carry nothing out. And having food and
raiment let us be therewith content.
Susie: A baby
is born naked, owning nothing except what parents bestow. Ultimately, we have
nothing that has not been provided by God. When we leave our earth-suits
behind, we will take no worldly goods with us.
Matthew
6:20-21 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor
rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where
your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Susan: One’s
finances reveal where their heart and their treasure are.
Susie: Paul
says to be content with food and clothing. Does that mean we should never buy
other things such as books, TVs, cars, etc.?
Susan: No,
no, no, no, no! It only means Jesus
first, Others second, and Yourself last (JOY).
Susie: Ask
yourself, “If I suddenly lost everything and was left with only food, shelter,
clothing, and Jesus, could I be content?”
QUESTIONS
1. Why
should Christians exhibit a strong work ethic?
2. List
some characteristics of a false teacher.
3. Against
what standard should we check all teaching/preaching?
4. What
is a major red flag if seen in a “Christian” teacher?
5. Define
“godliness with contentment” in your own words.
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