1 TIMOTHY 6:1-8 - GODLLINESS = TRUE CONTENTMENT

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.