The Apostle gives rules for the treatment of the slaves who rendered service in the households of that time. If the slave was in the household of a heathen master, he must honor and glorify Christ by being respectful and obedient; but if the master was a Christian, and therefore a brother in the Lord, he was still required to yield courteous and willing service. Service rendered for the love of God must not be inferior to that rendered from fear of man.
There were many false teachers in the early Church, the chief aim of whom was to make money. They were proud and distempered, jealous and suspicious, juggling with words and given to splitting hairs. Godliness truly is great gain. It makes us content with what we have, and it opens to us stores of blessedness which the wealth of a Croesus could not buy. It is good to have just what is necessary. More than that breeds anxiety. Let us leave the provision for our needs with God. He is pledged to give food and covering, the latter including shelter. Not money, but the love of it opens the sluices and floodgates of the soul, through which wash the destroying waters of passion that drown men in destruction and perdition. Remember that you can carry nothing out of this world except your character. [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Timothy 6
1Of the duty of servants 3Not to have fellowship with newfangled teachers 6Godliness is great gain; 10and love of money the root of all evil 11What Timothy is to flee, and what to follow 17and whereof to admonish the rich 20To keep the purity of true doctrine, and to avoid godless ideas
Greek Commentary for 1 Timothy 6:6
With contentment [μετα αυταρκειας] Old word from αυταρκης autarkēs (αυτοσ αρκεω autosarkeō) as in Philemon 4:11. In N.T. only here and 2 Corinthians 9:8. This attitude of mind is Paul‘s conception of “great gain.” [source]
Contentment [αὐταρκείας] Only here and 2 Corinthians 9:8. The adjective αὐτάρκης self-sufficient Philemon 4:11. Comp. Sirach 40:18. Αὐτάρκεια is an inward self-sufficiency, as opposed to the lack or the desire of outward things. It was a favorite Stoic word, expressing the doctrine of that sect that a man should be sufficient unto himself for all things, and able, by the power of his own will, to resist the force of circumstances. In Ps. of Song of Solomon 5:18, we read: “Blessed is the man whom God remembereth with a sufficiency convenient for him” ( ἐν συμμετρίᾳ αὐταρκεσίας ); that is, with a sufficiency proportioned to his needs. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Timothy 6:6
2 Corinthians 9:8Sufficiency [αὐτάρκειαν] Only here and 1 Timothy 6:6. The kindred adjective αὐταρκης A.V., content, occurs Philemon 4:11(see note). The word properly means self-sufficiency, and is one of those which show Paul's acquaintance with Stoicism, and the influence of its vocabulary upon his own. It expressed the Stoic conception of the wise man as being sufficient in himself, wanting nothing and possessing everything. Here, not in the sense of sufficiency of worldly goods, but of that moral quality, bound up with self-consecration and faith, which renders the new self in Christ independent of external circumstances. [source]
2 Corinthians 9:8All sufficiency [πασαν αυταρκειαν] Old word from αυταρκης autarkēs (Philemon 4:11), common word, in N.T. only here and 1 Timothy 6:6). The use of this word shows Paul‘s acquaintance with Stoicism. Paul takes this word of Greek philosophy and applies it to the Christian view of life as independent of circumstances. But he does not accept the view of the Cynics in the avoidance of society. Note threefold use of “all” here (εν παντι παντοτε πασαν en pantipantotepāsan in everything, always, all sufficiency). [source]
Philippians 4:11Content [αὐτάρκης] Lit., self-sufficient. Only here in the New Testament. A stoic word, expressing the favorite doctrine of the sect, that man should be sufficient to himself for all things; able, by the power of his own will, to resist the shock of circumstance. Paul is self-sufficient through the power of the new self: not he, but Christ in him. The kindred noun αὐταρκεία sufficiencyoccurs 2 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Timothy 6:6. [source]
Philippians 4:11To be content [αυταρκης ειναι] Predicate nominative with the infinitive of the old adjective αυταρκης autarkēs (from αυτος autos and αρκεω arkeō to be self-sufficient), self-sufficing. Favourite word with the Stoics, only here in N.T., though αυταρκεια autarkeia occurs in 2 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Timothy 6:6. Paul is contented with his lot and he learned that lesson long ago. Socrates said as to who is wealthiest: “He that is content with least, for αυταρκεια autarkeia is nature‘s wealth.” [source]
Philippians 4:11I have learned [εματον] Simply, “I did learn” (constative second aorist active indicative of μαντανω manthanō to learn, looking at his long experience as a unit. In whatsoever state I am (εν οις ειμι en hois eimi). “In what things (circumstances) I am.” To be content Predicate nominative with the infinitive of the old adjective αυταρκης autarkēs (from αυτος autos and αρκεω arkeō to be self-sufficient), self-sufficing. Favourite word with the Stoics, only here in N.T., though αυταρκεια autarkeia occurs in 2 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Timothy 6:6. Paul is contented with his lot and he learned that lesson long ago. Socrates said as to who is wealthiest: “He that is content with least, for αυταρκεια autarkeia is nature‘s wealth.” [source]
1 Timothy 6:5Gain is godliness [πορισμὸν εἶναι τὴν εὐσέβειαν] Wrong. Rend. that godliness is a way (or source ) of gain. Πορισμὸς , only here and 1 Timothy 6:6, is a gain-making business. See Wisd. 13:19; 14:2. They make religion a means of livelihood. Comp. Titus 1:11. [source]
1 Timothy 6:8Covering [σκεπασματα] Plural, “coverings.” Late word from σκεπαζω skepazō to cover. Here only in N.T. We shall be content (αρκεστησομετα arkesthēsometha). First future passive of αρκεω arkeō to be content. Old word. See note on 2 Corinthians 12:9. This is the αυταρκεια autarkeia of 1 Timothy 6:6. There with Associative instrumental case, “with these.” [source]
Greek Commentary for 1 Timothy 6:6
Old word from αυταρκης autarkēs (αυτοσ αρκεω autosarkeō) as in Philemon 4:11. In N.T. only here and 2 Corinthians 9:8. This attitude of mind is Paul‘s conception of “great gain.” [source]
Only here and 2 Corinthians 9:8. The adjective αὐτάρκης self-sufficient Philemon 4:11. Comp. Sirach 40:18. Αὐτάρκεια is an inward self-sufficiency, as opposed to the lack or the desire of outward things. It was a favorite Stoic word, expressing the doctrine of that sect that a man should be sufficient unto himself for all things, and able, by the power of his own will, to resist the force of circumstances. In Ps. of Song of Solomon 5:18, we read: “Blessed is the man whom God remembereth with a sufficiency convenient for him” ( ἐν συμμετρίᾳ αὐταρκεσίας ); that is, with a sufficiency proportioned to his needs. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Timothy 6:6
Only here and 1 Timothy 6:6. The kindred adjective αὐταρκης A.V., content, occurs Philemon 4:11(see note). The word properly means self-sufficiency, and is one of those which show Paul's acquaintance with Stoicism, and the influence of its vocabulary upon his own. It expressed the Stoic conception of the wise man as being sufficient in himself, wanting nothing and possessing everything. Here, not in the sense of sufficiency of worldly goods, but of that moral quality, bound up with self-consecration and faith, which renders the new self in Christ independent of external circumstances. [source]
Old word from αυταρκης autarkēs (Philemon 4:11), common word, in N.T. only here and 1 Timothy 6:6). The use of this word shows Paul‘s acquaintance with Stoicism. Paul takes this word of Greek philosophy and applies it to the Christian view of life as independent of circumstances. But he does not accept the view of the Cynics in the avoidance of society. Note threefold use of “all” here (εν παντι παντοτε πασαν en pantipantotepāsan in everything, always, all sufficiency). [source]
Lit., self-sufficient. Only here in the New Testament. A stoic word, expressing the favorite doctrine of the sect, that man should be sufficient to himself for all things; able, by the power of his own will, to resist the shock of circumstance. Paul is self-sufficient through the power of the new self: not he, but Christ in him. The kindred noun αὐταρκεία sufficiencyoccurs 2 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Timothy 6:6. [source]
Predicate nominative with the infinitive of the old adjective αυταρκης autarkēs (from αυτος autos and αρκεω arkeō to be self-sufficient), self-sufficing. Favourite word with the Stoics, only here in N.T., though αυταρκεια autarkeia occurs in 2 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Timothy 6:6. Paul is contented with his lot and he learned that lesson long ago. Socrates said as to who is wealthiest: “He that is content with least, for αυταρκεια autarkeia is nature‘s wealth.” [source]
Simply, “I did learn” (constative second aorist active indicative of μαντανω manthanō to learn, looking at his long experience as a unit. In whatsoever state I am (εν οις ειμι en hois eimi). “In what things (circumstances) I am.” To be content Predicate nominative with the infinitive of the old adjective αυταρκης autarkēs (from αυτος autos and αρκεω arkeō to be self-sufficient), self-sufficing. Favourite word with the Stoics, only here in N.T., though αυταρκεια autarkeia occurs in 2 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Timothy 6:6. Paul is contented with his lot and he learned that lesson long ago. Socrates said as to who is wealthiest: “He that is content with least, for αυταρκεια autarkeia is nature‘s wealth.” [source]
Wrong. Rend. that godliness is a way (or source ) of gain. Πορισμὸς , only here and 1 Timothy 6:6, is a gain-making business. See Wisd. 13:19; 14:2. They make religion a means of livelihood. Comp. Titus 1:11. [source]
A phrase peculiar to the Pastorals. Ὑγιαίνειν tobe in good health, Luke 5:31; Luke 7:10; 3 John 1:2. oP. Quite frequent in lxx, and invariably in the literal sense. Often in salutations or dismissals. 2 Timothy 3:1-9; 2Samuel href="/desk/?q=2sa+14:8&sr=1">2 Samuel 14:8; Exodus 4:18. In the Pastorals, the verb, which occurs eight times, is six times associated with διδασκαλία teachingor λόγοι wordsand twice with ἐν τῇ πίστει or τῇ πίστει inthe faith. The sound teaching (comp. διδαχή teaching 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9) which is thus commended is Paul's, who teaches in Christ's name and by his authority (2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:8). In all the three letters it is called ἀλη.θεια or ἡ ἀλήθεια thetruth, the knowledge ( ἐπίγνωσις ) of which is bound up with salvation. See 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Timothy 2:25; 2 Timothy 3:7; Titus 1:1. As truth it is sound or healthful. It is the object of faith. To be sound in the faith is, practically, to follow ( παρακολουθεῖν ) sound teaching or the truth. The subjective characteristic of Christians is εὐσέβεια or θεοσέβεια godlinessor piety (1 Timothy 2:2, 1 Timothy 2:10; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Timothy 4:7, 1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Timothy 6:6, 1 Timothy 6:11); and the teaching and knowledge of the truth are represented as κατ ' εὐσέβειαν accordingto godliness (1 Timothy 6:3; Titus 1:1). Comp. εὐσεβεῖν toshow piety, 1 Timothy 5:4. εὐσεβῶς ζῇν to live godly, 2 Timothy 3:12; Titus 2:12; and βίον διάγειν ἐν πάσῃ εὐσεβείᾳ tolead a life in all godliness, 1 Timothy 2:2. The contents of this sound teaching which is according to godliness are not theoretical or dogmatic truth, but Christian ethics, with faith and love. See 1 Timothy 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:15; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:10; Titus 2:2. Ἁλήθεια truthis used of moral things, rather than in the high religious sense of Paul. Comp., for instance, Romans 3:7; Romans 9:1; 1 Corinthians 5:8; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 11:10; Galatians 2:5; Ephesians 4:21, Ephesians 4:24; and 2 Timothy 2:25, 2 Timothy 2:26; 2 Timothy 3:7(comp. See 9:19); 2 Timothy 4:3, 2 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:12(comp. Titus 1:11, Titus 1:15); Titus 2:4(comp. Titus 2:1, Titus 2:3); Titus 3:1. Whoever grasps the truth has faith (2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:18; 2 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:3f.). That the ethical character of faith is emphasized, appears from the numerous expressions regarding the false teachers, as 1 Timothy 1:19; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 5:8, 1 Timothy 5:12; 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 Timothy 6:21. There is a tendency to objectify faith, regarding it as something believed rather than as the act of believing. See 1 Timothy 1:19; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 Timothy 6:21; Titus 1:4. In comparing the ideal of righteousness (1 Timothy 1:9) with that of Paul, note that it is not denied that Christ is the source of true righteousness; but according to Paul, the man who is not under the law is the man who lives by faith in Christ. Paul emphasizes this. It is faith in Christ which sets one free from the law. Here, the man for whom the law is not made (1 Timothy 1:9) is the man who is ethically conformed to the norm of sound teaching. The two conceptions do not exclude each other: the sound teaching is according to the gospel (1 Timothy 1:11), but the point of emphasis is shifted.| [source]
Plural, “coverings.” Late word from σκεπαζω skepazō to cover. Here only in N.T. We shall be content (αρκεστησομετα arkesthēsometha). First future passive of αρκεω arkeō to be content. Old word. See note on 2 Corinthians 12:9. This is the αυταρκεια autarkeia of 1 Timothy 6:6. There with Associative instrumental case, “with these.” [source]
First future passive of αρκεω arkeō to be content. Old word. See note on 2 Corinthians 12:9. This is the αυταρκεια autarkeia of 1 Timothy 6:6. [source]