1 Timothy
Chapter 6
On Slaves
Let all who are under the yoke of slavery show respect to their masters, so that no one may speak ill of God and his teachings.
Those who have believing masters should not show less respect, claiming they are church members. On the contrary, they should provide better service because they are doing good works on behalf of believers and are beloved. Teach and stress these things.
The Controversy Against False Teachers Continues
Whoever teaches differently from the sound teaching of our Lord Christ Jesus and true religious instruction,
is conceited and understands nothing. This one is obsessed with controversies and arguments that lead to envy, insults, physical fights,
and ongoing disputes among people with depraved minds, far from the truth. For them, religion is just a means of gain.
n reality, religion is a treasure if we are satisfied with what we have.
We entered the world with nothing and will leave it with nothing.
Let us therefore be content with food and clothing.
Those who seek wealth often fall into temptations and traps. Many foolish and harmful ambitions lead them to ruin and destruction.
Indeed, the love of money is the root of all evils. Because of this greed, some have strayed from the faith, bringing on themselves all kinds of afflictions.
Instructions to Timothy
But you, man of God, avoid all this. Aim to be holy and godly. Live with faith and love, along with patience and kindness.
Fight the good fight of the faith and win everlasting life, to which you were called when you made the good profession of faith in the presence of many witnesses.
In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Jesus Christ, who expressed before Pontius Pilate the authentic profession of faith:
preserve the message revealed to everyone. Keep yourself pure and blameless until the glorious coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord,
whom God will bring about at the proper time, the blessed and only ruler, King of kings and Lord of lords.
To him, alone immortal, who lives in unapproachable light, and whom no one has ever seen or can see, be honor and eternal power. Amen!
Postscript
Tell the wealthy not to be arrogant or rely on the uncertainty of wealth. Instead, encourage them to trust in God, who generously provides everything we need for our happiness.
Tell them to do good, be rich in good deeds, and be generous; let them share with others.
In this manner, they will accumulate a solid capital for the future and gain true life.
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you; avoid useless and profane words, as well as discussions stemming from what is falsely called knowledge.
Some have lost faith in accepting such knowledge. Grace be with all of you.
Commentaries
On Slaves.
The author’s recommendations must be understood in context. Slavery was a fact that Christians at that time could do nothing about, neither socially nor politically, just as the Church today is socially and politically powerless in the face of present-day forms of slavery, which are just as harmful, if not more so. Equality, “in Christ there is neither master nor slave” (Gal 3:28), was already being practiced by those believers as part of the great evangelical revolution transforming their lives. Rather than condemning or engaging in civil disobedience against the established order of that era, it was the witness of mutual love—even among slaves for their masters, who were also deserving of love—that exemplified the countercultural, alternative life offered by the Christian communities of the first centuries.
The Controversy Against False Teachers Continues.
This controversy, which has appeared throughout the letter, now centers on the fundamental root from which all behavior of those “mentally corrupt people, alien to the truth” (5) who caused so many problems in the community arises: those who think that religion is just a means of gain” (5). The desire for profit undermines the credibility of the Gospel message. It is no coincidence that Paul always aimed to clearly demonstrate his disinterest in material possessions (cf. Phil 4:12) and his resolve to earn his living by the work of his own hands without being a burden to anyone or using privileges for his apostolic mission (cf. 1 Cor 9:1-17). This example of detachment can only be truly lived out through love and the strength of Jesus Christ: “I can do all things in him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).
Instructions to Timothy.
Among the personal qualities of a man of God and community leader, in addition to those already mentioned in 4:12, he includes traits primarily attributed to God in the Old Testament… “patience, kindness” (11). But as the community leader, his primary duty is to protect and uphold sound doctrine: “I charge you preserve the message pure and blameless” (14). Christians do not merely believe in doctrines but in a Person, Jesus of Nazareth, who remains alive and present in the community, calling it together and caring for it through its representatives. And so it will be until the final day, “until the glorious coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (14).
Postscript.
As if he had forgotten something while dictating or reviewing the writing, the author adds two more exhortations. One is directed to the wealthy in the community, telling them that wealth is only good when it is shared and used to help the needy. Finally, with the urgency of his last recommendations, he returns once more to the letter’s central theme: “guard what has been entrusted to you” (20), to sound doctrine. Although the letter is addressed to Timothy, it includes the whole community: “Grace be with all of you” (21).