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First Letter to Timothy - Chapter 6
- 1 - 5 Slavery was the normal source of energy in the Greek and Roman world. Paul was not going to attempt
to change it - it would do no more good than for us try giving up oil. The Christian approach was - and is -
to live in the world as good citizens in a Christian way. Paul seeks a practical consequence of the new
equality between master and slave (Gal 3:28): slaves should regard their masters with respect, not seeking to
gain advantage if their masters were believers, but serving them better because they are brothers in the Lord.
Both slave and master are responsible before God for their own duties and behaviour, just as are Paul and
Timothy - slaves of God (Titus 1:1). They should both work carefully at their new relationship, so that God
and Christian teaching should not be brought into disrepute (Cf Titus 2:10). Indeed Christianity was spread a
great deal through slaves, so their behaviour was important. Don't be pointlessly provocative or disruptive to
your neighbours by arguments about issues such as slavery. Abstract principles are not much help to
individuals in this situation. Building a Christian community is not easy - it is more than just a church-going
club. Arguing about the meanings of words leads to factions and makes such a task more difficult. Paul's
recommendation in such situations is not to walk away, but to present firm Christian teaching and
leadership. Don't be misled by false teaching. Nor thinking to gain by becoming a believer - not a true
understanding of religion - more on this below.
- 6 - 10 Clear indictment of western culture today, which seeks happiness through material riches. Godliness -
happiness - comes from being content to have what we need - not want - adequate food and clothing. Riches
simply lead to wanting more, and to sins trying to get more. The created world is full of good things - food,
sex &c - for our use and enjoyment: we should thank God for them and enjoy them suitably, neither
worshipping material things nor seeing them as evil.
- Much quoted but still valid: it is love of money that leads to evil, not money itself. It is the craving for riches
that can lead us astray. Difficult to think of any sin not caused ultimately by money - even if only the wares
offered us by others seeking to make money. Love of money - valuing wealth for its own sake - becomes
idolatry.
- 11 - 16 Formally addressed to Timothy, consecrated as a 'man of God', but also to all Christians: aim for
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Certainly a whole heap of good aims.
Meaning what? Paul clearly sees faith as a fight, it is a struggle to keep it, with all the distractions and
attractions around.
- A "royal appearing" - epiphany - in our country is a special occasion - even more so when the Roman
Emperor made an appearance with all his "divine" trappings. Paul faces this head on, even subversively:
Christians must prepare themselves for the "Royal Appearing" of Jesus Christ, the King of kings. This
epiphany is the only one that matters. It requires hard work, a struggle, to enlist in the Lord's service and to
be prepared to fight for our King. So these virtues are not merely "good behaviour" but have to be worked at
throughout life, we have to "get into shape". In contrast to the way of life of the rich portrayed above, we are
to keep our eyes on the future where we are called to go, not look around with envy at the material
possessions of others. We should flee from riches as we would from an animal that scares us (spider?), and
instead run after the Christian life. These virtues only come about if we work at them - then we discover that
we are beginning to live now the "life of the coming age - the eternal life". When you "sign up" at Baptism,
your "noble" declaration of faith before witnesses reminds you of Jesus' confession before Pilate (Jn 18:36-37 -
another aspect of Jesus' life in circulation long before this letter appears to have been written).
- Timothy is to keep himself "free from reproach" - "the commandment" is presumably that of loving God
and neighbour. Or possibly the tasks of leadership, teaching and preaching laid on him when he 'ordained'.
We are to remain faithful until the Lord comes - after that we will know, faith won't be needed, because
Jesus' appearing will be made clearly visible "at the proper time" by God himself. Vv 15-16 richest
doxology in NT. The 'only' Sovereign, from whom all others derive their power. Real sovereignty over all
rulers.
- In v16 Paul takes on Greek philosophy, which accepted an immortal soul which lived on after death. No,
says Paul, only God is immortal - of his nature, and can never be seen by man. For Paul, when human
beings (and angels) gain a new 'deathless' life, it is received only as a fresh gift of grace from God (cf 1 Cor
15:52). And it won't be as a disembodied soul, but as a new, risen body. Uniquely this doxology ascribes to
God 'power' rather than the usual 'glory'.
- 17 - 21 Now for the 4th group of believers: tell the rich not to be proud, especially in view of the well-known
uncertainties of wealth! But to turn to God for fulfilment in this life. Again good practicable advice, not just
give it all away, but use it for the good of others.
- Making a foundation for the next - real - life: not buying your way in - that has been done by Christ and we
gain it through baptism. But our way of living, whatever our station in life, prepares us for the next - real -
life. We each have to carve from our own block.
- What warm, caring concern: be careful, avoid chatter and search for false knowledge. Science tells us how
the world works, but not why it exists. Too much attention to knowledge can lead us astray from the real
issue, ie faith. A hint of argument against "Gnosticism" which developed in the next century. A belief in a
spark of knowledge which could be gained only by initiates, with endless arguments about its meaning.
Jesus calls us now to a new - resurrected - life, not to seek a secret one.
- A very abrupt ending - focussing the letter on Timothy and the requirement that he adhere to firm teaching.
Lots of practical advice, with grace for its application. Addressed to 'you' - plural - so intended to be read to
whole community.
