Honor Masters

Let as many (A)bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

Error and Greed

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to (B)wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, (C)and to the [a]doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, [b]useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. [c]From (D)such withdraw yourself.

Now godliness with (E)contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, [d]and it is (F)certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be (G)content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The Good Confession

11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus (H)who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only [e]Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in (I)unapproachable light, (J)whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

Instructions to the Rich

17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain (K)riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things (L)to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 (M)storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Guard the Faith

20 O Timothy! (N)Guard what was committed to your trust, (O)avoiding the profane and [f]idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— 21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.

Grace be with you. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 6:3 teaching
  2. 1 Timothy 6:5 NU, M constant friction
  3. 1 Timothy 6:5 NU omits the rest of v. 5.
  4. 1 Timothy 6:7 NU omits and it is certain
  5. 1 Timothy 6:15 Sovereign
  6. 1 Timothy 6:20 empty chatter

Let as many servants as are under the yoke of slavery count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be slandered. Let those who have believing masters not despise them, because they are brothers. Instead, let them serve as slaves, because those who receive their service are faithful and beloved.

False Teaching and True Wealth

Teach and command these things. Anyone who teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to godly doctrine is conceited and knows nothing. He has a morbid disposition for controversy and verbal disputes, from which come envy, strife, blasphemies, evil speculations, constant disputes by men of corrupt minds, being destitute of the truth, and supposing that financial gain is godliness. Withdraw yourself from such men.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with these things. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and harmful lusts, which drown men in ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil. While coveting after money, some have strayed from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The Good Fight of Faith

11 But you, O man of God, escape these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, to which you are called and have professed a good profession before many witnesses. 13 I command you, in the sight of God, who gives life to all things, and in the sight of Christ Jesus, who testified a good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 to keep this commandment without blemish, blameless until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will reveal at the proper time. 16 He alone has immortality, living in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen, nor can see. To Him be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

17 Command those who are rich in this world that they not be conceited, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who richly gives us all things to enjoy. 18 Command that they do good, that they be rich in good works, generous, willing to share, 19 and laying up in store for themselves a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of eternal life.

20 O Timothy, guard that which is committed to your trust. Avoid profane babblings and opposing views from so-called knowledge. 21 By professing it, some have erred concerning the faith.

Grace be with you. Amen.

Todos los que están bajo el yugo de esclavitud, tengan a sus amos por dignos de todo honor, para que no sea blasfemado el nombre de Dios y la doctrina. Y los que tienen amos creyentes, no los tengan en menos por ser hermanos, sino sírvanles mejor, por cuanto son creyentes y amados los que se benefician de su buen servicio. Esto enseña y exhorta.

Piedad y contentamiento

Si alguno enseña otra cosa, y no se conforma a las sanas palabras de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, y a la doctrina que es conforme a la piedad, está envanecido, nada sabe, y delira acerca de cuestiones y contiendas de palabras, de las cuales nacen envidias, pleitos, blasfemias, malas sospechas, disputas necias de hombres corruptos de entendimiento y privados de la verdad, que toman la piedad como fuente de ganancia; apártate de los tales. Pero gran ganancia es la piedad acompañada de contentamiento; porque nada hemos traído a este mundo, y sin duda nada podremos sacar. Así que, teniendo sustento y abrigo, estemos contentos con esto. Porque los que quieren enriquecerse caen en tentación y lazo, y en muchas codicias necias y dañosas, que hunden a los hombres en destrucción y perdición; 10 porque raíz de todos los males es el amor al dinero, el cual codiciando algunos, se extraviaron de la fe, y fueron traspasados de muchos dolores.

La buena batalla de la fe

11 Mas tú, oh hombre de Dios, huye de estas cosas, y sigue la justicia, la piedad, la fe, el amor, la paciencia, la mansedumbre. 12 Pelea la buena batalla de la fe, echa mano de la vida eterna, a la cual asimismo fuiste llamado, habiendo hecho la buena profesión delante de muchos testigos. 13 Te mando delante de Dios, que da vida a todas las cosas, y de Jesucristo, que dio testimonio de la buena profesión delante de Poncio Pilato,(A) 14 que guardes el mandamiento sin mácula ni reprensión, hasta la aparición de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, 15 la cual a su tiempo mostrará el bienaventurado y solo Soberano, Rey de reyes, y Señor de señores, 16 el único que tiene inmortalidad, que habita en luz inaccesible; a quien ninguno de los hombres ha visto ni puede ver, al cual sea la honra y el imperio sempiterno. Amén.

17 A los ricos de este siglo manda que no sean altivos, ni pongan la esperanza en las riquezas, las cuales son inciertas, sino en el Dios vivo, que nos da todas las cosas en abundancia para que las disfrutemos. 18 Que hagan bien, que sean ricos en buenas obras, dadivosos, generosos; 19 atesorando para sí buen fundamento para lo por venir, que echen mano de la vida eterna.

Encargo final de Pablo a Timoteo

20 Oh Timoteo, guarda lo que se te ha encomendado, evitando las profanas pláticas sobre cosas vanas, y los argumentos de la falsamente llamada ciencia, 21 la cual profesando algunos, se desviaron de la fe. La gracia sea contigo. Amén.