1 Timothy 6
Wycliffe Bible
6 Whatever servants be under yoke, deem they their lords worthy all honour, lest the name of the Lord and the doctrine be blasphemed[a].
2 And they that have faithful lords, despise them not, for they be brethren; but more serve they, for they be faithful and loved, which be partners of beneficence. Teach thou these things, and admonish thou these things.[b]
3 If any man teach otherwise, and accordeth not to the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to that teaching that is by piety [and to the teaching that is after piety],
4 he is proud, and knoweth nothing, but languisheth about questions and strivings of words [nothing knowing, but languishing about questions and fightings of words], of the which be brought forth envies, strives, blasphemies, evil suspicions,
5 fightings of men, that be corrupt in soul, and that be deprived from truth, that deem winning to be piety. [fightings of men corrupt in soul, or reason, and that be deprived from truth, deeming winning to be piety.]
6 But a great winning is piety, with sufficience.
7 For we brought in nothing into this world, and no doubt, that we be not able to bear any thing away. [Forsooth we brought nothing into this world, no doubt, for we may not bear away any thing.]
8 But we having foods, and with what things we shall be covered, be we satisfied with these things. [Forsooth having foods, and with what things we shall be clothed, with these things be we satisfied.]
9 For they that will be made rich, fall into temptation, and into the snare of the devil, and into many unprofitable desires and harmful, which drown men into death and perdition.
10 For the root of all evils is covetousness, which some men coveting erred from the faith, and besetted them(selves) with many sorrows [and beset them with many sorrows].
11 But, thou, man of God, flee these things; but follow thou rightwiseness [soothly follow thou rightwiseness], piety, faith, charity, patience, mildness.
12 Strive thou a good strife of faith, catch everlasting life, into which thou art called, and hast acknowledged a good acknowledging before many witnesses.
13 I command to thee before God, that quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, that yielded a witnessing under Pilate of Pontii, a good confession,
14 that thou keep the commandment without wem, without reproof [irreprehensible], [till] into the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ;
15 whom the blessed and alone almighty king of kings and Lord of lords shall show in his times.
16 Which alone hath undeadliness [The which alone hath immortality], and dwelleth in light, to which light no man may come; whom no man saw, neither may see; to whom glory, and honour, and empire be without end [to whom glory, and honour, and empire into without end]. Amen.
17 Command thou to the rich men of this world, that they understand not highly, neither that they hope in uncertainty of riches[c], but in the living God, that giveth to us all things plenteously to use;
18 to do well, to be made rich in good works, lightly to give, to commune,
19 to treasure to themselves a good foundament into time to coming [into time to come], that they catch everlasting life.
20 Thou Timothy, keep the thing betaken to thee [Thou Timothy, keep the deposit, or thing betaken to thee], eschewing cursed novelties of voices, and opinions of false name of knowing;
21 which some men promising, about the faith fell down[d]. The grace of God be with thee. Amen.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 6:1 lest the name of their Lord God and his doctrine be blasphemed
- 1 Timothy 6:2 Forsooth, they that have faithful, or christian, lords, despise them not, for they be brethren; but more serve they them, for they be faithful and loved, the which be partners of beneficence, or good-doing. These things teach thou, and these things admonish thou.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 Command thou to the rich of this world, that they understand not highly, or proudly, nor to hope in uncertainty of riches
- 1 Timothy 6:21 the which some promising, fell down about the faith
1 Timothy 6
New Matthew Bible
The duty of servants toward their masters. Against such as are not satisfied with the word of God. Against covetousness. A good lesson for the rich.
6 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their masters worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and his precepts are not ill spoken of. 2 See to it that those who have believing masters do not honour them less because they are brethren, but so much more rather serve them, because they are believing, and beloved, and will benefit from the good service.
These things teach and exhort. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise, and is not content with the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the instruction of godliness, 4 he is puffed up and knows nothing, but wastes his brains about questions and strife of words, whereof come envy, strife, railing, evil surmisings, 5 and the vain disputations of men with corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who think that wealth is godliness. Separate yourself from such people.
6 But godliness is great wealth, if a man is content with what he has. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and it is a plain case that we can carry nothing out. 8 When we have food and clothing, let us therewith be content. 9 Those who want to be rich fall into temptation and snares, and into many foolish and harmful desires, which drown men in perdition and destruction. 10 For covetousness is the root of all evil, which, when some followed after, they erred from the faith, and tangled themselves with many sorrows. 11 But you who are the man of God, flee such things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, love, patience, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, to which you are called and have pledged yourself with a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give you charge in the sight of God, who gives life to all things, and before Jesus Christ, who bore faithful witness under Pontius Pilate, 14 to keep the commandment, and be without spot and unrebukeable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ – 15 which appearing (when the time is come) he will show, who is blessed and sole in dominion, King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, and dwells in light to which no man can attain, whom no man ever saw neither can see: to whom be honour and rule everlasting. Amen.
17 Charge those who are rich in this world not to be high-minded, and not to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us abundantly all things, to enjoy them; 18 and to do good, and to be rich in good works, and ready to give and distribute, 19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, so that they may obtain eternal life.
20 O Timothy, preserve that which has been given you to keep, and avoid unspiritual vanities of voices, and oppositions of knowledge falsely so-called, 21 which knowledge has led some who profess it to err as concerning the faith.
Grace be with you. Amen.
Sent from Laodicea, which is the
chiefest city of Phrygia,
Pacatiana.
1 Timothy 6
1599 Geneva Bible
6 1 He showeth the duty of servants: 10 and what a mischievous evil coveteousness is: 13 and having spoken somewhat of rich men, he once again forbiddeth Timothy, 20 to cumber himself with vain babblings.
1 Let [a]as many servants as are under the yoke, count their masters worthy of all honor, [b]that the Name of God, and his doctrine be not evil spoken of.
2 [c]And they which have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren, but rather do service, because they are faithful, and beloved, and [d]partakers of the benefit. [e]These things teach and exhort.
3 [f]If any man teach otherwise, and consenteth not to the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness,
4 He is puffed up and knoweth nothing, but doteth about questions and [g]strive of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Froward [h]disputations of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, which think that gain is godliness: from such separate thyself.
6 [i]But godliness is great gain, if a man be content with that he hath.
7 [j]For we brought nothing into the world, and it is certain, that we can carry nothing out.
8 Therefore when we have food and raiment, let us therewith be content.
9 [k]For they that will be rich, fall into tentation and snares, and into many foolish and noisome lusts, which drown men in perdition and destruction.
10 For the desire of money is the root of all evil, which while some lusted after they erred from the faith, and [l]pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 [m]But thou, O [n]man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith: lay hold of eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 (A)[o]I charge thee in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Jesus Christ, which under Pontius Pilate (B)witnessed a good confession.
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, and unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Which in due time he shall show, that is (C)[p] blessed and Prince only, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
16 Who only hath immortality, and dwelleth in the light that none can attain unto, (D)whom never man saw, neither can see, unto whom be honor and power everlasting, Amen.
17 [q]Charge them that are rich in [r]this world, that they be not high minded, and that they (E)trust not in uncertain riches, but in the [s]living God, (which giveth us abundantly all things to enjoy.)
18 That they do good, and be rich in good works, and be ready to distribute, and communicate,
19 (F)[t]Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may obtain eternal life.
20 [u]O Timothy, keep that which is committed unto thee, and avoid profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called,
21 Which while some [v]profess, they have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee, Amen.
¶The first Epistle to Timothy, written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 6:1 He addeth also rules for the servants’ duty towards their masters: whereupon no doubt there were many questions then moved by them which took occasion by the Gospel to trouble the common state. And this is the first rule: Let servants that are come to the faith, and have infidels to their masters, serve them notwithstanding with great fidelity.
- 1 Timothy 6:1 The reason: lest God should seem by the Doctrine of the Gospel to stir up men to rebellion and all wickedness.
- 1 Timothy 6:2 The second rule: Let not servants that are come to the faith, and have also masters of the same profession and religion, abuse the name of brotherhood, but let them so much the rather obey them.
- 1 Timothy 6:2 Let this be sufficient, that as touching those things which pertain to everlasting life, they are partakers of the same good will and love of God, as their masters themselves are.
- 1 Timothy 6:2 A general conclusion, that these things ought not only to be simply taught, but must with exhortations be diligently beaten into their heads.
- 1 Timothy 6:3 He condemneth severely, and excommunicateth or casteth out of the Church as proud men, such as content not themselves with Christ’s doctrine, (that is to say, the doctrine of godliness) but weary both themselves and others in vain questions, (for all other things are vain) because they content not themselves in Christ’s doctrine: and as lying deceivers, because they savor or sound of nothing but vanity: as mad men, because they trouble themselves so much in matters of nothing: as mischievous plagues, for that they cause great contentions, and corrupt men’s minds and judgment: to be short, as profane and wicked, because they abuse the precious name of godliness and religion to filthy lucre.
- 1 Timothy 6:4 Striving about words, and not about matter: and by words he meaneth all those things which have no pith in them, and whereby we can reap no profit.
- 1 Timothy 6:5 Such as we see in those shameless schools of Popery, which are nothing else but vain babbling and prating.
- 1 Timothy 6:6 He turneth away fitly the name of gain and lucre, confessing that godliness is great gain, but far after another sort, to wit, because it bringeth true sufficience.
- 1 Timothy 6:7 He mocketh their folly, which do so greedily gape after frail things, that they can in no wise be satisfied, and yet notwithstanding they cannot enjoy that excess.
- 1 Timothy 6:9 He frayeth Timothy from covetousness after another sort, to wit, because it draweth with it an infinite sort of lusts, and those very hurtful, wherewith covetous men do torment themselves so far forth, that in the end they cast away from them their faith and salvation.
- 1 Timothy 6:10 Sorrow and grief do as it were pierce through the mind of man, and are the harvest and true fruits of covetousness.
- 1 Timothy 6:11 A peculiar exhortation to divers virtues, wherewith it behooveth the Pastors especially to be furnished.
- 1 Timothy 6:11 Whom the Spirit of God ruleth.
- 1 Timothy 6:13 A most earnest request and charge, to observe and keep all the premises faithfully, with our eyes set upon the coming of Jesus Christ, whose glory we have to set against the vain glistering of this world, and his power, against all the terrors of the wicked.
- 1 Timothy 6:15 He heapeth many words together, to one purpose: whereby he voucheth the power of God, which if we stick fast unto, we shall not be moved out of our standings.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 He addeth for an overplus as it were a sharp admonition to the rich, that they chiefly take heed of two mischiefs, to wit, of pride, and deceitful hope, against which he setteth three excellent virtues, hope in the living God, liberality towards their neighbor, and gentle conditions.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 In things pertaining to this life, with whom those men are compared which are rich in good works.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 Who only is, and that everlasting: for he setteth the frail nature of riches against God.
- 1 Timothy 6:19 The praise of liberality by the effects thereof: because it is a sure testimony of the Spirit of God which dwelleth in us, and therefore of the salvation that shall be given us.
- 1 Timothy 6:20 He rehearseth the chiefest of all the former exhortations, which ought to be deeply imprinted in the minds of all ministers of the word, to wit, that they eschew all vain babblings of sophistry and continue in the simplicity of sincere doctrine.
- 1 Timothy 6:21 Not only in word, but also in countenance and gesture: to be short, while their behavior was such that even when they held their peace, they would make men believe their heads were occupied about nothing but high and weighty matters, even then they erred concerning the faith.
1 Timothy 6
Authorized (King James) Version
6 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. 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.
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; 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14 that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 which some professing have erred concerning the faith.
Grace be with thee. Amen.
The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.