1 Timothy 6:3-16
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
3 Whoever teaches something different and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious teaching(A) 4 is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes. From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions, 5 and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds, who are deprived of the truth, supposing religion to be a means of gain.(B) 6 [a]Indeed, religion with contentment is a great gain.(C) 7 For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it.(D) 8 If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that.(E) 9 Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction.(F) 10 For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.
Exhortations to Timothy.[b] 11 But you, man of God,[c] avoid all this. Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.(G) 12 Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses.(H) 13 I charge [you] before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate for the noble confession,(I) 14 to keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ 15 that the blessed and only ruler will make manifest at the proper time, the King of kings and Lord of lords,(J) 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, and whom no human being has seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal power. Amen.(K)
Right Use of Wealth.[d]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 6:6 Contentment: the word autarkeia is a technical Greek philosophical term for the virtue of independence from material goods (Aristotle, Cynics, Stoics).
- 6:11–16 Timothy’s position demands total dedication to God and faultless witness to Christ (1 Tm 6:11–14) operating from an awareness, through faith, of the coming revelation in Jesus of the invisible God (1 Tm 6:15–16).
- 6:11 Man of God: a title applied to Moses and the prophets (Dt 33:1; 1 Sm 2:27; 1 Kgs 12:22; 13:1; etc.).
- 6:17–19 Timothy is directed to instruct the rich, advising them to make good use of their wealth by aiding the poor.
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