Font Size
1 Timothy 6:2-12
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
1 Timothy 6:2-12
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
2 Those whose masters are believers must not take advantage of them because they are brothers but must give better service because those who will profit from their work are believers and are beloved.(A)
V. False Teaching and True Wealth
Teach and urge these things.[a] 3 Whoever teaches something different and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious teaching(B) 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.(C) 6 [b]Indeed, religion with contentment is a great gain.(D) 7 For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it.(E) 8 If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that.(F) 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.(G) 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.[c] 11 But you, man of God,[d] avoid all this. Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.(H) 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.(I)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 6:2b–10 Timothy is exhorted to maintain steadfastly the position outlined in this letter, not allowing himself to be pressured into any other course. He must realize that false teachers can be discerned by their pride, envy, quarrelsomeness, and greed for material gain. 1 Tm 6:6 is rather obscure and is interpreted, and therefore translated, variously. The suggestion seems to be that the important gain that religion brings is spiritual, but that there is material gain, too, up to the point of what is needed for physical sustenance (cf. 1 Tm 6:17–19).
- 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.).
1 Timothy 6:2-12
New International Version
1 Timothy 6:2-12
New International Version
2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers.(A) Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare[a] of their slaves.
False Teachers and the Love of Money
These are the things you are to teach and insist on.(B) 3 If anyone teaches otherwise(C) and does not agree to the sound instruction(D) of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited(E) and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words(F) that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth(G) and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6 But godliness with contentment(H) is great gain.(I) 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.(J) 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.(K) 9 Those who want to get rich(L) fall into temptation and a trap(M) and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money(N) is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith(O) and pierced themselves with many griefs.(P)
Final Charge to Timothy
11 But you, man of God,(Q) flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness,(R) faith, love,(S) endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight(T) of the faith. Take hold of(U) the eternal life(V) to which you were called when you made your good confession(W) in the presence of many witnesses.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 6:2 Or and benefit from the service
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.