1 Timothy 6
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Lesson
Paul concludes his letter with a series of different and not always related topics. He deals with slaves, and begins to lay the groundwork for abolition, gives Timothy two tests for correct theology and spells out the download spiral and eventual destruction of the false teacher especially related to their love of money, and then encourages Timothy three ways. And in proper biblical fashion, he concludes with a doxology. The final paragraph (skipped by Dr. Mounce, is a final word to the rich in the church and a final plea to Timothy to be careful.
Outline
1 Timothy 6:1-2a
Honor and respect one another (6:1)
Slaves: fully respect your masters (6:1a)
Difficult for our ears to hear
Plants the seeds of abolition
6:1b — Motivation — Evangelistic
More important than turning Christianity into a political movement
Not to say that political involvement is wrong
Specifically with slaves with christian masters (6:2)
Paul is planting the seeds for what became the abolition movement
1. “Enslavers” (1 Tim 1:10) parallels “Though shalt not steal”
2. “Good service” is more accurately “acts of kindness”
3. Masters
4. Slaves
5. Philemon 15-16
6.1 Cor 7:21
Our deepest/most significant relationships are not assigned by society
Paul’s refusal to outwardly condemn slavery has led to great abuse
Writings of the pre-war south
Piper on Jonathan Edwards
1 Timothy 6:2b-10
Godly contentment is contrasted with loving financial “profit” (6:9)
1. Starts with temptation
2. These temptations become a snare
3. Plunged into ruin and destruction
Paul concludes: “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (6:10)
Fee: why would anyone want to become rich?
The only profit there is in loving wealth is the pain of more temptations
1 Timothy 6:11-16
1. Encouragement: Flee and pursue (6:11)
2. Encouragement: Christian life is a struggle (6:12)
3. Encouragement: Remember who is watching (6:13-15a)
“Commandment” is probably not one specific statement
Who’s watching? In whose presence do we live and minister?
Something else is going on
4. “Doxology” (6:15b-16)
“Only Sovereign”
This is the God who demands our loyalty, worship, our lives
Duration
1 hour