In last week’s passage, Paul addressed the false teachers’ view that godliness was a mean to financial gain. Those false teachers were partly right; godliness does lead to gain, but not in the way they expect.

See what Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:6-8:

The false teachers were partly right. Godliness does lead to gain. And Paul’s next statement stands in stark contrast to that faulty view. There is great gain, or profit, in godliness, when it is accompanied by contentment. What does contentment mean? Simply this: we are to be satisfied with what we have and not seek after material gain. Contentment pairs nicely with godliness.

The irony is in the fact that Paul was striving against a Stoic philosophy, and one of the favorite virtues of the Stoics was self-sufficiency, or the ability to rely on your own inner resources. Paul has already addressed this idea in Philippians 4:11, where he makes a strong case that true contentment isn’t self-sufficiency, but Christ-sufficiency.

Paul’s point here is to point out the fact that relying upon Christ is the only way to combat our own greed, as well as that of the false teachers that Timothy was facing.

Paul gives Timothy two reasons why contentment should accompany godliness, and why that is such an advantage, or gain.

In Paul’s final chapter of 1 Timothy, he returns to the original topic of the letter, the need for Timothy to address the false teachers that are infiltrating the Ephesian church.

You can see this week’s passage in 1 Timothy 6:3-5:

The Problems

Paul has just instructed Timothy to teach “these things,” in verse two. In contrast to that command, the next portion of his letter address the false teachings that have permeated his entire letter. This teaching is different from what Timothy is to stand firm upon, because it “does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Nor does it conform to “godly teaching.” Paul’s word “sound” literally means “healthy.” In other words, Timothy is to provide doctrine that promotes spiritual health. The false teachers are not doing so. These false teachers are not promoting a life of reverence or worship to God; in fact, what they are teaching is just the opposite, and have abandoned the truth of the gospel of Christ. This is their underlying error.

The beginning of the final chapter of Paul’s letter to Timothy continues his instructions concerning church relationships. He has already addressed widows and elders. He now turns to slaves.

See the passage for yourself at 1 Timothy 6:1-2:

Slavery in New Testament times was significantly different than it has been in recent centuries, especially as experienced in the US. As a result of this, we have very little comprehension of just what it was like to be a slave in those days. We can’t even imagine what it must have been like.

Slavery in the New Testament had very little to do with nationality, ethnicity or skin color. It was more based upon economic circumstances, or because of war. In fact, it was not a rare occurrence for a person to sell themselves into slavery to improve their situation or pay a debt. Slavery to a good master was often a better place to be than a poor free person.

Slaves made up a significant portion of many of the early churches written to in the New Testament, and Paul addressed slavery in many of his letters, such as 1 Corinthians 7:21-24, Colossians 3:22-25, Ephesians 6:5-8, and Titus 2:9-10. Peter also addressed slavery in 1 Peter 2:18-25.

But why would Paul address slavery in this letter to Timothy? It may be that some problems had arisen among slaves and master, similar to those issues and attitudes among the younger widows, which Paul spends some time discussing.

As Paul wraps up his instructions concerning elders who need correction, he states his charge to Timothy. Some feel that this is a charge concerning all of Paul’s teaching in the letter to this point. However, the context suggests that this is more in line with his discussion of the elders in the previous few verses.

You can see the passage in 1 Timothy 5:21-22:

Paul’s charge is a solemn charge, carrying the weight of responsibility for Timothy’s leadership in the Ephesian church. In a way, this charge is given before God, Christ and the angels as witnesses. That indicates the seriousness of this responsibility that Paul is bestowing upon his young friend.

The idea here is that Timothy is called to judge others; but he is to keep in mind that he will be judged himself as well. With that in mind, let’s look at the areas that Timothy needs to watch.

Do nothing with partiality

Partiality conveys the idea that the case has been already judged and closed. Partiality indicates that the decision has been made. Paul warns Timothy to avoid this at all costs.

Do not show favoritism

The idea of favoritism suggests that there is the inclination to side with one side over the other. Again, Paul tells Timothy that this isn’t an acceptable characteristic for a leader to have, and warns Timothy against it.

Paul has already addresses elders in 1 Timothy. However, he returns to the topic to give some further instruction in the fifth chapter. This isn’t as much a job description, as in chapter three, but seems to be more corrective in nature.

Take a look for yourself in 1 Timothy 5:19-20:

In the previous couple of verses, Paul’s concern is for the care and compensation of elders who give their lives wholly to the ministry, forsaking other means of generating an income. Paul expects the church that Timothy is directing to take charge and help these men provide for their families.

But in these verses, his tone changes. Here he is addressing the steps to be taken when an elder is found to be in sin.

He gives Timothy two guidelines to follow: