Paul begins Chapter Six with the command that we are to show honor and respect to those we are under so that God’s Name – His Great reputation - and the Christian teaching may not be slandered. This motivation drove Paul’s actions and it drives all of Scripture as well. Every believer is to be Christ’s reflection through His power for His glory. Paul’s directives are not too dissimilar to his command to us in Chapter Two where he exhorts us to pray and intercede with thanksgiving for all those in authority over us that we may live peaceful and quiet lives. Our actions are to point others to Him - always. Remember God desires for all men to be saved and come to a saving knowledge of the Truth. It matters greatly how believers live their lives:
15 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)
Regarding the resurrection in the end times, Daniel confirms the wisdom of our choice to be wise which brings much consolation to the believer:
2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:2-3 (NIV)
We who hold to the Truth are responsible for both speaking it and fleshing it out. Head knowledge only puffs up but love acts and edifies. We are to make known the Truth of His Word by our actions wherever He chooses and under whomever He chooses to place us. The world watches how we respond. We are His servants – His workmanship - Scripture states, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God has prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
Paul uses the word “servant” translated from the Greek word “Doulos” meaning: slave, bond-slave, indentured servant, literally one owned as the property of another. Indeed, as believers we are all bond-slaves to Christ who has redeemed us by His precious blood – we are not our own. Paul states in 1 Corinthians:
19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
Indeed, in the Books of Romans, Philippians, Colossians and Titus, Paul begins his letters by calling himself a servant of Christ Jesus and in Philemon a prisoner of Christ Jesus. Philippians tells us that even our Lord Jesus made Himself a servant for us – (I think that places us in mighty fine company, Amen?):
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:3-11 (NIV)
The essence of Christianity is that our Master has become our servant and so, in turn, we gladly become His slave. A small caveat here for you mothers with young children – teach them to serve and not merely for the accolades of man but for the smile of God – Who shows no favoritism. This is a wonderful reminder for us as well. We are to live our lives for an audience of One. If we please Him by walking in His ways, it is the richest and fullest life we can have – it is also our glorious freedom. Furthermore, it is the life we were created to possess. You can take that to the bank! Everything we do is to be a representation of our God therefore we are to work hard and work well – even when it is not easy. Our actions are to reflect His glory. At the end of the day, the question is not whether we are slaves but rather whose slaves we were. Either we will serve sin, self and Satan or the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Paul reminds us in Colossians:
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. Colossians 3:22-25 (NIV)
Christianity is primarily aimed at personal redemption. So that, as people are redeemed, societal structures begin to be transformed. The key is the heart of God’s people. It always starts with the heart. As God changes us, He changes the world around us, through the Holy Spirit’s power within us. God always works from the inside out.
Next Paul revisits false teachers whom he had previously drawn our attention to in Chapter One:
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work--which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:3-5 (NIV)
He tells us in Chapter Six if any teaching does not agree with the sound teaching of Jesus the teacher is conceited and knows nothing. He goes on to say these teachers are interested in controversies and quarrels regarding words resulting in envy and strife. They are men of corrupt minds that have been blinded to the Truth. We must also beware of that part of our sinful nature which instinctively chooses to see what we want to see, and to ignore what we want to ignore, until it’s too late and the damage is done. We must be alert and obedient to the Spirit’s moving rather than indulging in the movement of our whims, wishes and bias’. As we have discussed before, God does not move forward with us until we deal with whatever it is He is working on in our lives – and, believe me, He is always working! I love Newton’s quote on the will:
“It is natural for us to wish and to plan, and it is merciful of the Lord to disappoint our plans and to cross our wishes. For we cannot be safe or happy until we are weaned from our own wills and made simply desirous of being directed by His guidance. Although we understand this we seldom learn to put it into practice without being trained for a while in the school of disappointment. The schemes we form look so plausible and convenient that when they are broken we are ready to say, ‘What a pity!’ We try again, and with no better success; we are grieved, and perhaps angry, and plan another, and so on; eventually, in the course of time, experience and observation begin to convince us that we are no more able than we are worthy to choose correctly for ourselves. The Lord’s invitation to cast our cares upon Him, and His promise to take care of us, appear valuable; and when we have done planning, His plan in our favor gradually opens, and He does more and better for us than we could either ask or think. I can hardly recollect a single plan of mine, which if it had taken place in the time and the way I wanted would, humanly speaking, have proved my ruin; or at least would have deprived me of the greater good the Lord had designed for me. We judge things by their present appearance; but the Lord sees them in their consequences. If we could do the same we would be perfectly of His mind; but since we can’t, it is an unspeakable mercy that He will manage for us, whether we are pleased with His management or not; and it is regarded as one of His heaviest judgments when He gives any person up to the way of their own hearts, and to walk according to their own wisdom.” John Newton
In Paul’s day, materialism seemed to have gotten a hold of the hearts of these false teachers blinding them from the things God would have them to see. Sadly, in our times, this section of Scripture shines a bright light as well on the glaring sin of materialism of many Christians and churches in America today which taints and permeates their view of Scripture. Like the false teachers Paul speaks of, many modern-day pulpits have been robbed of the truth and consider godliness a means to financial gain as well. The prosperity gospel is still alive and going strong to be sure!
“When you see no present advantage, walk by faith and not by sight. Do God the honor to trust Him when it comes to matters of loss for the sake of principle. See whether He will be your debtor! See if He doesn’t even in this life prove His word that ‘Godliness with contentment is great gain,’ and that they who ‘seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’ To wear a guileless spirit, to have a heart void of offense, to have the favor and smile of God, is greater riches than the mines of Ophir could yield.” Charles H. Spurgeon
Let’s take a moment and examine this precious jewel of contentment. Paul tells us in Philippians that it is a learned secret:
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:10-13 (NIV)
“You will see at once from reading the text (Philippians 4:11), upon the very surface, that contentment in all states is not a natural propensity of man. Ill weeds grow apace; covetousness, discontent, and murmuring, are as natural to man as thorns are to the soil. You have no need to sow thistles and brambles; they come up naturally enough, because they are indigenous to earth, upon which rests the curse; so you have no need to teach men to complain, they complain fast enough without any education. But the precious things of the earth must be cultivated. If we would have wheat, we must plough and sow; if we want flowers, there must be the garden, and all the gardener’s care. Now, contentment is one of the flowers of heaven, and if we would have it, it must be cultivated.” Charles H. Spurgeon
Indeed, Christ is more than sufficient in all circumstances for all believers. The Apostle tells us “godliness” – literally “godlikeness” – that is true piety, devoutness, holiness – is great gain. Godliness does not necessarily give financial gain, it itself is great gain when accompanied with contentment. We have all received blessings - both temporal and spiritual - from God, and our hearts should be going out to Him in continual gratitude and praise. We should not be characterized by a spirit of restlessness and discontent – whining and murmuring - which dominates the men and women of this world. That is exactly what got many of the Jews into trouble in their wanderings in the desert. Let’s do ourselves a favor and learn from their experience. The Jewish Talmud says that man is born with his hands clenched, but he dies with his hands wide open. Coming into the world he is trying to grasp everything, but going out he has to give up everything. We can take nothing worldly with us only what has been sent ahead of us.
Jesus rightly warns us:
19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)
We are to be continually watching and guarding our hearts with an eye for destructive cravings, excessiveness or anything that could replace God’s rightful place on the throne of our lives. Jeremiah tells us:
9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 10 “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NIV)
We are to be constantly placing our confidence and contentment in Him Who is our sufficiency and strength, Who is always faithful and Who loves us with an everlasting love. When we are filled with Him to overflowing we are content and no longer needy. We have an abundance - if you will - of Him that flows to all around us. We will bring forth perpetual fruit. Jeremiah also tells us:
7 “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)
“You have enough of Him — and He is enough. You are enough — because the great I AM is in you & with you & for you. He is enough — and that is enough.” Ann Voskamp
“What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we set ourselves in life? To know God. What is the eternal life that Jesus gives? Knowledge of God. What is the best thing in life, bringing more joy, delight, and contentment, than anything else? Knowledge of God. What, of all the states God ever sees man in, gives Him most pleasure? Knowledge of Himself.” J.I. Packer
“Our satisfaction and contentment in life does not come from riches but from righteousness.” Robert J. Morgan
“Contentment is a learned secret that sadly many fail in their endeavors to obtain. It is never found in more, better, bigger, new, marriages, children or whatever that whatever may be. Oh, it may appear briefly with these faux gods we seek to enthrone but vanishes quickly after obtaining. A contentment and peace which prevails is found only in Christ. He wants to fill our wants – just ask Him. He wants to be the desire of our hearts – seek Him. Because He knows it will make us whole so that we are no longer needy or just plain annoying to be around. God fills completely when we allow Him. He wants to fill us in order to spill us (which, btw, brings much joy to the soul) so that we leave the aroma of Christ in our spheres rather than the smell of death. This is the abundance He came to give us – life to the fullest measure. This is contentment.” BHY
Paul tells us godliness with contentment is great gain. Remember, we bring nothing in and we take nothing out of this world but if we have food and clothing we are to be content with that. We are not to be a people who insatiably crave material possessions which lead us to fall into temptation and a trap and, as Scripture states, into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge us into ruin and destruction. Lusting after money and loving it is the root of all kinds of evil. Things or possessions are not inherently bad, nor is money intrinsically evil rather it is the love of it, the great desire for it. As believers we are to be on guard against the cravings of both possessions and money. Our attitude toward money is an indicator of our hearts and our checkbooks as well as your day timers will reflect your true priorities. Materialism can be deceptive – money and possessions may look appealing but can be a trap that can lead us to indulge in unhealthy ways that can kill our souls. To be sure, we don’t want to be pierced with many griefs.
“We usually believe that greed, worry, and generosity primarily deal with how we manage our money, but all three conditions are actually heart issues. Wealth is never evil in itself. It is amoral – not good or bad. But the question we must all ask ourselves is always, ‘Do I have wealth or does it have me?’ It’s never about the money; it is always about the heart. Jesus reminds us of this truth with His words, ‘Where you treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ (Luke 12:34).” Donna Evans
Lastly, contentment breeds abundant peace. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word translated for peace is “Salom” meaning to be safe, complete, health, security, tranquility; can mean the absence of strife yet signifies much more; it essentially denotes a satisfied condition, a state of peacefulness, a sense of well-being both externally and internally. This word is used in Isaiah to refer to Jesus the coming Messiah calling Him the Prince of Peace:
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)
The word in Greek translated “peace” in the New Testament is “Eirene” meaning peace, tranquility, repose, calm, harmony, accord; well-being, prosperity; it denotes a state of untroubled, undisturbed, well-being. This word is used to describe Jesus as well in Ephesians when Paul writes:
14 For he himself is our peace. Ephesians 2:14 (NIV)
Peaceful contentment in found in Christ alone. Let Him daily fill you and the rest you receive is superfluous – a mere cherry on top.
“Because, rich or poor or somewhere in between, everything minus Jesus equals nothing. And Jesus plus nothing equals everything.” Scott Sauls
“I’ll never forget being prayed for by Ray, a friend whose world is one filled with material poverty, homelessness, setbacks and empty hands. Ray prayed strong and spontaneous – that I, the pastor of the big church from Nashville, Tennessee who writes books and has a blog and lives in a comfy house and has never been concerned about missing a meal and has always been able to pay his bills – would know the security of the Father’s care, the smile of the Father’s love, the freedom of the Father’s grace, the intimacy of the Father’s arms, the friendship of the Father’s family, and the abundance of the Father’s provision. Ray prayed as a man who, possessing close to nothing, possessed all things. He prayed as a man with empty hands but a full heart. He prayed as a man with abundant gratitude, as if he had a secret treasure stored up in a world that I had only heard and talked about, but perhaps had not yet seen. In that moment, I began to wonder which of us was really living large and which was living in scarcity. I began to wonder which of us was running with two legs and which of us was running with one. I began to wonder which of us was carrying the aces and which of us was carrying an empty hand. As Luther aptly said, ‘We are all beggars, this is true.’” Scott Sauls
“The Hebrew word shalom is often translated ‘peace,’ but its full meaning has a deeper richness to it. Shalom is a sense of completeness and soundness and living well. It implies safety, good health, prosperity, tranquility, and contentment. Shalom means favor, fulfillment, restoration, harmony, and reconciliation. God is Jehovah Shalom, the God of peace. Shalom meets the human heart's deepest longings and is the greatest measure of contentment. True shalom cannot exist in a heart that is void of Jesus Christ. Shalom cannot exist in a heart that is divided between a love of God and a love of the world. There is no room for peace in a heart that is harboring anxiety, distrust, greed, anger, or bitterness. The Messiah is referred to as the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6. Although the text translates to ‘prince,’ the original meaning of the word embodies the power of the king. The prince here has the full authority, delegation, and dignity of the king. Only when the Prince of Peace rules in our hearts and minds can we have peace. Until we submit to His authority and power, our peace will be incomplete.” Michael Youssef
Paul now turns his attention directly to Timothy in his concluding section beginning in verse 11 using the word “you”. Indeed, he states:
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NIV)
Paul not only tells his beloved Timothy to flee from the evil of false teaching, materialism, covetousness, quarrelling, controversies, discontent, and the like; he tells him (and us as well) what to pursue – righteousness (just, upright, conforming to the claims of a higher authority), godliness (devotion, piety toward God), faith (to win over, trust, belief, an obedience consisting of or identified as faith), love (cherish, favor, honor, respect, accept, rooted in the mind and will of the subject meaning to value, esteem, prize, treat as precious, to be devoted to), endurance (to persevere, bear up under, patience or constancy under suffering in faith and duty) and gentleness – the list not too dissimilar to the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians – the possession of which every Christian is to be fanning into flames:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV)
The Christian is to be characterized by righteousness in all his dealings. God desires for His children to be conformed into the image of His Son. Remember, holiness is a pursuit. We easily fall into sin but must pursue holiness.
There is a battle raging and we, like Timothy, are called to fight the good fight of the faith. This is the second time Paul alludes to this in his letter. We see in Chapter One:
18 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight,
19 holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. 1 Timothy 1:18-19 (NIV)
This is a good fight, and the fight is for eternal life. It’s a fight for peace, confidence, and hope – not just for us but so that others too will escape everlasting torment and receive eternal life. This is a good fight but that does not mean it is easy. There is a God over this world who wants all people to be saved, and there is a god in this world who wants all people to burn in hell. There is a battle raging for your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and for all the peoples of the world. How we fight this battle has eternal implications. We are to be good soldiers and we are to persevere in this endeavor. Peacetime is coming, be assured of that, but it is not now. Satan does not want us to believe, live out, or spread this gospel. Yet God wants us to fight this good fight – with His power in His armor for His glory. We are to be good and faithful soldiers in the Lord’s army. Also, we do not fight this war for victory rather we fight from victory. “It is finished” were Jesus’ last words.
Paul tells us in Ephesians the attire:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)
There is no discharge from this war – we are enlisted for life, or until we meet our Lord when He returns in power and glory. We are to keep this command, Paul states, without spot or blame until His appearing which God will bring about in His own time. Then each one will be rewarded according to the measure of his devotedness to Christ and subjection to His Word. Solomon tells us:
8 No man has power over the wind to contain it; so no one has power over the day of his death. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it. Ecclesiastes 8:8 (NIV)
Lastly, Paul addresses those to whom God has entrusted wealth. We have nothing we have not received. Those with wealth are not superior people because they have more dollars than others, or because they are able to buy more material goods than others. Everything we have is by the mercy of God therefore those so entrusted are to be open-handed. They are to do good, ready to distribute, willing to share their bounty with those in need so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. God, Who richly gives everything for our enjoyment, desires for us to be a giving and generous people. If we want to enjoy life at its very best, then we are to use what God has committed to our trust not only for our enjoyment but also for the blessing of others. Remember, it is a terrible thing to be in the grip of greed and covetousness. I am reminded of the parable our Lord spoke in Luke:
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I'll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’” 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” 22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.” Luke 12:16-22 (NIV)
We are to guard what God has entrusted to our care as we are held accountable for the gifts we are given. Always, our example is sweet Jesus.
These are Beth’s personal notes, due to this fact sources are not often stated.
