August 14, 2014 1st Timothy Chapter 6

1st Timothy Chapter 6

Originally posted Monday, September 29th, 2008

1st Timothy Chapter 6:3-10 False Teachings and True Riches

The last phrase of 6:2 clearly belongs to the writer's transition from the previous instructions of chapters 2 through 6:2 to a strong criticism of anyone who "teaches otherwise." The instructions are the "sound words" of Christ and are "in accordance with godliness." Given such heavenly stamps of authority the instructions are close to having the authority of scripture. Anyone who teaches otherwise is verbally castigated by the writer with a string of negative epithets worthy of a political campaign. Such people are conceited, believing they know the truth but are without understanding. They have a morbid fascination with minutely parsing words and meanings, analyzing and disputing every jot and tittle as if such "wrangling" will gain them some advantage over others. Such colloquies are not only "bereft of truth," they lead to "envy, dissension, slander [and] base suspicions." The perpetrators believe such exactness in minutiae leads to a level of godliness that will accrue to them as financial gain as wise sages who can offer their wisdom at a price. It is as if their love of the trivial was some new form of piety needed by others, but it is the source of the darker elements of disunity. They are similar to those of whom Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 1:10-17, addressing the "false wisdom" that had created divisions according to which evangelist had lately preached and baptized in Corinth. The writer has also referred to these false teachers as those who "promote speculations rather than the divine plan [of Christ" (1:3-7)].

There is, of course, something to be gained in godliness but it is not human recognition or material gain. Quite the opposite, true godliness is expressed in one's contentment with what one has, with no need of wealth beyond the needs of life. Striving for material excesses changes a person's fundamental character. It diminishes the will to resist temptation and lets loose base, self serving desires that can lead "into ruin and destruction." In the famous and oft' quoted verse, "money is the root of all kinds of evil," the writer has capsulated his attitude toward those who have "wandered away from the faith." He is convinced that godliness combined with its offspring, contentment, is the grace of faith. Neither can be the product of an "eagerness to be rich."

1st Timothy Chapter 6:11-19 The Good Fight of Faith

Timothy is admonished to avoid these cravings which cause some to "wander away from the faith." Instead, as a "man of God," his pursuit will follow the words of Christ which lead to "righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance [and] gentleness," the true riches of God. Using a term for athletic competition, he urges Timothy to "contest (verb) the contest (noun)," to put forth the effort with the determination of an athlete striving to "take hold of" the prize which is eternal life. This is the life to which Christ has called him and which he accepted when he openly "confessed the good confession" of his faith at his baptism. Calling as witnesses the God who is the creator of all life and Christ who  also "confessed the good confession" of obedience to God, the author calls Timothy to purely keep the commandment of his ordination as a preacher of the Gospel until the time which God will determine as the right time for Christ's return. In a sublime doxology sung as a second blessing over Timothy's life, the writer gives wing to soaring words in praise of God, an amen worthy of the artistic rendering by Handel and the words of the hymn, "Almighty, Invisible, God only Wise."

But the writer is not finished with his instructions to Timothy. Within the congregation there are those who are materially rich. To highlight the seriousness with which the author understands the corrupting power of wealth, Timothy is to make clear that wealth is no advantage before God. Wealth is not a foundation upon which to build their hope. It does not make them wiser, better or more important than the poorest among them. There is no room for haughtiness in their attitudes toward others or self indulgence. Instead they are to be "rich in good works, generous and ready to share," for by doing so they build a true "foundation for the future," a "life that really is life."

1st Timothy Chapter 6:20-21 Closing Instructions and Benediction

Finally the writer encourages Timothy to keep pure the calling he has received, "to guard the deposit entrusted to [him]." He should "turn away from the profane, empty utterances and oppositions of the falsely named knowledge" which some have professed to be true faith and "have missed the mark." To this the author pronounces his benediction of grace over which he gives the Amen.

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Note:

Wealth is one of those paradoxes within a word. It carries both a curse and a blessing. We can use our most devoted energies to acquire wealth and once we have it an equal devotion to guarding it. We can use wealth for conspicuous consumption and self indulgence or for good. Wealth is fraught with choices between good and not-so-good. The prophetic word for justice has often been interpreted as distributive justice. The root of its meaning is God's "ownership" of the world and its resources made available to all in a fair and impartial way. We often and easily speak of this world as belonging to God and proclaim the call to stewardship in connection with guarding and using the natural resources for the benefit of all humanity. But rarely do we view our own personal and financial resources in the same light. We cannot rightly call the natural resources a blessing without calling our own resources by the same name. When we do we have to admit they, too, belong to God. What are we to do! The author of this letter advises that we "do good, be ready to share and be rich in good works." He does not suggest we take a vow of poverty and join the Franciscan brothers of Assisi or the Sisters of Charity. In the Church we have ample opportunity to apply the tenets of our faith through our giving. Of course we cannot be commanded to be generous any more than we can be commanded to love. These are born of a deepened faith enriched by a soul nourished in Christ.

Generosity rises like the voices of a congregation humbly offered up to God. The notes are our prayers to God on behalf of others. The space between the notes is God's invitation to us to be part of the answer.