6:1 | Those who are under the yoke as slaves* must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent* the name of God and Christian teaching* from being discredited.* |
6:2 | But those who have believing masters must not show them less respect* because they are brothers. Instead they are to serve all the more, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.*Teach them and exhort them about these things.* |
6:3 | If someone spreads false teachings* and does not agree with sound words (that is, those of our Lord Jesus Christ) and with the teaching that accords with godliness, |
6:4 | he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in controversies and verbal disputes. This gives rise to envy, dissension, slanders, evil suspicions, |
6:5 | and constant bickering by people corrupted in their minds and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness* is a way of making a profit. |
6:6 | Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit. |
6:7 | For we have brought nothing into this world and so* we cannot take a single thing out either. |
6:8 | But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that.* |
6:9 | Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation and a trap and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. |
6:10 | For the love of money is the root* of all evils.* Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains. |
6:11 | But you, as a person dedicated to God,* keep away from all that.* Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness. |
6:12 | Compete well* for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession* for* in the presence of many witnesses. |
6:13 | I charge you* before God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who made his good confession* before Pontius Pilate, |
6:14 | to obey* this command* without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ |
6:15 | – whose appearing* the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will reveal at the right time. |
6:16 | He alone possesses immortality and lives in unapproachable light, whom no human has ever seen or is able to see. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen. |
6:17 | Command those who are rich in this world’s goods* not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain,* but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. |
6:18 | Tell them to do good,* to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others.* |
6:19 | In this way they will save up* a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation* for the future and so lay hold of* what is truly life. |
6:20 | O Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you. Avoid* the profane chatter and absurdities* of so-called “knowledge.”* |
6:21 | By professing it, some have strayed from the faith.* Grace be with you all.* |