Authentic Godliness – 1 Timothy 6:6-12

1 Timothy verse by verse. This lesson looks at the exhortation to true godliness, in contrast to the false concept of godliness espoused by the false teachers.

1. This Lesson: The Apostle outlines the features of genuine godliness in contrast to the mistaken ideas of the false teachers described in Vs. 5. “supposing that gain is godliness”
2. The Apostle exhorts Timothy to a life that is distinct from these false concepts of godliness.

The Call to Contentment (Vs. 6-8)

The Praise of Contentment (vs. 6)

1. ‘contentment’ = means to be sufficient. “An inward satisfaction that is not affected by outward circumstances” (Gromacki)
2. “great gain” = high value

The Principle of Contentment (vs. 7)

1. We entered life with nothing
2. We exit life with nothing
3. Principle: We understand the temporary nature of material things
4. Luke 12:15 “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

The Particulars of contentment (vs. 8)

1. Food = nourishment
2. Raiment = clothing
3. Principle: We should be content with the provision of the basic necessities of life
4. Proverbs 30:8-9 “Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”
5. Note: Contrast this with the Charismatic prosperity Gospel

The Caution of Covetousness (Vs. 9-10)

The Trap of Covetousness (vs. 9)

1. ‘will’ = to desire, to be minded towards
2. ‘fall’ = same word used in 3:6-7. Christ used this word to describe an animal fallen into a pit (Matt. 12:11, Luke 14:5)
3. The three things they fall into are:
   1. Temptation – e.g. attaining their goal through dishonest means or submitting to sins associated with the pursuit of wealth
   2. Snare – Satan’s trap
   3. Lusts
      1. Foolish Lusts = empty and vain
      2. Hurtful = damages the individual and leaves scars
      3. Destructive = they destroy. ‘drown’ = to sink. “It gives the picture of these lusts overwhelming the man, like the waves covering a sinking ship, and plunging him into perdition.” (Heibert). “The irony behind the desire to be rich is that the riches men want in order to go to the top are the very burdens that bring them to the bottom.” (Gromacki)
      4. Mark 10:25 “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

The Tragedy of Covetousness (vs. 10)

1. “love of money” = lit. love of silver. Money itself is not evil, but the love of it is. “It is ok to have money, so long as money doesn’t have you!”
2. ‘root’ = there is a connection between evil and lust for money
3. “coveted after” = reached after
4. There are two tragic consequences:
   1. Deviation from the faith – “erred from the faith”
   2. Damage to the individual – “pierced themselves through with many sorrows”

The Contrasting Command (Vs. 11-12)

Flee (11a)

1. “man of God” = frequent O.T. designation for a prophet (e.g. Moses, Samuel, Elijah & David)
2. ‘flee’ = to shun or avoid by flight
3. Illustration: Joseph & Potipher’s wife
4. “these things” = the covetous life and all its associated evils just described

Follow (vs. 11b)

1. “follow after” = speaks of aggressive pursuit (passion) Translated ‘persecute’ (28 times) in the N.T. Means to pursue as a hunter
2. There are 6 things mentioned that we are to pursue in our Christian lives:
   1. Righteousness = practical righteousness, progress in holiness
   2. Godliness = reverence for God that translates into practical living
   3. Faith = the walk of faith
   4. Love = for God and each other
   5. Patience = lit. means “to remain/stay under” Rom. 5:3 – Tribulation produced patience in our lives
   6. Meekness = power under control.

Fight (vs. 12)

1. The Conflict
   1. ‘fight’ = to contend, strive, agonize (athletic term)
   2. “the faith” = God’s Revealed truth
   3. ‘good’ = Not all fights are wrong! Some things are worth fighting for.
2. The Concentration
   1. “lay hold” = to seize or grab hold of
   2. ‘called’ = Timothy was called to eternal life in salvation.
   3. “professed a good profession” = could be a reference to Timothy’s ordination. Note reference to “many witnesses”

Conclusion:

1. What is your attitude to money (material things)? Do you have an eternal perspective or a temporal value system?
2. What level of priority are you putting into growth in the great Christian virtues such as faith, love, godliness etc…?
3. Are you willing to stand for the truth?

Sermon 25 of 27 in 1 Timothy Series

Sermon Audio Id: 312174574310