Shared Word Translation

1 Timothy 6

Slaves and Masters

Let all who are under the yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful because they are brothers, but rather serve them all the more, since those who benefit from their good service are believers and beloved.

False Teaching and True Contentment

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing, but has a sick craving for controversies and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, slander, evil suspicions,

and constant friction among people corrupted in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils, and by reaching for it some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

Final Charge to Timothy

But you, man of God, flee these things; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

Instructions to the Rich

Command those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant, nor to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything for enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,

storing up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of what is truly life.

Final Appeal

O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding irreverent empty talk and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered away from the faith.

Grace be with you.