1 Timothy 6:1-5

Paul continues to help us treat one another as family.  Ch. 6 deals with two situations: how slaves are to treat masters (6:1-2), and how wealthy believers are to live (6:6-10,17-19). In the midst of these topics he considers two matters of fundamental importance: dealing with those who oppose sound doctrine (6:3-5) and exalting Christ by lives that are consistent with sound doctrine (6:11-16).

·        6:1-2: Slaves were to treat believing masters with respect.  The New Testament was consistent in encouraging slaves to be respectful of masters (Eph. 6:5-8; Col. 3:22-25), even if the master was an unbeliever and harsh (1 Pt. 2:18).  We see this in 6:1.  But 6:2 calls for the same respect if the master is a believer.  The issue here should be obvious.  It would be easy for the slave to think that the equanimity enjoyed in the fellowship of believers should extend to the workplace.  In the church we submit to each other (Eph. 5:21).  In the workplace the master or business owner or supervisor exercises God-given authority over his workers; the slave or employee must respect the boss’s position.  He should work hard because the boss is a brother in Christ.  (Also note: the boss’s position in the workplace does not extend to the church; in the house of God authority resides in the spiritually mature, 1 Tim. 3.)  

At this point Paul acknowledges those who might oppose this teaching.  The seriousness of this stems from the fact that Paul’s teaching is from Christ.  Let us remind ourselves again of this fact.  Paul, as an apostle of Christ, is expressing:

6:3: wholesome words

6:3: the words of our Lord Jesus Christ

6:3: the doctrine which accords with godliness

1:11: the glorious gospel

3:9: the mystery of the faith

3:16: the mystery of godliness

With this in mind, what kind of person would stand against these words?  Paul is not shy in describing these opponents of Christ.  They are proud know-nothings, obsessed with arguing over words, motivated by money, thinking that their argumentative approach will gain them more of a following.  Instead what it does is create division, causing envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions and useless wranglings.  Paul is adamant: the church must steer clear of these people.

What tragedies have been caused by people, including pastors, in a church whose interest is not in searching the Scriptures (Acts 17:11) or gently and patiently correcting people (2 Tim. 2:23-26).  Instead they are more interested in winning an argument, pressing a pet peeve or over-inflating a non-essential point of doctrine.  That person must be removed from the class, the Bible study, and, yes, the church fellowship (Titus 3:9-11).  And in ourselves we must likewise reject this kind of pride that rejects the wholesome words of our Lord!