1Ti 6 | TNotes | STEP | 6:1 Both unbelieving and believing masters should be treated with respect , which will bring honor rather than shame to God’s name (see study note on 5:1

6:1 ^a Both unbelieving and believing masters should be treated with respect, which will bring honor rather than shame to God’s name (see study note on 5:1–6:2).
Summary for 1Tim 6:2-21: 6:2b-21 ^b The last major section of the letter returns to the need for Timothy to confront the false teachers. The whole section has a similar structure to 1:3-20 ^c.
Summary for 1Tim 6:2-10: 6:2b-10 ^d This paragraph exposes the false teachers’ desire to become wealthy.
6:4 ^e This stirs up arguments: This is the same problem as in 1:4 ^f (see also 2 Tim 2:23-24 ^g; Titus 3:9 ^h).
6:5 ⁱ have turned their backs on the truth: Literally having been robbed of the truth; see 2 Tim 2:18 ^j; 3:7 ^k, 8 ^l; 4:4 ^m; Titus 1:14 ⁿ.

• a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy (see 1 Tim 2:2 ^o; 3:8 ^p; 4:8 ^q; 6:3 ^r; see also 2 Tim 3:2 ^s; Acts 8:9-25 ^t): Just how these false teachers thought they would profit is not clear. In the wider culture there were many itinerant teachers who taught for pay. Abuse was common and often deserved the accusation that someone’s teaching was for “gain and glory.” Perhaps the false teachers of 1 Timothy were bringing this practice into the church or espousing some version of a prosperity gospel. They appear to have had an influence on wealthy believers (1 Tim 6:17-19 ^u), and possibly on women in particular (2:9 ^v; 5:6 ^w).
6:6 ^x with contentment: This is not just a philosophical outlook but real dependence on the sufficiency of Christ. See 4:8 ^y; 2 Cor 9:8 ^z; 12:7-10 ^aa; Phil 4:10-13 ^ab; Heb 13:5 ^ac.
Summary for 1Tim 6:11-16: 6:11-16 ^ad Before ending the discussion of wealth, Paul exhorts Timothy to live beyond reproach, commanding him to flee from desire for wealth.
6:12 ^ae The promise of eternal life moderates the appeal of wealth (cp. 6:19 ^af).

• Paul is probably referring to the time when Timothy declared his faith at baptism.
6:13 ^ag Paul emphasizes the historical nature of Christ’s mediating work (see 2:5-6 ^ah). The testimony of Christ Jesus at his trial before Pontius Pilate (Matt 27:11-14 ^ai; Luke 23:1-4 ^aj; John 18:33-38 ^ak; 19:9-11 ^al) holds up his example as an incentive for Timothy to remain steadfast under pressure.
6:14 ^am until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again (literally until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ): Christ’s comings, both past (2 Tim 1:10 ^an; Titus 2:11 ^ao) and future (2 Tim 4:1 ^ap, 8 ^aq; Titus 2:13 ^ar), are described in the letters to Timothy and Titus as “epiphanies” or “appearances.” An epiphany is a divine intervention in a particular historical moment. The church is positioned between these past and future appearances of Christ. Christ’s first, saving epiphany made possible a new life; his future epiphany will achieve final salvation. Though the present is evil (the “last times,” 1 Tim 4:1-3 ^as; 2 Tim 3:1-9 ^at), our anticipation of Christ’s appearance creates accountability for living a godly life in the present. By contrast, the false teachers advocated sinful behaviors because they assumed the resurrection had already occurred (2 Tim 2:18 ^au). In response, Paul makes clear that salvation has begun but is not yet complete. The conduct of God’s household requires responsible living in the light of Christ’s past, present, and future saving work (1 Tim 3:15-16 ^av; Titus 2:11-14 ^aw).
Summary for 1Tim 6:15-16: 6:15-16 ^ax At just the right time (cp. 2:6 ^ay), God will complete the salvation promised to us before the world began (2 Tim 1:9 ^az; Titus 1:2 ^ba), which Christ enacted in his first appearance (1 Tim 2:6 ^bb; Titus 1:3 ^bc). The saving work of Christ is positioned within God’s sovereign and eternal purposes. This thought leads naturally into worship of God our Savior (cp. 1 Tim 1:17 ^bd).

• This material might be quoted from a baptismal confession (see study note on 6:12).
Summary for 1Tim 6:17-19: 6:17-19 ^be In light of 6:11-16 ^bf, it is folly to treasure the transient wealth of this age (Jas 5:3 ^bg). It is better to store up treasure for the coming age through trust in God and by being rich in good works and generous in love for others (see 1 Tim 1:5 ^bh).
Summary for 1Tim 6:17-18: 6:17-18 ^bi for our enjoyment: Christian hope does not lead to asceticism or communism but to the management of resources (Gen 1:28-30 ^bj; 2:15 ^bk), which we are to use for enjoyment (see 1 Tim 4:3-5 ^bl; Ps 145:16 ^bm; Acts 14:17 ^bn) and for sharing Christ’s love with others (see Luke 12:16-34 ^bo; 2 Cor 8:1–9:15 ^bp).
Summary for 1Tim 6:20-21: 6:20-21 ^bq This brief but pointed exhortation summarizes and shows the importance of Timothy’s task in Ephesus (cp. 1:18-20 ^br; 2 Tim 1:13-14 ^bs). 6:20 ^bt what God has entrusted to you (literally the deposit): The Good News is a deposit entrusted to the church and its leaders for safekeeping (1:15 ^bu; 2:5-6 ^bv; 3:16 ^bw). It encompasses the whole pattern of conduct that follows from it (2 Tim 1:13-14 ^bx; 3:10-11 ^by). It stabilizes and purifies the church when it is buffeted by counterfeits in the polluted environment of difficult times (2 Tim 3:1 ^bz). The deposit belongs to the “tradition” of the church (see 2 Tim 2:2 ^ca; 1 Cor 11:23-25 ^cb; 15:1-8 ^cc; 2 Thes 2:15 ^cd; 3:6 ^ce). It requires creative and faithful interpretation to meet changing circumstances and problems (see 2 Tim 1:12-14 ^cf).
6:21 ^cg The letter closes abruptly. Evidently there was no need of directions for the mission (cp. Titus 3:12-14 ^ch) and greetings were unnecessary or unsuitable (cp. Titus 3:15 ^ci; Rom 16:3-16 ^cj).

• you all: The letter was sent to Timothy but was intended to be read to the whole church (see 1 Timothy Book Introduction, “Literary Genre”).