1Ti 6 | HCSB | STEP | All who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters to be worthy of all respect , so that God’s name and His teaching will not be blasphemed .

1 Timothy 6

Honoring Masters

1 All who are under the yoke as ^{▼▼slave: The strong Greek word doulos cannot be accurately translated in English by "servant" or "bond servant"; the HCSB translates this word as "slave," not out of insensitivity to the legitimate concerns of modern English speakers, but out of a commitment to accurately convey the brutal reality of the Roman empire's inhumane institution as well as the ownership called for by Christ.}slaves must regard their own masters ^{▼▼Or owners} to be worthy of all respect, so that God’s name ^c and His teaching will not be blasphemed. 2 Those who have believing masters should not be disrespectful to them because they are ^{▼▼brother(s): The Greek word adelphoi can be used as a reference to males only or to groups that include males and females. It is the context of each usage that determines the proper meaning.}brothers, but should serve them better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved. ^e

False Doctrine and Human Greed

Teach and encourage these things. 3 If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord ^f Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, ^g 4 he is conceited, understanding nothing, but has a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words. ^h From these come envy, ⁱ quarreling, ^j slander, ^k evil suspicions, 5 and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness ^{▼▼Referring to religion as a means of financial gain} is a way to material gain. ^{▼▼Other mss add From such people withdraw yourself.
,} ⁿ 6 But godliness with contentment is a great gain. ^o

7 For we brought nothing into the world,
and ^{▼▼Other mss add it is clear that} we can take nothing out. ^q
8 But if we have food and clothing, ^{▼▼Or food and shelter}
we will be content with these.

9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root ^{▼▼Or is the root} of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith ^t and pierced themselves with many pains.

Fight the Good Fight

11 But you, man of God, run from these things,
and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith,
love, ^u endurance, ^v and gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight ^w for the faith;
take hold of eternal life ^x
that you were called to
and have made a good confession about
in the presence of many witnesses.

13 In the presence of God, who gives life to all, ^y and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius ^{▼▼Pilate: Pontius Pilate was governor of the province of Judea a.d. 26-36.}Pilate, ^aa I charge you 14 to keep the command without fault or failure until the appearing ^ab of our Lord ^ac Jesus Christ. 15 God will bring this about in His own time. ^ad He is

the blessed and only ^ae Sovereign,
the King of kings, ^af
and the Lord of lords, ^ag
16 the only One who has immortality,
dwelling in unapproachable light; ^ah
no one has seen or can see Him, ^ai
to Him be honor and eternal might. ^aj
^{▼▼Amen: The transliteration of a Hebrew word signifying that something is certain, valid, truthful, or faithful; it is often used at the end of biblical songs, hymns, and prayers.}Amen. ^al

Instructions to the Rich

17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant ^am or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, ^{▼▼Other mss read on the living God} who richly provides us with all things ^ao to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, ^ap to be generous, willing to share, ^aq 19 storing up for themselves a good reserve ^{▼▼Or foundation} for the age to come, ^as so that they may take hold of life that is real.

Guard the Heritage

20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, ^at avoiding ^au irreverent, empty speech and contradictions from the “knowledge” that falsely bears that name. ^av 21 By professing it, some ^aw people have deviated from the faith. ^axGrace be with all of you.