1 Timothy 6:20. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

1 Timothy 6:21. Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

Paul closes out his instructions and the entire epistle with a final appeal to Timothy to take care of his "trust" (v. 20). The gospel had been given to Timothy as a sacred trust to be guarded with his life and to be used for eternal good. The empty kinds of squabbles which were being forced upon him by the false, gnostic like teachers were to be avoided.

Paul's concluding word for Timothy was "grace" (v. 21). This word, which decribes the unmerited favor of God, also can mean "beauty", "thanksgiving" and even "gift". All of these were Timothy's through the love and favor of the Lord.

Paul's words to Timothy about wealth bear a rather simple message. Money is never worthy of consuming desire, never adequate as the goal of one's life. When it is made such, it elads only to human wreckage. But money can be a tool of religion, used to alleviate people's needs and burdens, used to serve others rather than to exalt self. When used this way, it is replaced by a different and better kind of wealth, one that even in itself could probably not be considered a life goal, but one which is a rewarding by-product of a life devoted to knowing and serving God.

1 Timothy 6:10. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:17. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

1 Timothy 6:18. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

1 Timothy 6:19. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Paul urged Timothy to remind wealthy people that they were not self-made persons and that the source of their wealth is with God. They had no reason to boast, therefore, but with plenty of reason to praise the Lord and a solemn obligation to use their wealth in His service.

Material things are to be enjoyed but not exploited for sinful pleasure. Enjoymant of material things is greatest when they are shared. "God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Paul turned from negative admonitions for well to do Christians to positive ones. They are to use their possessions as well as everything else at their disposal to "do good" (1Timothy 6:18). In fact they are to find their real wealth in "good works." They are to be generous in giving; and, beyond just being sympathetic toward a needy brother, they are to be willing to share with him. In other words, their wealth is to be used in service to God and others.

By investing their material wealth in service to others, they would actually be putting on deposit with God a lasting treasure (v. 19). This does not mean that eternal life can be purchased by the right size of offerings or charities! But it does mean that a person cannot hold to this world's goods and eternal life at the same time. It is only as we let go of the momentary things that we can lay hold of that which is lasting.

2 Timothy 1:6. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

2 Timothy 1:7. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Not only did Timothy come from a devout family, but he had sterling qualities of his own. At some point in the past, Paul had laid hands on Timothy in prophetic acknowledgement of a gift of God within him. This was probably similar to the current practice of laying hands upon people who are ordained in the ministry.

Timothy was called upon to "stir up the gift of God" (v. 6), which means he should not allow it to go to waste. Having been touched and gifted of the Lord was not enough: he must exercise individual effort in consecration and labor to do the Lord's work. Believers should never presume upon the gifts and callings of God. These gifts require constant attention and exercise.

From Paul's assurance that "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power , and of love, and of a sound mind," shows that he was encouraging Timothy to launch out into a bolder and more vigorous ministry. We have been given power for the work that is to be done, love to impel us in doing it, and a sound mind in accomplishing it.

2 Timothy 1:8. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

9. Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

10. But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

11. Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Paul encouraged his young friend to not be ashamed of two things; the testimony of Jesus Christ and the imprisonment of Paul. The word ashamed does not imply thoughts of disgrace, but of timidity and inhibition.

None of us should be too timid to make our stand for Jesus Christ clearly known. Such timidity and reluctance amounts to a denial of our position in Him. Neither should we be intimidated by the world's rejection of the gospel and it's attitude toward Christian living. We must identify ourselves with the gospel and the Christian cause. This is how we become "partakers of the afflictions of the gospel" (v. 8).

Can we be ashamed of Him who would have done so much for us? Can we be too timid to show forth His praise in an unbelieving world when He so freely gave His life for us? Weak and fearful followers of Christ bring Him no glory and hinder the work of others. Of His own good mercy has the Lord saved us all and set us forth as witnesses of His grace.

The gospel of Christ, which is made manifest by His appearing, is the source of confidence and courage. It is the eternal gospel that gives us hope of immortality, eternal life. Actual death does not exist for the true Christian, for the killing of the body, is not the killing of the person. Jesus Himself said "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul" (Matthew 10:28).

2 Timothy 6:9. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

2 Timothy 6:10. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The ambition to obtain wealth, for wealth's sake leads many people into entanglements with the world that lead them into deep into sin. Often they do get rich, but then the pressure is on them to get richer. The accumulation of possessions leads to the accumulation of problems. The more material things they have, the more occupied they are with those things, and the less time they have for spiritual matters. Thus the trail is always downward, and the end is in hell.

The key to the matter is in one's attitudes and motives. God chooses to allow some Christians to become wealthy, and it is no great problem to them, for they are not decieved by thinking that their riches are the source of their contentment. They would be just as happy if they were poor, because their joy is in the Lord and in being allowed to partake of the riches of His salvation.

Money itself offers no problem; it is the love of money, the emphasis on money- as if money, rather than God were the source of good- that it is the problem. The person who covets money is open to attack by the devil and his or her spiritually defenseless life is penetrated with many troubles and sorrows.

A man's treatment of money is the most decisive test of his character- how he makes it and how he spends it.- James Moffatt

1 Timothy 6:13. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

1 Timothy 6:14. That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Timothy 6:15. Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of Lords;

1 Timothy 6:16. Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

All Christians, like Timothy, are placed under a solemn obligation in the "sight of God" (v. 13), as well as in the sight of human witnesses (v. 12), to keep intact the priceless treasure of the gospel. A confession always tells the truth. Though it costs us trials and hardships, we should pay the price to make truth known.

Paul's charge to Timothy was solemnized by its appeal to God the Father and the Son. Jesus Christ was the example to be followed by Timothy, since He too endured successfully His trial and even His crucifixion.

The order of the original words in 6:15, seems to indicate that Paul was now speaking of God the Father, who will manifesat Christ to the world in His second coming- in the time of God's own choosing. God is spoken of as "King of (those who rule as) kings, and Lord of (those who rule as) lords.

Since only God is eternal, He is the only source of immortality (v. 16). If we have hope of life, after death, this hope has to be concentrated in Him. His purity, His holiness, and His wisdom are so great that we cannot approach God on our own-only through Christ as mediator. We can only glorify Him for His indescribable greatness.

Every life should have a purpose to which it can give its energies of its mind and the enthusiasms of its heart. That life without a purpose will be prey to the perverted ways waiting for the uncommitted life.

C. Neil Strait

1 Timothy 6:12. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

"Fight the.....fight" was oringinally a phrase used in athletic events, and could thus mean, "engage in a contest". Its use was broadened to invole any kind of fight or struggle. Timothy had something more important to struggle for than money. He was to grasp hold of the prize in his particular contest, eternal life. It was to this that he was called and to which he had already dedicated himself before many witnesses-those who had observed his baptism or ordination, whichever Paul had in mind

1 Timothy 6:6. But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:7. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

1 Timothy 6:8. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Paul had just been referring to the false teachers who were plaguing Timothy in Ephesus. In verse 5 he had charged them with "supposing that gain is godliness" or as it is better translated, "Supposing godliness to be a means of gain." Like Simon of Samaria (Acts 8:9-24), they were interested in religion only for the profit which it could bring.

Now Paul goes on to say that godliness is a great means of gain with contentment. In other words, godliness is a real means of gain, but not in the temporal possessions. The gain is in the contentment, or self-sufficiency, that it brings--freedom from the need of things for which other people sell their souls.

Since material wealth neither precedes this present life nor survives it, it really is not important enough to be made one's goal. Job said, "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither." (Job 1:21). The Psalmist declared, " For when he dieth [the rich person] he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him." (Psalms 49:17).

"To have what we want is riches; but to be able to do without them is power."- George MacDonald

1 Timothy 6:11. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Paul urged Timothy to flee some things and follow others. As a man of god entrusted with the ministry of the gospel, Timothy was expected to be able to discriminate between goals important to the Christian and goals that would lead to embarrassment and destruction. All Christians should mature spiritually to be known ( not just among Christians but by the world) as people of God. The list in this verse provides the characteristics by which a Christians should be known.

Righteousness means being in right standing with god. Godliness is being devout- having a God-ward attitude that pleases Him. Faith means "faithfulness" or "believing," while believers must love God and people. Christians are to be patient, persevering during trial, while meekness is waiting with anticipation during adversity.