The big picture
1 Timothy 6 opens in verse 1 with “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 11 with “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness…”, and closes in verse 21 with “Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.” Repeated or prominent terms include good, faith, godliness, Christ, Jesus. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
1 Timothy · King James Version · 211 Timothy 6:1-7
1–7: Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters…
1 Timothy 6:1–7 opens with “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that…” and reaches “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on A content worker resisting greed, a wealthy believer becoming generous, and Timothy guarding what has been entrusted, with particular weight carried by godliness, nothing, words.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
“And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them…” The line’s distinctive content terms include believing, beloved, benefit. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.
1 Timothy 6:1-7
King James Version1Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1 Timothy 6:8-14
8–14: Having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1 Timothy 6:8–14 opens with “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” and reaches “That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on A content worker resisting greed, a wealthy believer becoming generous, and Timothy guarding what has been entrusted, with particular weight carried by faith, good, Christ.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men…” The line’s distinctive content terms include destruction, drown, fall. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.
1 Timothy 6:8-14
King James Version8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9But 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.
10For 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.
11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, where unto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1 Timothy 6:15-21
15–21: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate…
1 Timothy 6:15–21 opens with “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and…” and reaches “Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on A content worker resisting greed, a wealthy believer becoming generous, and Timothy guarding what has been entrusted, with particular weight carried by good, Amen, rich.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see…” Naming Amen keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Timothy 6:15-21
King James Version15Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16Who 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.
17Charge 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;
18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
21Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
1 Timothy 6:1 begins with “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.”
Where the chapter turns
1 Timothy 6:11 forms a natural hinge: “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”
The final note
1 Timothy 6:21 leaves the reader with “Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words good, faith, godliness, Christ, Jesus, Lord help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What repeated description explains the judgment?
The earth is corrupt and filled with violence, especially in verses 11-13.
What does obedience look like here?
Detailed preparation, gathering provisions and constructing what God commands.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.