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1 Timothy 6

Paul confronts greed and corrupt teaching, charging Timothy to pursue godliness and direct believers’ hope toward the living God.

Paul instructs Timothy about enslaved believers and their conduct toward masters, including masters who share their faith. He then confronts teachers who turn religion into a way to gain wealth. Against their greed, he sets contentment and warns of the ruin that can follow the pursuit of riches. Timothy receives a charge to remain faithful until Christ appears. The letter closes with instructions for wealthy believers and a final command to guard the teaching entrusted to him.

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1Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed.
2Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
3If anyone teaches a different doctrine and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness,
4he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions,
5constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such.
6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out.
8But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.
9But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.
10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
12Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
13I command you before God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession,
14that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15which at the right time he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
16He alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen nor can see, to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.
17Charge those who are rich in this present age that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;
18that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share;
19laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.
20Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge,
21which some profess, and thus have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected.
Key verses
1 Timothy 6:17This charge exposes wealth’s uncertainty and grounds the instructions for generous living in hope set on God.
1 Timothy 6:9The determination to become rich carries dangers that explain Paul’s sharp warnings about greed and his call to contentment.
1 Timothy 6:12Timothy’s public confession and call to eternal life anchor the command to persevere in faith.
Where this chapter reaches

The charge to guard entrusted teaching and the image of fighting for faith connect this chapter with 2 Timothy; Matthew shares its teaching about treasure and devotion to God. Philippians shares the theme of contentment, while Proverbs also warns against trusting wealth.

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Questions people ask about 1 Timothy 6

Does 1 Timothy 6 say money is the root of all evil?

Verse 10 says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” The warning concerns greed and its power to draw people away from faith. Verses 17–19 address people who already have wealth, commanding humility, hope in God, good works, and readiness to share.

What does “Fight the good fight of faith” mean in 1 Timothy 6:12?

Paul charges Timothy to persevere in the faith he confessed before witnesses. The surrounding commands explain the struggle: flee greed, pursue godly character, and keep the commandment until Christ appears. The language describes steadfast allegiance to Christ amid temptation and false teaching; it does not call for physical violence.

Does 1 Timothy 6 approve of slavery?

Verses 1–2 address believers living under slavery and direct their conduct toward masters, with concern for God’s name and Christian teaching. Paul does not command the creation of slavery or explain its moral status here. The passage leaves the institution in place; it gives masters no permission to abuse those under their power.

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What the Bible says about money →

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).