food = nourishment. Greek. diatrophe . Only here. raiment = covering, perhaps including shelter. Greek. skepasma , Only here. content . Same word as 2 Corinthians 12:9 (sufficient). Hebrews 13:5 . read more
but having food and covering we shall be therewith content.Food, clothing and shelter are the three basic needs of mankind; and all three are included here. "The use of the word COVERING here seems designed to favor this double application."[14] Whoever, therefore, has food to eat, clothes to wear and shelter from the elements, with something left over for the aid of others is RICH! As Gould said, "This is a rigorous standard,"[15] and by it, there are a great many rich people.[14] Ibid.[15] J.... read more
8. And—Greek, "But." In contrast to the greedy gain-seekers ( :-). having—so long as we have food. (The Greek expresses "food sufficient in each case for our continually recurring wants" [ALFORD]). It is implied that we, as believers, shall have this ( :-). raiment—Greek, "covering"; according to some including a roof to cover us, that is, a dwelling, as well as clothing. let us be therewith content—literally, "we shall be sufficiently provided"; "we shall be sufficed" [ALFORD]. read more
V. INSTRUCTIONS FOR GROUPS WITHIN THE CHURCH 6:1-19In the last major section of this letter Paul called on Timothy to instruct the members of various groups within the church concerning their Christian duty. read more
B. False teachers 6:3-10Paul returned to instructions concerning the false teachers (cf. 1 Timothy 1:3-11; 1 Timothy 4:1-5) to alert Timothy to their underlying attitudes so he could deal with them effectively.". . . Paul issues a kind of ’wanted poster.’ It is the counterpart to the ’job description’ given in chapter 3." [Note: Towner, 1-2 Timothy . . ., p.135.] read more
Paul urged Timothy to remember that real "gain" comes from the acquisition of true godliness that includes an attitude of contentment with one’s material possessions. It does not come from teaching godliness to others primarily to receive pay for doing so. That conduct demonstrates an attitude of discontent with one’s material possessions.The apostle further reminded Timothy that there is really no relationship between godliness and one’s material possessions. Material things are transitory. As... read more
6:8 content (c-9) Or 'let us be satisfied.' read more
Concerning Servants, the Rich, and Corrupt Teachers1, 2. The eighth charge to Timothy, as to bondservants or slaves. We have here an indication of the way in which Christianity abolished slavery—not by denouncing it, but by implanting the idea of Christian brotherhood, which was incompatible with it: see Intro, to Philemon. If a Christian were the slave of an unbeliever, his submissiveness was to be such as to earn credit for his profession. If he had a Christian master, he was to be the more... read more
(8) And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.—The Greek word rendered “let us be content” is better translated, we shall have a sufficiency. The argument will run thus: “All earthly possessions are only for this life; here, if we have the wherewithal to clothe us and to nourish us, we shall have enough;” if we have more than this, St. Paul goes on to show, we shall be in danger of falling into temptation.There is no contradiction between this reading and that contained in this... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 6:3-16
Trouble-makers and God’s servant (6:3-16)The teaching of the false teachers differs from that of Christ, and their conduct likewise differs. Their kind of teaching arises out of pride and creates argument, which in turn leads to suspicious thoughts and insulting talk about others. Paul knows that their real reason for setting themselves up as Christian teachers is to become rich (3-5).Christianity does make a person rich, but not in the way the false teachers think. Christians are rich when... read more