1 Timóteo 6
John Gill · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Timóteo 6:9
Gill says "Satan may be compared to a fowler (hunts for birds); his temptations to sin are his nets and snares; and they that will be rich, are the birds that are caught and entangled therein, out of which sometimes it is impracticable to extricate themselves." However, as discussed above under "temptation", James makes it quite clear that each person has a resident "tempter to evil" in the form of our fallen flesh and thus the trap could as easily be ascribed to that agent. (Related resource: the world, the flesh and the devil) Figuratively pagis was often used in Greek in connection with seductive women, Solomon writing of the lad who follows the seductress… Until an arrow pierces through his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, so he does not know that it will cost him his life. (Proverbs 7:23) Riches are a snare that brings one into bondage, not into freedom. Riches not only fail to give true satisfaction, but generate additional desires (many foolish and harmful desires) which cry out to the fallen flesh to gratified. Wiersbe alludes to the "trap" of desire for riches writing that "an increase in wealth often leads to an increase in evil. It's good to have things that money can buy, if we don't lose the things money can't buy. It's sad when people start to confuse prices with values!" (Ibid) William S. Plumer writes on Riches - Tempting, seductive, dangerous and ruinous By reason of sin, riches are ordinarily tempting, seductive, dangerous and ruinous. A right view of the perils of wealth would, with the divine blessing, have a mighty efficacy in curing our covetousness and discontent, and in causing us to cease improperly to love what we have, or sinfully to desire that which belongs to others. When one says to himself, "You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!" (Luke 12:19) destruction is already at the door! No state of mind is more opposite to the spirit of the gospel, than that of slothfulness, high living, banqueting, and carnal mirth. "Sodom's sins were pride, laziness, and gluttony." Ezek 16:49 Wantonness and luxury, sloth and corruption usually go together. The great nourisher of these is wealth. "Covetousness is idolatry." It disowns Jehovah. It sets up gold to be worshiped. It brings man, like the serpent, to lick the dust. It sadly perverts God's mercies, as well as all our own thoughts. It makes men believe in … no God but mammon, no devil but the absence of gold, no damnation but being poor, no hell but an empty purse. David speaks of "men of the world, who have their portion in this life." Psalm 17:14. To lead a Christian life is to give up one's idols. Oh that men would believe their final Judge, when He says, "You cannot serve God and mammon!" (The Ten Commandments) CONTENT OR COVETOUS? . . . be content with such things as you have. Hebrews 13:5 Many people are discontented. They are always comparing themselves and what they have with someone who has more. Even when their circumstances are favorable, they are dissatisfied. Instead of being grateful for what God has given them, they become covetous. As a result, they miss God's best for their lives and fail to see and appreciate the blessings they already have. An ancient Persian legend tells of a wealthy man by the name of Al Haffed who owned a large farm. One evening a visitor related to him tales of fabulous amounts of diamonds that could be found in other parts of the world, and of the great riches they could bring him. The vision of all this wealth made him feel poor by comparison. So instead of caring for his own prosperous farm, he sold it and set out to find these treasures. But the search proved to be fruitless. Finally, penniless and in despair, he committed suicide by jumping into the sea. Meanwhile, the man who had purchased his farm noticed one day the glint of an unusual stone in a shallow stream on the property. He reached into the water, and to his amazement he pulled out a huge diamond. Later, when working in his garden, he uncovered many more valuable gems. Poor Al Haffed had spent his life traveling to distant lands seeking jewels when on the farm he had left behind were all the precious stones his heart could have ever desired. Fret not for want of earthly things, They'll never satisfy; " The secret of contentment is To let the Lord supply. --D.J.D. Discontentment makes rich men poor while contentment makes poor men rich. AND MANY FOOLISH AND HARMFUL DESIRES: kai epithumias pollas anoetous kai blaberas: many: Mk 4:19 Eph 4:22 1Jn 2:15-17 1 Timothy 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Many (4183)(polus) consists of or amounting to a large but indefinite number.
1 Timóteo 6:9
Gill says Paul's description is that of "utter ruin… the ruin both of soul and body… which is irrecoverable, like that of the drowning of a man in the sea, with a millstone about his neck; such folly and danger do those expose themselves to, who will be rich at any (cost - indeed it ends up costly them their very life and soul!). Hiebert says: The word translated "drown" (plunge) is literally "sink"; it gives the picture of these lusts overwhelming the man, like the waves covering a sinking ship, and plunging him into perdition. Guthrie says: Three clear steps of decline are discernible, first the lure, then the lust, and finally the total moral ruin. The verb buthizo (drown) vividly represents the desire for wealth as a personal monster, which plunges its victim into an ocean of complete destruction. Jesus gave the strongest warning to those who would desire to truly be His disciples (cp Jn 8:31, 32)… And He summoned the multitude with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel's shall save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:34-36) Plunge (1036)(buthizo from buthos = the depth) to cause to go down into water or other liquid substance. To sink in the deep (Literally and passively Lk 5:7). To cause to sink, submerge, or “drag to the bottom. Paul uses buthizo here in 1Ti 6:9 meaning to cause someone to experience serious consequences and in the present tense indicates the continuing effect of the previously mentioned "foolish and harmful desires" is "drowning" in destruction, so to speak! Or picture the luxurious Titanic on its maiden voyage, seemingly invulnerable, invincible, inviolable, and yet quickly sinking to the depths of the sea on impact an iceberg. Riches are like "icebergs" not appearing that dangerous on the surface (for only part is visualized) but deadly down deep where the dangers are invisible and thus deceive the sense into thinking they are "safe"! These persons are "drowned" by defective desires! Be careful what you desire! (Instead… Mt 6:33+, Psalm 27:4+, Colossians 3:1+, Colossians 3:2+) There is only one other use of buthizo in the NT… Lk 5:7+ (Context Lk 5:6) And they signaled to their partners in the other boat, for them to come and help them. And they came, and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. There is one use in the Apocrypha… 2 Maccabees 12:4 this was done by public vote of the city. When the Jews, not suspecting treachery and wishing to live on friendly terms, accepted the invitation, the people of Joppa took them out to sea and drowned (Lxx = buthizo) at least two hundred of them. Which plunge men into ruin (olethros) and destruction (apoleia) - (Taylor's Paraphrases it = "finally send them to hell itself" TLB) Although not clearly stated, Paul's use of the words ruin and destruction" strongly suggest that this truth is not just applicable to this life but to life in eternity future. Indeed, if one continually seeks gold over God, he or she may indeed gain gold in this short life, but lose God in the eternal existence! A sad, very bad exchange I might add! Don't be deceived and ensnared by the "bait" of riches. Lock points out that "The combination (found here only) is emphatic, "loss for time and eternity."
1 Timóteo 6:13-14
Gill writes that God "quickens (makes alive) all His people, at first conversion, when dead in sin, and afterwards when dull and lifeless; and who will quicken the dead at the last day. This seems to be mentioned to strengthen Timothy against the fears of death, that should he die in fighting the Lord's battles, he was able to raise him from the dead, and would do it. TDNT - In Greek zoopoieo, like zoogoneo, is used from the time of Aristotle. and Theophrastus in the sense of “to make alive,” usually of the birth of animals or in the med. of the growth of plants. In this sense it is also used of the Godhead. (Comment: The Greek Textus Receptus uses zoopoieo (make life), but the better manuscripts favor zoogoneo.) Steven Cole sees this truth that God gives (and preserves) life as an encouragement to ministry in difficult circumstances, writing "I read about a pastor in India who felt God’s call to go to the second most sacred site for a Hindu pilgrimage and plant a church there. His wife chose to go with him, taking along their children, even though the last missionary who tried to live there had been murdered and his head placed in the temple. They went and lived in poverty, in filthy conditions, with no human means of support. In the fifteen years he has been there, this man of God has been beaten many times, he has been threatened with being skinned and thrown into the sea, his oldest son has been beaten and threatened with crucifixion for preaching, and the schools he has built for pastors have been burned to the ground, and he has built them again. But he perseveres, willing to lay down his life for Christ, because he trusts in the God who gives life to all and he knows that Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate is with him. (Integrity Under Fire) AND OF CHRIST JESUS, WHO TESTIFIED THE GOOD CONFESSION BEFORE PONTIUS PILATE: kai Christou Iesou tou marturesantos (AAPMSG) epi Pontiou Pilatou ten kalen homologian,: Who testified: Mt 27:11 Jn 18:36-37 Jn 19:11 Rev 1:5 3:14 1 Timothy 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 27:11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “It is as you say. John 18:36-37 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” And of Christ Jesus - This combined name signifies His divinity about which the OT prophesied (Christ = the promised Messiah - Mk 12:35, Mk 14:61, 62, Lk 3:15, 4:41, 9:20, 24:26) and His humanity (Jesus - Mt 1:21, cp Jn 1:1, 14, 17). W E Vine has some additional thoughts on these names noting that… The order of the titles Jesus Christ and Christ Jesus is always significant: “Christ Jesus” describes the one who was with the Father in eternal glory, and Who came to earth, becoming incarnate; “Jesus Christ” describes Him as the One who humbled Himself, who was despised and rejected, and endured the Cross, but who was afterwards exalted and glorified. “Christ Jesus” testifies to His preexistence; “Jesus Christ” to His resurrection and exaltation. Christ Jesus describes the Exalted One who became incarnate and testifies to His preexistence; Jesus Christ describes the despised and rejected One Who was afterwards glorified (Php 2:11), and testifies to His resurrection. “Christ Jesus” suggests His grace, “Jesus Christ” suggests His glory. (see "glory" and "grace" in Jn 1:14) In the epistles of James, Peter, John, and Jude, men who had companied with the Lord in the days of His flesh, “Jesus Christ” is the invariable order of the name and title, for this was the order of their experience; as “Jesus” they knew Him first; that He was Messiah they learnt finally in His resurrection. But Paul came to know Him first in the glory of heaven (Acts 9:1–6), and, his experiences being thus the reverse of theirs, the reverse order, “Christ Jesus,” is of frequent occurrence in his letters, but, with the exception of Acts 24:24, does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. Who testified (witnessed) (3140)(martureo from mártus = witness = one who has information or knowledge of something and can bring to light or confirm something. English = martyr) in its most basic sense refers to a legal witness. Thus the verb martureo means to be a witness, to testify, to give evidence, to give testimony, to bear record, to affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something. The words testified related to fact, not opinion, as in a courtroom setting. Hendriksen feels Paul "presents two reasons why Timothy should do as he has just been told: (1) Let him not fear for his life, for the charge is given and received under the very eyes of that God who is the Bestower and Preserver of life, the "life-generating" God. (2) Let him remember what Christ Jesus did when he was testifying before an enemy of the truth. Before Pontius Pilate he stood firm, and, bearing witness before him by word and deed, thus made the beautiful confession, thereby proving himself to be "the faithful witness." (Borrow Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles) White has an interesting thought which might explain why Paul's description of Jesus' confession utilizes a different verb (martureo) compared to that used to describe Timothy's confession (homologeo) in 1Ti 6:12 "The utterances and acts of Jesus, as Man, are human; yet He spoke and acted as no other man ever did. Matt. 17:27 (“That take, and give unto them for Me and thee,” not “for us”) and John 20:17 (“I ascend unto My Father and your Father,” etc. not our Father or our God) illustrate very well this difference between Jesus and His brethren in relations which they share alike. This is why Paul does not here use homologeo homologia of Christ, but employs instead the unusual martureo homologia. Jesus is the "faithful (pistos) witness (martus - root of martureo) in Rev 1:5, and the "faithful (pistos) and true Witness (martus) in Rev. 3:14. (1 Timothy 6 Commentary) It is also significant that the root noun of martureo is martus which was used to describe the death (martyrdom) of Stephen (Acts 22:20) and of Antipas (Rev 2:13). Therefore is possible that Paul's use of martureo of Christ is an allusion to His death based on Pilate's decree following His good confession. Christ Jesus bore witness before Pilate based on His personal, perfect (omniscient) knowledge affirming that He is Who He and others said He was (is and forevermore will be)! Why would Paul remind Timothy of the good confession of His Lord? He had just stated in 1Ti 6:12 that Timothy had confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. The writer of Hebrews gives us a clue writing that we are called to run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:1, 2) It is as if Paul is encouraging him, challenging him on saying "Dear Timothy, fix your eyes on Jesus, even as I did in my race (1Cor 4:16, 11:1, cp 1 Peter 2:21, 1Jn 2:6) Watch how He ran the race set before Him. Recall how He finished, unafraid to give the good confession, even though it would cost Him His life. Finish strong like your Lord, young Timothy, so that you too will be able to declare after the last lap of that "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. in the future there is laid up for me...."(2Ti 4:7, 8) In light of God's life giving power and Christ's willingness to give a witness which cost Him His life, Timothy should be deeply motivated (cp Pr 23:7KJV) to "keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1Ti 6:14), at which time he like Paul would receive the "the crown of righteousness, which the Lord… will award to… all who have loved His appearing." (2Ti 4:8) And how would Timothy demonstrate that he "loved His appearing?" By keeping His commandments of His Lord (Jn 14:15, 21, 23, 24 cp 1Ti 6:14). W E Vine feels that Christ's confession was meant to encourage Timothy "by reason of the example set by his Master before Pilate in view of the terrible death which would inevitably issue from the confession He was making. Such faithfulness has provided, and should ever provide, an incentive to His servants to face danger and death in the same way, with the higher motive of unswerving fidelity to Christ Himself. The good confession - The beautiful, noble confession (see good = kalos) Other renderings - "fearlessly witnessed to the truth" (Phillips); "Gave a fearless testimony" (TLB). What was the "good confession?" Surely this is Jesus' affirmative reply to Pilate's question… Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” (Mt 27:11). Comment: Jesus did not deny He was a King but His kingdom was not of this world, which would encourage Timothy to "Keep disentangled from all earthly things, live to and for God, and all will be well." (Adam Clarke) Confession (3671)( homologia from homoú = together with + légo = say) means literally the statement of the same thing and thus expresses agreement with another. It represents the open expression of one's allegiance to a proposition or a person. Such a confession is the effect of deep conviction regarding the facts (Truth). This word group (verb - homologeo, noun = homologia) has strong legal connotations. And so a person can confess to a charge in court and thus openly acknowledge guilt. Or one may agree with a court order and thus make a legally binding commitment to abide by it. Robert F Horton comments on Jesus' confession "His confession before Pilate became the model, the motive, and the power of all the confessions which His followers make for Him. (The pastoral epistles Timothy and Titus - Robert Forman Horton - Page 136) Before Pontius Pilate (see note for more detail)- His name "Pilate" means "armed with a spear." Smith writes that he was "the sixth Roman procurator of Judea, and under him our Lord worked, suffered and died, as we learn not only from Scripture, but from Tacitus (Ann. xv. 44)." HISTORICITY OF PILATE VERIFIED… BY SECULAR HISTORY BY ARCHEOLOGY Pontius Pilate was a real historical person, just as was Christ Jesus. See the discussion of archaeological discovery of the name of Pontius Pilate in 1961 - Pontius Pilate The secular Roman historian Tacitus records this note in the context of the burning of Rome under evil Nero's rule, writing that… all human efforts, all the lavish gifts of the emperor, and the propitiations of the gods, did not banish the sinister belief that the conflagration was the result of an order. Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted (Ed: Tacitus is referring to Christians who were brutally murdered by Nero and yet blessedly martyred by God! Mt 5:11, 12-note), not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired. (The Annals by Tacitus XV). APPLICATION OF CHRIST'S CONFESSION: CONFESS CHRIST Do not listen to those who say Jesus never said He was God. He clearly made the good confession, not only in front of Pilate, but before many witnesses, especially witnesses who should have known exactly Who He was (see Mk 15:1, 3, Lk 23:1, 2, 4, 5). The "Christus" of Tacitus is a clear secular record of the God Man Jesus Christ! Dear reader, I assume that if you are reading these notes, you have most likely recognized and received Christ, the prophesied Messiah, as your Savior Jesus (Jn 1:12, 13), but if you have not then you must consider the evidence presented above and answer the question and sober warning from the very lips of Christ Jesus Himself… Who do you say that I am? (Mt 16:15-17, Mk 8:29-30, Lk 9:20-22) "I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins." (John 8:24) Do not rationalize or procrastinate or intellectualize, etc, etc… we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain--for He says, "AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU"; behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" (2Cor 6:1-2) There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved." (Acts 16:31) If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (Ro 10:9, 10) Related Resource: Romans Road - The Bridge Illustration on Salvation 1 Timothy 6:14 that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, (NASB: Lockman) Greek: teresai (AAN) se ten entolen aspilon anepilempton mechri tes epiphaneias tou kuriou hemon Iesou Christou, Amplified: To keep all His precepts unsullied and flawless, irreproachable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) (Amplified Bible - Lockman) ESV: to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, KJV: That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Moffatt: I charge you to keep your commission free from stain, free from reproach, till the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ— NET: to obey this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ NLT: hat you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. (NLT - Tyndale House)
1 Timóteo 6:16
Gill reminds us that…Angels are immortal, and so are the souls of men, and so will be the bodies of men after the resurrection; but then neither of these have immortality of themselves, they have it from God; who only has it, of himself, originally, essentially, and inderivatively. (1 Timothy 6 Commentary) Jamieson comments that God's immortality is unique for it is…in His own essence, not merely at the will of another, as all other immortal beings [JUSTIN MARTYR]. As He hath immortality, so will He give it to us who believe; to be out of Him is death. It is mere heathen philosophy that attributes to the soul indestructibility in itself, which is to be attributed solely to God's gift. As He hath life in Himself, so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself (Jn 5:26). (1 Timothy 6 Commentary) John