1 Timothy 6:2b-21

Read 1 Timothy 6:2b-21 

Helpful Background Information:

• The book of 1 Timothy was likely written around AD 64, which was likely right before his final imprisonment in Rome that would lead to his execution. During this time, the Ephesian church, of which Timothy was the pastor, was struggling with false teachings. Through this letter, Paul centers on the gospel and on the characteristics of a Christ centered church.

• Paul wrote 1 & 2 Timothy to Timothy, who was the son of a Greek father and a Jewish-Christian mother. At this point, Timothy was a young pastor at the church in Ephesus and had been a help to Paul during the first of his Roman imprisonments. 

• At the end of 1 Timothy, Paul takes his focus to giving instruction for certain groups within the church that he felt the need to address. In Paul’s final instructions, he summarizes some of the sound teaching that he believes is important to believers and to Timothy. 

Reflection Questions: 

• This chapter starts by talking about where true riches come from. What role does contentment play in your life? How can you be content with what you have now?

• Read and reread verses 11-16. What part of the Christian walk described here is difficult for you to follow? Ask the Holy Spirit to grow this in you.

• In verse 20, Paul charges Timothy to guard the truth that God has trusted to him and to avoid false teaching. Where is the truth found? Where do you find false teaching? How can you avoid being bent away from the truth?