1 Timothy – Chapter 6

New Testament21 Verses

Chapter Summary

1 Timothy 6 opens with the words: "Whosoever are servants under the yoke, let them count their masters worthy of all honour; lest the name of the Lord and his doctrine be…" The chapter centers on Timothy and Pilate. Across its 21 verses, two threads run through the text: faith and trust in God and repentance and conversion. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Whosoever are servants under the yoke, let them count their masters worthy of all honour; lest the name of the Lord and his doctrine be blasphemed.

2But they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but serve them the rather, because they are faithful and beloved, who are partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

3If any man teach otherwise and consent not to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to that doctrine which is according to godliness,

4He is proud, knowing nothing, but sick about questions and strifes of words; from which arise envies, contentions, blasphemies, evil suspicions,

5Conflicts of men corrupted in mind and who are destitute of the truth, supposing gain to be godliness.

6But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7For we brought nothing into this world: and certainly we can carry nothing out.

8But having food and wherewith to be covered, with these we are content.

9For they that will become rich fall into temptation and into the snare of the devil and into many unprofitable and hurtful desires, which drown men into destruction and perdition.

10For the desire of money is the root of all evils; which some coveting have erred from the faith and have entangled themselves in many sorrows.

11But thou, O man of God, fly these things: and pursue justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, mildness.

12Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called and be it confessed a good confession before many witnesses.

13I charge thee before God who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate, a good confession:

14That thou keep the commandment without spot, blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15Which in his times he shall shew, who is the Blessed and only Mighty, the King of kings and Lord of lords:

16Who only hath immortality and inhabiteth light inaccessible: whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and empire everlasting. Amen.

17Charge the rich of this world not to be highminded nor to trust in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God (who giveth us abundantly all things to enjoy)

18To do good, to be rich in good work, to give easily, to communicate to others,

19To lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the true life.

20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding the profane novelties of words and oppositions of knowledge falsely so called.

21Which some promising, have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

Important Verses in 1 Timothy 6

Whosoever are servants under the yoke, let them count their masters worthy of all honour; lest the name of the Lord and his doctrine be blasphemed.

1 Timothy 6:1

But thou, O man of God, fly these things: and pursue justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, mildness.

1 Timothy 6:11

Which in his times he shall shew, who is the Blessed and only Mighty, the King of kings and Lord of lords:

1 Timothy 6:15

Which some promising, have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

1 Timothy 6:21

Historical Context

1 Timothy belongs to the New Testament and was composed for timothy and the church at Ephesus, ordered for sound doctrine and worship. Chapter 6 of 6 brings the book to its close, gathering up themes introduced earlier. It is a apostolic teaching addressed to a Christian community with 21 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Timothy and Pilate appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "Whosoever are servants under the yoke, let them count their masters worthy of all honour; lest the name of the Lord and…" The final verse reads: "Which some promising, have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. " In terms of historical background, Written to Timothy, Paul's spiritual son, left to oversee the church at Ephesus. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: About AD 63-65.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle Paul

When It Was Written

About AD 63-65

Catholic Commentary

The apostolic author instructs the Church on doctrine, morality, and community life. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Whosoever are servants under the yoke, let them count their masters worthy of all honour; lest the name of the Lord and his doctrine be blasphemed." The passage repeatedly touches on faith and trust in God.

Catholic exegesis reads 1 Timothy 6 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. this letter grounds Catholic teaching on ordained ministry (CIC 1577). St. Thomas Aquinas and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1431).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.
  • True conversion means turning away from sin and returning to God with our whole heart.
  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.

People in This Chapter

Timothy1 mentionPilate1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches 1 Timothy Chapter 6 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that church order and sound doctrine is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing the call to holiness in ordinary life.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 618) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 Timothy Chapter 6 about?

1 Timothy 6 contains 21 verses. It opens with "Whosoever are servants under the yoke, let them count their masters worthy of all honour; lest the name of the Lord and…" and closes with "Which some promising, have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. ". The book as a whole is pastoral epistle.

What is a key verse in 1 Timothy 6?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Whosoever are servants under the yoke, let them count their masters worthy of all honour; lest the name of the Lord and his doctrine be blasphemed." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 1 Timothy Chapter 6?

This chapter mentions Timothy, Pilate.

Who wrote 1 Timothy and when?

The Apostle Paul. About AD 63-65.

Deepen your understanding with these related articles