1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, in order that the name of God and His doctrine be not blasphemed. (Christians should work hard for their employers, regardless of their employer's religious affiliation. If you dig ditches for a living, be the best ditch digger, and you won't be digging ditches for long.)
2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren;
but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, those who are partaking of the good work. These things teach and exhort.
B N 3-6. False teachers.
O n 7-10. Riches. Danger.
o 11-14. Charge.
P 15,16. Ascription and Doxology.
O n 17-19. Riches. Duty.
o 20. Charge.
N 21-. False teachers.
3 If any one teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; (Chapter by chapter and verse by verse, it will steer you the right way.)
4 He is puffed up, knowing nothing, but sick in the mind (or diseased) about questions and strifes of words, out of which comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men corrupted as to their mind, and deprived of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain: from such withdraw yourself. (There is nothing wrong with a person enjoying the fruits of their labor. The problem arises when making money becomes more important than God.)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. (Contentment is also the ability to ward off trouble when it comes your way. Fortifying yourself with God's Word gives you contentment. The Spirit of He that is in you gives you the strength to blow anything evil back away from you and your family.)
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and neither do we can carry nothing out. (Your work will go with you, but, you will not carry them, they will follow you. Rev. 14:13. Actually, your works proceed you. They are already written in the book, when you arrive.)
8 And having nourishment and covering (perhaps including shelter) let us be therewith content. (The word content in this verse means sufficient. Plan ahead, and you will always have sufficient.)
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. (See John 17:12. Desire for wealth can be more dangerous than wealth itself.)
10 For the love of money is the root of all the evils: which while some horded over, they were seduced from the faith, and pierced themselves through by many sorrows. (See Heb. 13:5. Don't allow greed for money to get in the way of your faith. God knows your need.)
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you are also called, and confessed a good confession in the sight many witnesses. (Greed for money and material things that receive priority over one's faith can be very expensive. It can cost them their very soul. Fight the good fight of faith. Eternal life is well worth the fight.)
13 I give you charge before God, Who preserves alive all things, and before Christ Jesus, Who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That you keep this commandment unspotted, unrebukable (same as blameless), until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15 Which (refers to "appearing") in His own seasons (cp. Acts 1:7) He shall show, the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 Who only has deathlessness, inhabiting light unapproachable; whom no one of men has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.
17 Charge them that are rich in the present world, that they be not high-minded, nor set their hope upon the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, Who provides us richly all things for enjoyment;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
20 O Timothy, guard the deposit which is committed to your deposit (the deposit entrusted to Timothy was the teaching regarding the mystery [3:16]), turning aside from profane vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: (There is much science [knowledge] which does not deserve the name, being only speculation.)
21 Which some professing erred concerning the faith.
Grace be with you. Amen.