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1 Timothy 6:1. Slaves who are under the yoke must consider their masters worthy of all honor, so that there is no blasphemy against the name of God and the teaching. Teach them, he says, and exhort them, so that, although their masters are unfaithful, they obey them, granting them all honor both in words and in deeds. For do not think that you are free, because you are faithful: you are free in your spiritual nature, you freely approach the Lord, but you are a slave in the body. Freedom itself, I say, consists in serving in the name of Christ. And an infidel, if he sees a proud slave, will revile the teaching as conducive to indignation. If he sees that the slave obeys with love, he will be more likely to be surprised at the teaching, which corrects slave customs that are difficult to correct. 1 Timothy 6:2. Those who have faithful masters should not treat them carelessly, because they are brothers; but we must serve them all the more because they are faithful and beloved and do good to [them]. It is impossible that since you have become a brother to the master by virtue of baptism, you can treat him carelessly; on the contrary, in this very thing you find an incentive to serve and slave him with even greater zeal, because he himself is faithful and beloved, that is, a brother instead of a master. Then, remember that he is also your benefactor, worries and cares about you, to feed you, to clothe you and to satisfy your every other need and need: so he has many rights to you, besides the fact that he bought you. Having said: “beloved,” the apostle drives out fear, which servants have towards masters often falls into hatred of them, and instead introduces love. Thus, he says, those who receive benefits, that is, slaves, should serve even more. To make a convenient transition in speech, he adds this, meanwhile in the expression “they are faithful and beloved” the word should be implied: gentlemen. Or it can simply be understood as the text says: “and they do good to [them],” that is, masters who carefully try to do good to slaves. The teacher needs not only power, which is expressed by the word: “teach,” but also meekness, which is contained in the real expression: “admonish.” For he is a doctor, and a doctor sometimes takes with gentleness, and sometimes with strict coercion. 1 Timothy 6:3–4. Whoever teaches otherwise and does not follow the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching of piety is proud and knows nothing. Do you see that complete ignorance drives a person to madness and makes him arrogant, so that whoever does not accept sound doctrine is proud? And pride for a sick soul is the same as inflammation in a bodily wound. So, if he had not become proud, he would have accepted the teaching of the Lord, who humbled Himself, washed the disciples’ feet and said: “Learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly” (Matthew 11:29). He called the “poor in spirit” blessed (Matthew 5:3); He brought out the publican justified for his humility (Luke 18:13–14). Whoever does not accept and does not know this is undoubtedly proud. But he is infected with [a passion] for competitions and word disputes. So, competition is a disease: for where there is no faith, everything is painful; there only a verbal war flares up and nothing more, and the one more skilled in debate strains to overthrow the other. Faith is an eye; He who has no eyes finds nothing, but only seeks. From which come envy, strife, slander, and crafty suspicions. That is, competitions give rise to harmful dogmas. When we indulge in competition, we begin to blaspheme and think things about God that we should not. 1 Timothy 6:5. Empty disputes (διαπαρατριβαὶ). Pouring from empty to empty - διατριβ - was usually called idle talk. Or because, like black sheep, when they rub among healthy ones, they infect them with their disease; so those who teach differently rub their conversations, παρατριβόμενοι, with others and corrupt them. Between people of damaged minds, alien to the truth, who think that piety is for profit. Do you see that word disputes give rise to shameful self-interest? And fair enough. For these debaters, attracting more and more students to themselves, take advantage of them, and strive more and more in disputes in order to attract more and more of them to themselves. He did not say: grab hold of them and fight, but: “depart,” that is, “after the first and second admonition” (Titus 3:10). For those who fight over profit and money, when and how can they be convinced? Therefore, move away from those people who are incorrigible. 1 Timothy 6:6. It is a great gain to be pious and contented. Those disputants, he says, do not consider it an acquisition to be pious. But there is also gain in piety, only not as much as they believe, but much higher. In it, gain is not when you have, but when you do not have, for it teaches contentment. And contentment is great and lasting wealth. Therefore let not the pious lose heart as those who have nothing. 1 Timothy 6:7. For we have brought nothing into the world; It’s obvious that we can’t take anything [from it]. The apostle shows that the gain for which they strive is of no importance. For it remains here and does not accompany us there. Therefore, what need do we have in excess if we don’t take anything with us there? 1 Timothy 6:8. Having food and clothing, we will be content with that. He defines here what contentment should lie in, and says: - in having as much as is enough only for food, and not for pleasure; You should dress in something that protects your body, and simple clothing can do this. 1 Timothy 6:9. And those who want to get rich fall into temptation and into a snare. The apostle convinces with evidence taken from this world. I’m not talking about the future, he says, but look at what’s happening here. He didn’t say: those who are getting rich, but “those who want to get rich.” For anyone, even if he has wealth, can manage it well, because despising it and giving it to the poor is not the job of those who want to get rich. “They fall into temptation and into a snare,” because they sin against faith, and are surrounded by dangers because of wealth, and are afraid of everyone. And into many foolish and harmful lusts. Isn’t it really pointless to feed monkeys and cats, lock up wild animals and fish in your palaces, decorate horses with gold, raise water on the roof, admire the shiny mirror floors in your house? This is senseless and harmful, harmful to spiritual well-being and depletes sensory benefits. And many died because they sought illegal power. So it becomes impossible for them to go up. Of course, as has been said, both the local destruction and the future. 1 Timothy 6:10. For the love of money is the root of all evil. He does not spare the living, nor does he spare the dead, but he robs them too, rebels against his parents and brothers, and sacrilegiously steals God’s property. Drive out the love of money - and there will be no wars, no enmity, no fornication; for the harlot gives herself over to lasciviousness for money. Which, having given themselves over, some have wandered away from the faith. The love of money, attracting all a person’s attention to itself, does not allow him to see the path of truth. For how can a lover of money believe a Gospel that introduces poverty? This is impossible. And they subjected themselves to many sorrows. Even in this life they nailed themselves. In fact, how much grief do they experience? How many people cry? And it is beautifully said: “subjected” *. For worries about wealth are like thorns, as the Lord said (Matthew 13:22). No matter where anyone touches him, he hurts his hands until they bleed, causing himself wounds and illness. 1 Timothy 6:11. You are a man of God. Great dignity! True, all people are God’s, but mostly righteous, not only because they are God’s creations, but also because of their closeness to God. If you are a man of God, then do not look for what turns you away from God, but what? Flee from this, and thrive in righteousness. Do both with intense diligence. He did not say, retreat and approach, but: “flee from this and succeed in righteousness,” so as not to rob anyone, as those who want to get rich do. Which does not allow research. That is, in the right way of life, for its basis is love. From love comes patience and meekness. For love endures all things and is patient. 1 Timothy 6:12. Fight the good fight of faith. That is, stand for your faith unshakably and invincibly - by the power of your words and impeccable life. This is the high reward for the feat - eternal life. For you have been called to the hope of eternal life. And he made a good confession before many witnesses. Here the apostle praises his boldness and courage, as having confessed Christ in the midst of dangers. Or he talks about the confession that happens at baptism, when we confess that we renounce Satan and are united with Christ. Please note that not only confession is required, but also patience in order to remain faithful to your confession all the time, so as not to deviate from it even during severe persecution. 1 Timothy 6:13. Before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, Who bore witness to the good confession before Pontius Pilate, I command you. Increasing fear and making the student more unshakable, he calls God as a witness, showing that these are not human testaments, so that, always having this in mind, he would shake his soul with the memory of this. "All life-giving." Here is encouragement in the midst of danger, and a remembrance of the resurrection; as if the apostle says this: do not be afraid of death, for you are a servant of God, who can give life to everything. “And before Christ Jesus, who testified.” He also takes instruction from the example of the Teacher. As He testified, so we should imitate Him. Having been asked by Pilate: “So, are You a King?” - He answered: “For this purpose I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth” (John 18:37). And He testified and confessed much more. 1 Timothy 6:14. Keep the commandment purely and blamelessly. That is, so that you do not stain yourself with anything either in dogmas or in life. Even before the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is, until your death, until the outcome. However, he did not say that, but said: “even before the appearance,” in order to encourage him more, reminding him of that terrible glory. 1 Timothy 6:15–16. Which in due time will open. That is, at a decent, predetermined time. Therefore, do not be sad that it has not yet come. Blessed and one strong. And the apostle says this for consolation, so that Timothy should not look at the seemingly pleasing local blessings, but should cleave his eyes to the One, Who is bliss itself, in Whom there is neither sorrow nor sighing; so that he is not afraid of any earthly rulers or kings. At the same time, He prepares him for what His coming will reveal. For He is “the only strong one.” All this is said about the Son. And the apostle used the word “one” to contrast Him with people, or false gods, but not in relation to the other Persons of the Holy Trinity. King of kings and Lord of lords, the only one who has immortality. The Lord alone has immortality in essence; angels, although immortal, are not by nature, but by grace. So, they do not have immortality, but they participate in immortality. Who dwells in the unapproachable light. Is He really determined by place? Or is one the light, and the other He Himself? Of course, He is the light Himself. Do you see to what extent the tongue is weak when we want to proclaim something great? This light is inaccessible, because, due to its immeasurable brilliance, no one can approach it. Which no one has seen and cannot see. That is, according to Divinity. He was and is visible only through humanity. Saint John Chrysostom understands that the above speaks about the Son, and in what follows primarily about the Father, although these words apply to both the Son and the Spirit. Honor and eternal power to him! Amen. So, if His power is eternal, then you should not be afraid, although it is not revealed now. If His honor is eternal, then you should not despair, although now He is not revered. We can only do this impeccably, that is, glorify Him, and not curiously explore Him. The apostle explains here the doctrine of God in good time. For since he called God as a witness, he describes His glory in order to touch the listener more. 1 Timothy 6:17. The rich in this century. There are other rich people, but not in this age, but in the future - these are the righteous. Admonish them not to think highly of themselves. For wealth arouses arrogance and vanity. And they did not trust in unfaithful wealth. Immediately humbles them. Why, he says, should you be proud of a support that is unfaithful, easily broken, and unstable? But to the living God, who richly gives us everything for our enjoyment. That is, he gave air, water, light, changes of year, seasons and everything else with greater generosity, although he attributes self-interest to himself for everything he receives. Learn from this that God enriched man by giving him everything undivided. Therefore, it is in vain that anyone grieves because he is poor. 1 Timothy 6:18. So that they do good and become rich in good deeds. From the general instruction to “exhort” them to “do good,” the following follows: if you want to get rich, get rich in doing good. This relates to love. By sociable we mean talkative, friendly people. 1 Timothy 6:19. Gathering up treasure for yourself, a good foundation for the future. Where there is a foundation, everything is solid and motionless. And since the benefits of virtue and the future age are constant, the apostle mentioned them in this justification. To achieve eternal life. For the performance of good deeds, which he called the foundation, can bring pleasure to this life. 1 Timothy 6:20. Oh, Timofey! keep what is devoted to you. Keep everything that I have commanded you, since these are the essence of the Lord’s commandments; do not diminish anything from it. Disgusting useless idle talk. Namely, unclean and dirty. Consequently, there is idle talk that is not bad. Saint John Chrysostom means by this word newness - κενοφωνίας - in teaching, writing, as it seems, this word through the diphthong αι (καινοφωνίας). And the contradictions of false knowledge. For where there is no faith, and everything is the fruit of human understanding, there is no knowledge and this name is used falsely. Please note that there are contradictions that you should not even respond to; on the contrary, you should avoid them and not get along with people who are ready to contradict you. 1 Timothy 6:21. Which, having given themselves over, some have wandered away from the faith. Anyone who follows human understandings alone inevitably misses the mark and the goal of faith. For faith does not allow speculation. I think that the apostle is saying all this about the Gnostics known at that time, who were filled with all kinds of uncleanness, which he called “filthy idle talk” (1 Tim. 6:20). Of these, the representative of this heresy was Nicholas, one of the seven deacons. Grace be with you. Amen. To seal everything, he wishes him grace, by which every good thing is given and preserved. Let us all be partakers of it, not destroying the benefits received from it, but preserving them through it and glorifying Christ, the Giver of graces, with the Father and the Holy Spirit: To him be glory forever and ever. Amen. In Slavic - “nailed”. You might be interested in: