1 Timothy 6

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

1People who work as slaves should give their masters full respect. Then no one will say bad things about God or about what we teach.

Note"Servants under the yoke" means people who were slaves. Slavery was common when this letter was written.

2And 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, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

2Some slaves have masters who believe in Jesus. They must not treat those masters as less important just because they are brothers. They should serve them even better. The people helped by their good work are dear friends who believe. Teach these things, Timothy, and keep telling people to do them.

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

3Some people teach something different. They do not agree with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ. They do not agree with teaching that helps people live God's way.

4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

4That kind of person is puffed up with pride and really knows nothing. He only loves to argue and fight about words. That leads to jealousy, fighting, mean talk, and thinking the worst about people.

5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

5It leads to endless quarrels between people whose minds have gone bad. They have lost hold of the truth. They think living God's way is a way to get money. Stay away from people like that.

6But godliness with contentment is great gain.

6But living God's way and being happy with what you have is worth a great deal.

7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

7We brought nothing with us when we were born. We cannot take anything with us when we die.

8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

8So if we have food and clothes, let us be happy with that.

9But 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.

9People who are set on getting rich walk into a trap. They start to want foolish things that hurt them. Those wants pull them down and ruin them.

10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

10Loving money is the root that all kinds of wrong things grow from. Some people wanted money so badly that they wandered away from faith in God. They gave themselves a lot of pain.

NoteThe King James wording says "the root of all evil." The original Greek says all kinds of evil, not every single evil thing.

11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

11But you belong to God, Timothy. Run away from these things. Run after doing right, living God's way, faith, love, patience, and being gentle.

12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

12Fight the good fight that faith calls for. Take hold of the life that never ends. God called you to that life. You said out loud that you believe, with many people watching.

13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

13God sees me as I tell you this, and he gives life to everything. Christ Jesus sees me too. He told the truth bravely when he stood before Pontius Pilate, the ruler who judged him.

14That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

14Keep this command with no stain on it. Give no one a reason to blame you. Keep it until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

15Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

15God will make that happen at the right time. He is the happy and only Ruler. He is King over all kings and Lord over all lords.

16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

16He is the only one who never dies. He lives in light that no one can come near. No one has ever seen him, and no one can. Honor and power belong to him forever. Amen.

Note"Amen" is a word people said at the end of a prayer. It means "yes, let it be so."

17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

17Tell the people who are rich now not to be proud. Money can disappear, so tell them not to trust it. Tell them to trust God. He gives us plenty of good things to enjoy.

18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

18Tell them to do good things. Tell them to be rich in kind deeds. They should be glad to give and share.

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

19In that way they are storing up a strong base for the days ahead. Then they can take hold of the life that never ends.

20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

20Timothy, guard what God has put in your care. Stay away from empty, silly talk. Stay away from arguments that people wrongly call knowledge.

Note"Science" in 1611 English just meant knowledge. It did not mean science the way we use the word today.

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

21Some people have claimed that kind of knowledge. They have wandered away from the faith. May God be kind to you. Amen.