1 Timotheus

1 Timothy 6 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on 1 Timothy 6 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

King James Version

SAB comment

My comment

1 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.

"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."
Should we serve God alone?
Does God approve of slavery?
What the Bible says about slavery
The Christopher Hitchens / Douglas Wilson debate

See Ephesians 6:5.

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

3 If 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;

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

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

"Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth ... from such withdraw thyself."
Stay away from those who discuss important matters -- especially if they disagree with Paul.

Paul explicitly refers to the words of Jesus, see verse 3. Withdraw from those that pervert the words of Jesus. And is it really an important discussion when minds are corrupted and morals are perverted?

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

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

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

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

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.

10 For 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.

"The love of money is the root of all evil."
Is money good or bad?

This verse does not say that money is bad, but that the love for money is bad.
See also Eccl. 10:19.

11 But thou, 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, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

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

"Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession."
Was Jesus silent during his trial before Pilate?

Jesus was not silent during his trial, but he was silent at a certain point in the trial, at the time he was accused. See Matthew 27:12.

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

"Keep this commandment ... until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ."
The author expected Jesus to return within his lifetime.

I do not see how the inference can be made from this verse that Paul here says that Jesus would return during his life time. Anyway, Paul, and all believers, should live as if Jesus were to return at any time, see Matthew 24:44.

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

16 Who 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.

(6:16) "Dwelling in the light ... whom no man hath seen."
Does God dwell in darkness or in light?
Can God be seen?

As per this verse, yes, God dwells in light. The meaning is that God lives in heaven. That is his true dwelling place, although God cannot be contained by heaven, as he is everywhere. The verses in Psalms, such as Psalms 97:2 are not about God's dwelling place, but are a poetic image of his battle armor.
See also 1 Kg. 8:12 which talks about God's earthly dwelling.
On if God can be seen: no, not in this physical world with our physical bodies, but Christ, who is God, can be seen and has been seen.

17 Charge 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;

(6:20) "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings." Should believers discuss their faith with non-believers?
"Science falsely so called
Avoid science, especially that which disagrees with Paul ("science falsely so called"). Other versions translate this phrase as "false knowledge", which may be more correct. However many fundamentalist Christians still use this verse to justify their rejection of any idea, scientific or otherwise, they believe contradicts the bible.

Christians who reject truth claims because they conflict with the Bible, do so correctly. There is only one source of truth, that is God and he has revealed the truth in His Word. The claims science make are not a source of truth as the best she can do is make claims that are potentially falsifiable. Of course in our days lots of science isn't science at all, but is falsely so called. It is science made by people who done themselves in the clothes of science, but are no better than the witchdoctors of former ages. Just keeping ourselves to physics: are there multiverses, i.e. other universes than our own? How would we ever know. Some scientists claim this, does this mean we have to believe it, because a scientists says it? What to do when two scientists conflicts each other? No, science can never be a source for truth. It's quite helpful if you want to make things that work though.

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

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