1 Timothy 6

    6:1-2.  See notes at Eph.6:5-9.  Overturning the established order in this fallen world, and thus bringing on even worse evils, was not seen by Paul as the way to truly set men free, or advance the kingdom of God, wherein true liberty lies in serving our real Master.

     6:3-10.  The Lord alone establishes sound doctrine (teaching) by his sound words, which conform to godliness (3).  It is those who depart from it who are the cause of controversy and strife.  Many of these troublemakers are actually seeking to exploit godliness (religion, margin) as a means of easy money, by the love of which they have ruined themselves (9).  Note that money itself is not evil (10), but the discontent that leads men in love with it to abandon the faith is at the root of all kinds of evil.

     6:11-16.  Paul solemnly charges Timothy to be faithful to his confession, and hold on to life eternal, the true treasure.  And to remember Christ Jesus and his good confession before Pontius Pilate (13), for which faithfulness he was crucified, was dead and buried.  But he rose again, and is now seated in heaven as Lord of all, from whence he will come at the proper time (the time set by his Father) to judge all things.  Until his appearing, Timothy is charged with keeping the commandment without stain or reproach (14).  That is, he is to guard what has been entrusted to him (20), which is that same glorious gospel entrusted to Paul (1:11), and is that command which Paul in turn has now entrusted to Timothy (1:18).

     6:16.  The Sovereign Lord of all things is transcendent, and possesses many attributes which are intrinsically his alone.  He alone possesses immortality.  Neither angels nor men innately posses life of any kind, let alone immortality.  That we live is his gift.  That we may live forever is his grace beyond measure, through Jesus Christ the Lord.

     6:17-21.  Here again, we see that worldly riches are not evil, but are a dangerous temptation for fallen men to fix their hopes on, for they are always uncertain, and not a good foundation for the future we hope for.  But used as they are intended, all things God has given us are good and to be enjoyed in gratitude and contentment.

     Paul ends with a poignant plea that Timothy guard that treasure entrusted to him.  In the closing benediction (21), you is plural, and thus includes the church.