1 Timothy 6 - Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Honoring Masters

6 All who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters[a] to be worthy of all respect, so that God’s name(A) and His teaching will not be blasphemed. 2 Those who have believing masters should not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but should serve them better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.(B)

False Doctrine and Human Greed

Teach and encourage these things. 3 If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord(C) Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness,(D) 4 he is conceited, understanding nothing, but has a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words.(E) From these come envy,(F) quarreling,(G) slander,(H) evil suspicions, 5 and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness[b] is a way to material gain.[c](I) 6 But godliness with contentment is a great gain.(J)

7 For we brought nothing into the world,
and[d] we can take nothing out.(K)
8 But if we have food and clothing,[e]
we will be content with these.

9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root[f] of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith(L) and pierced themselves with many pains.

Fight the Good Fight

11 But you, man of God, run from these things,
and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith,
love,(M) endurance,(N) and gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight(O) for the faith;
take hold of eternal life(P)
that you were called to
and have made a good confession about
in the presence of many witnesses.

13 In the presence of God, who gives life to all,(Q) and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate,(R) I charge you 14 to keep the command without fault or failure until the appearing(S) of our Lord(T) Jesus Christ. 15 God will bring this about in His own time.(U) He is

the blessed and only(V) Sovereign,
the King of kings,(W)
and the Lord of lords,(X)
16 the only One who has immortality,
dwelling in unapproachable light;(Y)
no one has seen or can see Him,(Z)
to Him be honor and eternal might.(AA)
Amen.(AB)

Instructions to the Rich

17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant(AC) or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God,[g] who richly provides us with all things(AD) to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works,(AE) to be generous, willing to share,(AF) 19 storing up for themselves a good reserve[h] for the age to come,(AG) so that they may take hold of life that is real.

Guard the Heritage

20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you,(AH) avoiding(AI) irreverent, empty speech and contradictions from the “knowledge” that falsely bears that name.(AJ) 21 By professing it, some(AK) people have deviated from the faith.(AL)

Grace be with all of you.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 6:1 Or owners
  2. 1 Timothy 6:5 Referring to religion as a means of financial gain
  3. 1 Timothy 6:5 Other mss add From such people withdraw yourself.
  4. 1 Timothy 6:7 Other mss add it is clear that
  5. 1 Timothy 6:8 Or food and shelter
  6. 1 Timothy 6:10 Or is the root
  7. 1 Timothy 6:17 Other mss read on the living God
  8. 1 Timothy 6:19 Or foundation

Cross references

  1. 6:1 : Jn 10:25; Ac 15:14; Rv 14:1
  2. 6:2 : 2Th 2:12; 1Jn 4:16
  3. 6:3 : Rv 11:8
  4. 6:3 : 2Pt 1:3
  5. 6:4 : 2Tm 2:14, 23; Ti 3:9
  6. 6:4 : Ps 37:1
  7. 6:4 : Ti 3:9
  8. 6:4 : Rv 13:6
  9. 6:5 : Eph 4:22; 2Tm 3:8; Ti 1:11, 15
  10. 6:6 : Ps 37:16; Pr 15:16; 16:8; Php 4:11; Heb 13:5
  11. 6:7 : Jb 1:21; Ps 49:17; Ec 5:15
  12. 6:10 : Php 1:27; 1Tm 1:2; Jd 3
  13. 6:11 : 1Co 13:1
  14. 6:11 : Rv 13:10
  15. 6:12 : 2Tm 4:7; Jd 3
  16. 6:12 : 1Jn 5:12
  17. 6:13 : Mk 13:19; Rm 1:25
  18. 6:13 : Mt 27:11-14
  19. 6:14 : Ti 2:13; 1Jn 2:28
  20. 6:14 : Rv 11:8
  21. 6:15 : Lk 21:8
  22. 6:15 : Rm 16:27
  23. 6:15 : Rv 17:14
  24. 6:15 : Dt 10:17; Ps 136:2-3; Rv 17:14; 19:16
  25. 6:16 : Ps 36:9; 104:2; Jn 12:46
  26. 6:16 : Ex 33:20; Jn 1:18
  27. 6:16 : Jd 25
  28. 6:16 : 1Tm 1:17; Rv 22:21
  29. 6:17 : 1Sm 2:3; Ec 7:8; Rm 11:20; 12:16
  30. 6:17 : Ac 17:25
  31. 6:18 : Mk 14:6; Gl 3:10; Jms 2:14-26; 1Pt 2:12
  32. 6:18 : Rm 12:8, 13; Eph 4:28
  33. 6:19 : Mt 6:20
  34. 6:20 : 1Tm 1:11; 2Tm 1:12, 14; Ti 1:3
  35. 6:20 : Heb 12:13
  36. 6:20 : Col 2:8; 2Tm 2:16; 4:4; Ti 1:14
  37. 6:21 : 2Tm 2:18
  38. 6:21 : Php 1:27; 1Tm 1:2

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6 As many as are servants under a yoke, their own masters worthy of all honour let them reckon, that the name of God and the teaching may not be evil spoken of; 2 and those having believing masters, let them not slight [them], because they are brethren, but rather let them serve, because they are st...
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1 Timothy 6 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

6 Whatever servants be under yoke, deem they their lords worthy all honour, lest the name of the Lord and the doctrine be blasphemed[a]. 2 And they that have faithful lords, despise them not, for they be brethren; but more serve they, for they be faithful and loved, which be partners of beneficence...
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1 Timothy 6 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

6 Servants should respect their bosses in every way. Then people will not say wrong things about God's name and what we teach. 2 Those who work for Christian masters should not take life easy just because the person they work for is a Christian. They should work all the better because they are loved...
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1 Timothy 6 - World English Bible (WEB)

6 Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed. 2 Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake o...
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1 Timothy 6 - The Voice (VOICE)

6 Tell all who labor under the yoke of slavery to treat their masters with honor and respect, whether or not their masters deserve it. This will keep God’s name and doctrine from being smeared. 2 If their masters are believers, then they should not be insolent toward them just because they are your...
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1 Timothy 6 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

6 Let all who are under the yoke as slaves consider their own masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 And let those who have believing masters not disrespect them because they are brothers, but serve them even more, since those who share in the be...
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1 Timothy 6 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

6 Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be defamed. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brethren; rather they must serve all the better since those ...
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1 Timothy 6 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

6 Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be defamed. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brethren; rather they must serve all the better since those ...
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1 Timothy 6 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

6 Let as many servants who are under the yoke count their masters worthy of all honor, so that the Name of God and His doctrine are not blasphemed. 2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them (because they are brothers). But instead serve them, because they are faithful and bel...
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1 Timothy 6 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

Slaves, Masters and Sound Teaching6 All who live as slaves, ‘under the yoke’ so to speak, should consider their own masters as worthy of all respect, so that people may not say wicked things against the name of God and the teaching. 2 Those who have masters who are also believers should not look do...
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1 Timothy 6 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

6 Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters as worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be blasphemed. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful to them on the ground that they are members of the church;[a] rather they must serve...
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1 Timothy 6 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

6 Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be blasphemed.(A)2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful to them on the ground that they are brothers and sisters; rather, they must serve th...
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1 Timothy 6 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

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1 Timothy 6 - New Living Translation (NLT)

6 All slaves should show full respect for their masters so they will not bring shame on the name of God and his teaching. 2 If the masters are believers, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. Those slaves should work all the harder because their efforts are helping other believers[a] who are we...
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1 Timothy 6 - New King James Version (NKJV)

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