Read: 1 Timothy 6:7-10 For the love of money is the root of all evil. (v. 10 KJV) What is the root of all evil? I’ve heard many people say, “It’s money!” But that’s not Paul’s view. Money, we remember, is simply a means of exchange, itself morally neutral. Paul says that “the root of all evil,” in the sense of the source of all kinds of evil, is rather “the love of money.” The culprit is our eagerness to …

Read: 1 Timothy 6:3-7 But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. (v. 6) The apostle is grieved that some look upon “godliness” as “a means of gain”—pursuing religion in the hope of financial enrichment (1 Tim. 6:5). Contentment is at the opposite pole from covetousness. The godly and contented are happily satisfied with what they have. They see themselves, while enjoying the Lord’s favor, …

Read: 1 Timothy 5:1-2 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. The church is the “family of God” in Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 3:15). Paul wants Timothy to model that in all his dealings with the Lord’s people. Let his treatment of the elderly be like “honoring father and mother” (see Exod. 20:12). He may sometimes have to …

Read: 1 Timothy 4:11-16 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. (vv. 14-15) Paul looks on Timothy as a dear son and colleague in ministry. As both Timothy’s spiritual father and “senior pastor,” Paul offers him—and all who are called into ministry—some fatherly instructions: Devote yourself to reading Scripture as …

Read: 1 Timothy 4:6-10 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (vv. 7-8) I’m glad the apostle told Timothy that bodily exercise is “of some value.” Being a sports and fitness enthusiast myself, I would be disappointed if he had said less. But I’m …