Fathers

1 Timothy 6

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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. 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. 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; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 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. 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. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 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. 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; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 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. 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; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 6:20

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust." Let it not suffer diminution. It is not thy own. Thou art intrusted with the property of another, do not lessen it. "Avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called." Well did he thus call it. For where there is not faith, there is not knowledge; when anything springs from our reasonings, it is not knowledge. Or perhaps he says this, because some then assumed the name of Gnostics, as knowing more than others.

Homily on 1 Timothy 18 ↗

Cyril of Jerusalem

I have many other testimonies from holy Scripture to the fact that the kingdom of Christ endures throughout all ages. But I will content myself with what I have said, because the day wears on. And do you, my hearers, worship him alone as king, and flee every misguided heresy.… Flee the false Christ, and look for the true. You have been taught the way to be among those on his right hand at the judgment. Retain "that which is committed to you" concerning Christ, and be adorned with good works. …

Catechetical Lecture 15:33 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Keep all that I have commanded you, for these are the commandments of the Lord; take nothing away from them. Namely, impure and filthy ones. Consequently, there exists empty talk that is not foul. Saint John Chrysostom understands by this word novelties of teaching – κενοφωνίας – having written, it seems, this word with the diphthong αι (καινοφωνίας). For where there is no faith, but everything is the fruit of human reasoning, there is no knowledge, and the name is falsely applied. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

The apostle labors, and, although he has lived blameless, according to the justice that is from the law, he counts everything as worthless for Christ, that he may be found in Christ, not having his own justice which is from the law but that which is from the faith of Christ, from God.… Therefore, we are saved, not by the power of the free will but by the mercy of God. …

Against the Pelagians 2.10 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, O Timothy, he instructs Timothy: first, that he guard the good; second, that he avoid evil, at avoiding the profane novelties. He says, therefore: O Timothy, keep that which is committed to your trust. To man's care is committed every good which he has; and it has been committed to him by God to guard and increase: he shall preserve the grace of a man as the apple of the eye (Sir 17:18); By the grace of God I am what I am; and his grace in me has not been void, but I have labored more abundantly; yet not I, but the …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Hippolytus of Rome

A lengthened conflict, then, having been maintained concerning all heresies by us who, at all events, have not left any unrefuted, the greatest struggle now remains behind, viz., to furnish an account and refutation of those heresies that have sprung up in our own day, by which certain ignorant and presumptuous men have attempted to scatter abroad the Church, and have introduced the greatest confusion among all the faithful throughout the entire world. …

Hippolytus Refutation of All Heresies Book IX ↗