Fathers

1 Timothy 6

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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. Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions, constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. I command you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession, that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. He alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen. Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life. Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge, which some profess, and thus have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 6:13

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Again he calls God to witness, as he had done a little before, at once to increase his disciple's awe, and to secure his safety, and to show that these were not human commandments, that receiving the commandment as from the Lord Himself, and ever bearing in mind the Witness before Whom he heard it, he may have it more fearfully impressed upon his mind. "I charge thee," he says, "before God, Who quickeneth all things." Here is at once consolation in the dangers which awaited him, and a remembrance of the resurrection awakened in him. …

Homily on 1 Timothy 18 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Multiplying fear and making the disciple more unwavering, he calls God as witness, showing that these are not human testaments, with the purpose that, having it always in mind, he would by the remembrance of this bring his soul to trembling. "Who gives life to all things." Here is contained encouragement amid dangers and a remembrance of the resurrection; it is as if the apostle says: do not fear death, for you are a servant of God, Who can give life to all things. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and Christ Jesus, who testified before Pontius Pilate the good confession, to keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Again Paul makes God a witness, both increasing the fear and making the disciple more secure, because he has in mind the one who was witnessed. who gives life to all things. This is also a comfort against dangers. For if God, Paul says, gives life to all things, why should we fear the struggles for faith? …

Commentary On 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, I charge you before God, he obliges him to the foregoing under orders: first, he gives the orders; second, he explains something he stated earlier, at which in his times. In the orders first, he brings in witnesses; second, he commends the orders; third, he shows how they are to be kept. As witnesses he calls on God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, he says, I advised you; but lest you suppose that you can act otherwise, I charge you, as you are wont to charge those under you, before God. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗