"An inward self-sufficiency, as opposed to the lack or the desire of outward things. It was a favorite Stoic word" (Vincent).

I.e., the best way to gain. The word gain here refers mainly to the blessings in this age — godliness plus self-sufficiency and the ability to dispense with greediness and the cares of this age.

This is wisely ordained by God that we may trust in Him for our needs and live by Him in order to express Him, without preoccupation or distraction.

Making godliness a way to gain (material profit), a gain-making trade.

See note 1 Tim. 3:15^5e.

Or, bereft, destitute. The Greek here implies that they had once possessed the truth, but that now it was put away from them. Hence, they were destitute of the truth.

Or, incessant quarrels.

Lit., blasphemies; referring here, as in Col. 3:8, to slanders and railings toward man, not blasphemies toward God.

To question and contend about words is a disease. Diseased here is in contrast to healthy in v. 3.

See note 1 Tim. 3:6^2a. Teachings that differ from the healthy words of the Lord always issue from people's pride and self-conceit, which blind them.

See note 1 Tim. 2:2^2b, note 1 Tim. 3:16^2a and note 1 Tim. 3:16³, and note 1 Tim. 4:7⁴. The healthy words of the Lord are the source of the teaching that is according to godliness. When the Lord's words of life are taught, particularly in certain aspects, they become the teaching that is according to godliness. The living words of the Lord always bring forth godliness — a life that lives Christ and expresses God in Christ.

See note 1 Tim. 1:10^1b. The words of our Lord Jesus Christ are words of life (John 6:63); hence, they are healthy words.

See note note 1 Tim. 1:3^3c.

Lit., serve as slaves.

Ill spoken of, reproached.

Lit., the teaching; referring to the teaching of the apostles (Acts 2:42).

I.e., the divine life, the uncreated life of God, which is eternal. Eternal denotes the nature more than the time element of the divine life. To fight the good fight of the faith in the Christian life, and especially in the Christian ministry, we need to lay hold on this divine life, not trusting in our human life. Hence, in 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus, eternal life is stressed again and again (1 Tim. 1:16; 6:19; 2 Tim. 1:1, 10; Titus 1:2; 3:7). To carry out God's economy concerning the church, as seen in 1 Timothy, to confront the downward trend of the church's decline, as seen in 2 Timothy, and to maintain good order in the church, as seen in Titus, this life is a prerequisite.

Although this refers to clothing, it may include a dwelling.

Sufficiently provided for.

With a strong desire to be rich. This is the love, not the possession, of riches, which leads the avaricious into temptation. Some are actually rich; some desire to be rich. This evil desire ruins and destroys them.

Lustful desires, lusts.

Or, drown, sink.

Destruction implies ruin, and ruin implies temporal and eternal perdition.

Not the only root.

Craving for, longing for.

Or, wandered.

See note 1 Tim. 3:9^1b. So also in vv. 12, 21.

One who partakes of God's life and nature (John 1:13; 2 Pet. 1:4), thus being one with God in His life and nature (1 Cor. 6:17) and thereby expressing Him. This corresponds with the mystery of godliness, which is God manifested in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16).

A proper attitude in facing opposition. See note Matt. 5:5^1a.

Lit., Struggle the good struggle of the faith.

Lit., into; i.e., to participate in, to enjoy. We have been called into the eternal life of God. We were born of the human natural life, but we were reborn of the divine eternal life when we were called by God in Christ.

The good confession refers to the good faith, the full gospel that Christians believe. Probably at his baptism, Timothy confessed the good confession, confessing to the eternal life before many witnesses, believing and being assured that he had received the life of God. We all should confess such a good confession.

This commandment should refer to the charge in vv. 11-12.

Referring to the distributing of material things readily to the needy, and to the sharing of riches willingly with them.

Not merely rich in material things but rich in good works according to God's pleasure (Eph. 2:10).

I.e., the Lord's second coming.

Referring to appearing in v. 14.

Referring to God the Father, according to Acts 1:7.

To be right with people before God according to His righteous and strict requirements.

To live a daily life that manifests God. See note 1 Tim. 3:16^2a.

To believe in God and His word and to trust in Him and His word.

To love others by the love of God (1 John 4:7-8, 19-21).

Missed the mark, as in shooting.

To endure sufferings and persecutions.

The future here refers to the next age (as compared with the present age in v. 17), the kingdom age, when the overcoming saints will enjoy the Lord's reward. For this we all need to lay a good foundation in the present age as a treasure for us to enjoy in the future.

I.e., the eternal life referred to in v. 12. Material riches are for the human natural life in this age, a life that is temporal and, hence, not real. If we do good with material things, we will accomplish something for the real life, laying away a treasure for our enjoyment in the eternal life in the next age. This requires that we lay hold on God's eternal life, which is the real life. Otherwise, we will lay hold on our human natural life in laying away a treasure of material riches in this age for a life that is not real. We should care for the eternal life rather than the natural life. Both v. 12 and this verse stress the eternal life of God. This indicates that the divine life is a factor that is crucial and vital to our Christian life.

That which was committed and entrusted to Timothy, the healthy words that he received from Paul, not only for himself but also for others. See note 2 Tim. 1:14¹.

The teaching of the false teachers, which they called knowledge (probably related to Gnostic knowledge). Such teaching replaced the genuine knowledge of the healthy word of God that was entrusted to Timothy.