1 Timothy 6:9 kjv
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.
1 Timothy 6:9 nkjv
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
1 Timothy 6:9 niv
Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
1 Timothy 6:9 esv
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
1 Timothy 6:9 nlt
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
1 Timothy 6 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Tim 6:10 | For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. For which some people, by straying from the faith, have pierced themselves through with many pangs. | Explicitly connects the desire for money to harmful consequences and spiritual damage. |
| Luke 12:15 | And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” | Warns against covetousness and emphasizes that true life is not found in possessions. |
| Matt 6:24 | “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” | Directly states the incompatibility of serving God and pursuing wealth. |
| Mark 4:19 | But the worries of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. | Identifies the desires fueled by riches as a hindrance to spiritual growth. |
| Prov 15:27 | Whoever hates gifts of bribe will live, but he who is attracted to gifts will bring ruin upon himself. | Highlights the destructive nature of accepting illicit gain. |
| Prov 28:20 | A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not be innocent. | Contrasts faithfulness with the unrighteousness of hurried pursuit of wealth. |
| Heb 13:5 | Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” | Encourages contentment and trust in God over the pursuit of wealth. |
| 1 Cor 6:10 | ...nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. | Lists greed as something that prevents inheritance of God's kingdom. |
| Eccl 5:10 | He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance with increase. This also is vapor. | Illustrates the insatiable nature of the love of money. |
| 1 Tim 6:17 | As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who riches us richly all things for our enjoyment. | Instructs the wealthy to ground their hope in God, not riches. |
| Jer 17:11 | Like a partridge that gathers young that she did not hatch, so is he who gets riches, but not by right; in the midst of his days they will leave him, and at his end he will be a fool. | Depicts ill-gotten wealth as temporary and leading to foolishness. |
| Gal 5:19-21 | Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. | While not directly mentioning riches, the harmful desires described here can be fueled by a pursuit of wealth. |
| 1 John 2:16 | For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. | Categorizes the "desires" into those of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life, which often accompany the pursuit of wealth. |
| Rom 1:29-31 | ...cattiness, murder, quarreling, deceit, maliciousness, they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. | Lists characteristics associated with godlessness, which can be exacerbated by a misplaced focus on riches. |
| Luke 14:33 | So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. | Underscores the ultimate priority of discipleship over possessions. |
| Phil 4:11-13 | Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of being content. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. | Paul's personal testimony of contentment in Christ, contrasting with the desire for wealth. |
| Eph 5:5 | For you may be sure of this, that whoever is greedy or impure or covetous, that man is an idolater, and has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. | Directly labels covetousness as a form of idolatry. |
| 1 Tim 6:7 | For we brought nothing into this world, and we cannot take anything out of it. | Sets a foundational truth that human possessions are temporary and limited. |
| Titus 1:7 | For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He may not be quarrelsome, nor prone to anger, nor a drunkard, nor violent, nor greedy for gain. | Mentions greed for gain as a disqualifying characteristic, even for leadership. |
| Col 3:5 | Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. | Equates covetousness with idolatry and a practice to be put to death. |
1 Timothy 6 verses
1 Timothy 6 9 Meaning
Those who desire to become rich fall into temptation and into a snare, and into many senseless and harmful desires, which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
1 Timothy 6 9 Context
This verse is found within the concluding chapter of Paul's first letter to Timothy. The epistle as a whole functions as pastoral instruction, guiding Timothy in leading the church at Ephesus. Chapter 6 addresses issues concerning the conduct of believers, particularly concerning the dangers of false teaching and the corrupting influence of wealth and the love of it. It follows Paul's instruction to slaves on obedience and the general charge to live godly lives. Specifically, the immediate context (verses 6-10) is a direct warning against the pursuit of wealth. It contrasts "godliness with contentment" (v. 6) as the true path, highlighting the futility of earthly riches and the deep-seated, destructive nature of desiring them. The surrounding verses emphasize that the love of money is the root of all sorts of evils and leads to straying from the faith. This passage serves as a critical theological and practical exhortation for all believers, but particularly relevant for those in positions of leadership like Timothy, and in the affluent Roman-influenced society of Ephesus, where material success was often a marker of status.
1 Timothy 6 9 Word analysis
- Those: (hoi) Refers to people in general, any individuals who embrace a certain mindset or desire.
- who: (hoitines) Relative pronoun, specifying the condition for the following description.
- desire: (boulontai) From 'bouomai', meaning "to will," "to wish," "to desire," "to resolve," "to intend." It implies a deliberate wanting, a volitional leaning. It's not a fleeting wish, but a deeper aspiration.
- to become: (ginomai) "to come into being," "to become," "to be made." Indicates a process of change or attainment.
- rich: (plousioi) From 'ploutos', meaning "wealth," "riches," "abundance." It refers to those possessing great wealth and material possessions.
- fall: (empiptousin) From 'empiptō', a compound verb meaning "to fall into," "to fall upon," "to incur," "to befall." It signifies encountering something unexpectedly or becoming entangled.
- into: (eis) Preposition indicating movement or transition into a state or place.
- temptation: (peirasmon) From 'peirasmos', meaning "trial," "testing," "temptation." Refers to an experience that tests one's faith, resolve, or virtue. This can be from God (for refinement) or from Satan/self (for enticement into sin). Here, it's clearly enticement towards sinful actions driven by desire.
- and: (kai) Conjunction.
- into: (eis) Preposition.
- a snare: (pagida) From 'pagidōn', the genitive plural of 'pagis', meaning "a trap," "a snare," "a noose." Metaphorically, something that catches or entangles, leading to entrapment and inability to escape. It implies deception and unforeseen capture.
- and: (kai) Conjunction.
- into: (eis) Preposition.
- many: (polla) Many, numerous.
- senseless: (aphrona) From 'aphron', meaning "foolish," "unthinking," "without understanding." Describes actions or desires that lack wisdom and good judgment.
- and: (kai) Conjunction.
- harmful: (blabera) From 'blaberos', meaning "injurious," "harmful," "detrimental." Pertains to things that cause damage or hurt.
- desires: (epithumias) From 'epithymia', meaning "desire," "longing," "lust." It often carries a negative connotation, referring to unbridled or wicked desires that lead away from God. This can include covetousness, lustful thoughts, and cravings.
- which: (ha) Relative pronoun referring to the desires.
- plunge: (bapizontai) From 'baptizō', literally "to dip," "to submerge," "to baptize." Used metaphorically here to mean "to plunge into," "to sink," "to overwhelm." It suggests being completely immersed in something destructive.
- men: (anthrōpous) Men, people.
- into: (eis) Preposition.
- ruin: (ōlethrō) From 'ōlethros', meaning "destruction," "utter ruin," "death." It signifies complete devastation and loss.
- and: (kai) Conjunction.
- destruction: (apōleia) From 'apōleia', meaning "destruction," "loss," "perdition." This carries the sense of final, eternal ruin, often used in eschatological contexts.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- Those who desire to become rich: This sets the primary subject and condition. It's not about having riches, but the active desire to acquire them, particularly if this becomes a driving ambition. This desire is characterized as a choice, a "will" or "intention" (boulontai).
- fall into temptation and into a snare: The consequence of this desire is entrapment. "Temptation" (peirasmos) suggests being led to do wrong. "Snare" (pagida) indicates a trap that catches unawares, leading to loss of freedom and potentially life. This is a multi-stage process of falling.
- into many senseless and harmful desires: The "temptation" and "snare" manifest as an accumulation of desires. These desires are characterized as "senseless" (aphrona – lacking wisdom) and "harmful" (blabera – causing injury). This highlights the irrational and destructive nature of the pursuit of wealth when it becomes a dominant passion.
- which plunge men into ruin and destruction: The ultimate consequence is catastrophic. The accumulation of these harmful desires leads to a complete sinking or immersion (bapizontai) into "ruin" (ōlethros) and ultimate "destruction" or "perdition" (apōleia). This refers to spiritual and often temporal ruin, ultimately leading to eternal separation from God.
1 Timothy 6 9 Bonus section
The Greek term "plousioi" (rich) can refer not only to immense wealth but also to a comfortable sufficiency that might lead to complacency and forgetfulness of God, a subtle form of spiritual poverty. The imagery of "falling into a snare" suggests being caught in a carefully laid trap, which resonates with the subtle ways materialism can ensnare believers, often perceived as harmless blessings initially. The dual concepts of "ruin" (ōlethros) and "destruction" (apōleia) are significant. While both speak of loss, apōleia often carries a stronger sense of irreversible, eternal perdition, underscoring the gravity of being consumed by the love of money. The emphasis on "desires" (epithumias) is crucial; it is the inner longing that is the genesis of the problem, even before actions are taken. This aligns with Jesus' teaching that looking lustfully is adultery of the heart (Matthew 5:28). The word "plunge" (bapizontai) is particularly vivid, portraying a complete immersion, akin to being submerged and unable to breathe, symbolizing a life completely taken over by destructive desires stemming from wealth-seeking.
1 Timothy 6 9 Commentary
The verse highlights the severe dangers associated with the aspiration to become wealthy. It's not simply having possessions, but the covetous drive itself that ensnares individuals. This desire acts as a subtle trap, luring people away from righteousness and into destructive patterns of thought and behavior. The path is characterized by "senseless and harmful desires," meaning the pursuit leads to decisions devoid of wisdom and causing significant damage. These accumulated desires have the power to overwhelm a person, plunging them into ultimate ruin, both spiritually and potentially temporally. The key is recognizing that the desire itself, when unchecked, becomes the very tool that ensnares the individual, leading to profound loss and destruction. It warns against allowing financial ambition to dictate one's life and moral compass.
- A person may start by wanting more comfort but end up prioritizing wealth over relationships or God.
- The desire for riches can lead to unethical business practices or deceit to achieve financial gain.
- It can foster an insatiable appetite, where current wealth is never enough, leading to constant anxiety and dissatisfaction.