Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 64

Paul Teaches Timothy to Nulify Error and Greed in the Church Part 5

1 Timothy 6:9 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. KJV

Paul describes here to Brother Timothy how those who desire, declare, and demand the riches of this world end up when they are willing to do anything (even illegally) and step on or over anyone to get the temporary riches of this dying, disintergrating, and decaying world by what he writes here, "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) (KJV). The little English phrase at the beginning of this verse 'they that will' is translated by one Greek word boulomai and it is the middle voice of a primary verb meaning to will, that is, (reflexively) be willing: - be disposed, minded, intend to do something. In other words, this insatiable appetite or desire to get riches will destroy their ability for contentment and bring upon them certain ruin down the road of this earthly life, listen to the Wisdom of God the Father on this matter, "A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich [at any cost] shall not go unpunished." (Proverbs 28:20) (Amplified Bible). There are countless true stories of men and women in the past, present, and surely they will continue on into the future (before our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ returns to the earth) who have done violent murders, even some killing their own flesh and blood family members to get their hands on this decaying money of this world, an example is the Menendez brothers in California who killed their Father and Mother to get their money, yet they like many others were lured into a fall and a snare as the Apostle describes it here to Brother Timothy.

The English word 'fall' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word empiptō meaning to fall on, that is, (literally) be entrapped by, or (figuratively) be overwhelmed with: - fall among (into) and the little English pharse 'a snare' is translated by the Greek word pagis meaning a trap (as fastened by a noose or notch); figuratively a trick or stratagem (temptation): - snare. It is the way of the enemy the devil to lure the soul who desires riches at any cost into his trap or snare by never showing him or her the end which will be their destruction, for the Menendez brothers like countless others who killed in order to get wealth never thought they would be caught and held responsible for their despicable scheme. Only if people will here the Words of God and take them in like counsel for their souls, such as these words from our Heavenly Father, "Let destruction befall [my foe] unawares; let the net he hid for me catch him; let him fall into that very destruction." (Psalm 35:8) (Amplified Bible) and these words also, "Let their own table [with all its abundance and luxury] become a snare to them; and when they are secure in peace [or at their sacrificial feasts, let it become] a trap to them." (Psalm 69:22) (Amplified Bible).

Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning those who will to be rich, "Further to enforce the duty of contentment, the Apostle refers to some of the evils which necessarily attend a desire to be rich. Those evils have been so great and uniform in all ages, and are so necessary accompaniments of that desire, that, even amidst many inconveniences which may attend the opposite condition, we should be contented with our lot. Indeed, if we could see all, it would only be necessary to see the evils which the desire of wealth produces in the world, to make us contented with a most lowly condition of life. Perhaps nothing more would be necessary to make a poor man satisfied with his lot, and grateful for it, than to be acquainted with the perplexities and cares of a rich man. There is more emphasis to be placed on the word will, here, in the phrase, 'will be rich,' than might be supposed from our translation. It is not the sign of the future tense, but implies an actual 'purpose' or 'design' to become rich - hoi boulomenoi. The reference is to those in whom this becomes the object of earnest desire, and who lay their plans for it."

The devil's snare and trap plunges men and women 'into many foolish and hurtful lusts' and here the Apostle Paul declares that this uncontrolled desire to become rich makes men and women do things to themselves and to others that cause pain (physically in some cases and emotionally in other cases). The English word 'foolish' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word anoētos which means unintelligent; by implication sensual: - foolish, unwise. The English word 'hurtful' (used this one time only in the New Testament) is translated by the Greek word blaberos meaning  injurious: - hurtful. The English word 'lusts' is translated by the Greek word epithumia meaning a longing (especially for what is forbidden): - concupiscence, desire, lust (after). This will to be rich will cause the men and women with it in many cases to do stupid things that will hurt other people because of their greed and even our English dictionary gives us a good definition of greed being excessive desire to acquire or possess more (especially more material wealth) than one needs or deserves (see Psalm 73). Here again is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning many foolish and hurtful lust, "Desires, such as the love of wealth creates. They are foolish - as being not such as an intelligent and immortal being should pursue; and they are hurtful - as being injurious to morals, to health, and to the soul. Among those desires, are the fondness for display; for a magnificent dwelling, a train of menials, and a splendid equipage; for sumptuous living, feasting, the social glass, company, and riotous dissipation."

Finally, when Paul writes, 'which drown men in destruction and perdition', he means in many cases of these men and women they end in the destruction of their temporary bodies and in some case the eternal turmoil of their immortal souls in hell and the lake of fire. The English word 'drown' is translated by the Greek word buthizō which means as it is used here to sink. The English word 'destruction' is translated by the Greek word olethros meaning (to destroy; a prolonged form); ruin, that is, death, punishment: - destruction. The English word 'perdition' is translated by the Greek word apōleia meaning ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal). The men and women who allow their avarice appetite for riches to cause them to do anything to aquire it end up sinking to such low means that it ends in their destruction here on the earth and in many cases their eternal damnation in hell. Here again is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning men and women drowning in destruction and perdition, "The word which is here rendered, 'drown' - buthizō - means, to 'sink in the' deep, or, 'to cause to sink;' and the meaning here is, that they become submerged as a ship that sinks. The idea of drowning is not properly that of the Apostle, but the image is that of a wreck, where a ship and all that is in it go down together. The destruction is complete. There is a total ruin of happiness, of virtue, of reputation, and of the soul. The ruling desire to be rich leads on a train of follies which ruins everything here, and hereafter. How many of the human family have thus been destroyed!"

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…