But if we have food and clothingThis phrase emphasizes the basic necessities of life, highlighting food and clothing as essential for survival. In the biblical context, these items represent the minimum requirements for sustaining life. The mention of food and clothing echoes Jesus' teaching in
Matthew 6:25-34, where He instructs His followers not to worry about their lives, what they will eat or wear, because God provides for the needs of His creation. Historically, the early Christian community often faced persecution and poverty, making this teaching particularly relevant. The Apostle Paul, who authored this letter to Timothy, often experienced hardship and understood the importance of relying on God's provision (
Philippians 4:11-13).
we will be content with these
Contentment is a recurring theme in Paul's writings, urging believers to find satisfaction in God's provision rather than in material wealth. This contentment is rooted in trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. The Greek word for "content" (autarkeia) implies self-sufficiency, but in a Christian sense, it refers to sufficiency in Christ. This aligns withHebrews 13:5, which encourages believers to be content with what they have because God will never leave nor forsake them. The call to contentment challenges the cultural norms of both the ancient world and today, where wealth and possessions often define success and happiness. This teaching also reflects the life of Jesus Christ, who lived simply and focused on spiritual riches rather than earthly wealth.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PaulThe apostle who authored the letter to Timothy, providing guidance and instruction for church leadership and Christian living.
2.
TimothyA young pastor and protégé of Paul, serving in Ephesus, who received this letter as part of his pastoral training and encouragement.
3.
EphesusThe city where Timothy was ministering, known for its wealth and commerce, which may have influenced the church's attitudes toward material possessions.
Teaching Points
Contentment in SimplicityThe Greek word for "content" (autarkes) implies self-sufficiency and satisfaction with what one has. Christians are encouraged to find joy and peace in the basics of life, trusting God for provision.
Guarding Against MaterialismIn a world that often equates success with wealth, believers are reminded to focus on spiritual riches rather than material accumulation. This mindset helps prevent the pitfalls of greed and dissatisfaction.
Trust in God's ProvisionThe call to be content with food and clothing underscores a reliance on God's faithfulness. Believers are encouraged to trust that God knows their needs and will provide accordingly.
Witness Through ContentmentLiving a life of contentment can be a powerful testimony to others, showcasing a heart that values eternal treasures over temporary gains.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Timothy 6:8?
2.How can we practice contentment with "food and clothing" in today's materialistic society?
3.What does 1 Timothy 6:8 teach about the dangers of material wealth?
4.How does 1 Timothy 6:8 connect with Jesus' teachings on contentment?
5.In what ways can we prioritize spiritual over material needs daily?
6.How can we encourage others to embrace the simplicity of 1 Timothy 6:8?
7.How does 1 Timothy 6:8 define contentment in a materialistic society?
8.What historical context influenced Paul's message in 1 Timothy 6:8?
9.How does 1 Timothy 6:8 challenge modern Christian views on wealth?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Timothy 6?
11.What is the Bible's perspective on consumerism?
12.How can we wisely manage our resources and finances?
13.Should we pray in public? (Matthew 6:5-6 vs. 1 Timothy 2:8)
14.In 1 Timothy 6:7-8, does the passage's emphasis on contentment conflict with modern concepts of personal ambition and success?What Does 1 Timothy 6:8 Mean
But ifPaul opens with a conditional phrase that looks back to verse 7, where he reminds Timothy, “For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it”. By saying “But if,” he contrasts a life focused on accumulating wealth with a life anchored in eternal realities.
-Luke 12:15 echoes the warning: “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
-Hebrews 13:5 links the same idea to contentment: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
The hinge word “But” shifts our gaze from what we naturally crave to what truly satisfies.
we have foodPaul narrows the list of necessities to the most basic: daily sustenance.
- Jesus teaches us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11), emphasizing dependence on the Father for ongoing provision.
-Proverbs 30:8 asks God to grant “my daily bread” and nothing more, underscoring humility before Him.
-Matthew 6:25 reassures: “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat,” citing the Father’s faithful care.
Paul’s wording assumes God meets physical needs; our task is gratitude, not anxiety.
and clothingThe Greek term translated “clothing” can also imply covering or shelter, capturing everything required for modesty and protection.
- Jesus points to lilies clothed by God (Matthew 6:28-30) to illustrate divine care.
-James 2:15-16 challenges believers to give “food and clothing” to brothers and sisters in need, proving these are basic essentials, not luxuries.
Recognizing God as the Giver frees us from the restless drive for more.
we will be contentContentment is not passive resignation but active trust that God has supplied enough.
-Philippians 4:11-13 shows Paul learned contentment in plenty or want by relying on Christ’s strength.
-Hebrews 13:5 ties contentment directly to God’s abiding presence, not material abundance.
-1 Timothy 6:6 already declared, “Godliness with contentment is great gain,” revealing that spiritual wealth outranks earthly riches.
with these“These” limits contentment to essentials, pushing back against the culture of excess.
-Proverbs 15:16 affirms, “Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.”
- Jesus modeled simplicity, saying the Son of Man had “no place to lay His head” (Luke 9:58).
By setting boundaries (“these”), Paul liberates believers from endless upgrading and invites them to invest in eternal treasures (Matthew 6:19-21).
summaryPaul’s single verse draws a clear line between need and greed. If God meets our basics—food for today and covering for our bodies—we already possess grounds for deep contentment. This mindset counters covetousness, fosters generosity, and keeps our hope anchored in Christ rather than possessions.
(8)
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.--The Greek word rendered "let us be content" is better translated,
we shall have a sufficiency. The argument will run thus: "All earthly possessions are only for this life; here, if we have the wherewithal to clothe us and to nourish us, we shall have enough;" if we have more than this, St. Paul goes on to show, we shall be in danger of falling into temptation.
There is no contradiction between this reading and that contained in this same Epistle (1Timothy 4:1-5). There the Apostle is warning the Church against a false, unreal asceticism, which was teaching men to look upon the rich gifts of this world, its beauties and its delights, as of themselves sinful, forgetting that these fair things were God's creatures, and were given for man's use and enjoyment. Here the same great teacher is pressing home the truth that the highest good on earth was that godliness which is ever accompanied with perfect contentment, which neither rejects nor deems evil the fair things of this life, but which, at the same time, never covets them, never longs for them. It was one thing to be rich, it was another to wish to be rich; in God's providence a man might be rich without sin, but the coveting, the longing for wealth, at once exposed him to many a grave danger both to body and soul.
Verse 8. -
But for
and, A.V.;
covering for raiment, A.V.;
ice shall be for
let us be, A.V.
Food (
διατροφάς); here only in the New Testament, but common in the LXX., rare in classical Greek.
Covering (
σκεπάσματα); also
aἅπαξ λεγόμενον in the New Testament, not found in the LXX., and rare in classical Greek. The kindred words,
σκέπη and
σκέπας, with their derivatives, are used of the covering or shelter of clothes, or tents, or houses. St. Paul may therefore have used an uncommon word in order to comprise the
two necessaries of raiment and house, though Huther thinks this "more than improbable." The use of the word "covering" in the R.V. seems designed to favor this double application. Ellicott thinks the word "probably only refers to clothing." Alford says, "Some take ' covering' of both clothing and dwelling, perhaps rightly." If one knew where St. Paul got the word
σκεπάσματα from, one could form a more decided opinion as to his meaning.
We shall be therewith content (
ἀρκεσθήσομεθα). The proper meaning of
ἀρκεῖσθαι followed by a dative is "
to be content with" (
Luke 3:14;
Hebrews 13:5). There is probably a covert hortative force in the use of the future here.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Butδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.if we haveἔχοντες(echontes)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2192:To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.foodδιατροφὰς(diatrophas)Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1305:Nourishment, food. From a compound of dia and trepho; nourishment.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.clothing,σκεπάσματα(skepasmata)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4629:Clothing, a covering, raiment. From a derivative of skepas; clothing.we will be contentἀρκεσθησόμεθα(arkesthēsometha)Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 714:To keep off, assist; I suffice; pass: To be satisfied. Apparently a primary verb; properly, to ward off, i.e. to avail.with these.τούτοις(toutois)Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.
Links
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1 Timothy 6:8 BibleApps.com1 Timothy 6:8 Biblia Paralela1 Timothy 6:8 Chinese Bible1 Timothy 6:8 French Bible1 Timothy 6:8 Catholic Bible
NT Letters: 1 Timothy 6:8 But having food and clothing we will (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm) 
