1Timothy 6:9-10 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. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
‘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.’ Ten dangers of coveting riches: Many temptations of the devil (6:9). Many snares of the devil. Many foolish lusts. Many hurtful lusts. Destruction and perdition. The root of evil to grow (6:10). One to err from the faith. Many sorrows. Highmindedness (6:17). Wrong trust.
Riches in Scripture are considered the cause of much sin and rebellion against God; and, for this cause, there are many warnings to men, especially converted men, to shun all covetousness of such (6:4-19; Deut. 6:10-17; Ps. 52:1-7; 73:1-22; Pro. 23:4-5; 28:20-22; 30:8-9; Jer. 9:23; Ezek. 28:5; Matt. 6:19; Luke 6:24; 12:15-20; 16:13-31; Jas. 1:9-11; 5:1-3).
‘Snare’ [Greek: pagis] a net; trap; a pit dug in the ground, filled with sharp stakes, and covered over so that any man or animal who stumbles into it will be killed (3:7; 6:9; Luke 21:35; Rom. 11:9; 2Tim. 2:26).
‘Foolish and hurtful lusts.’ Too often, heaping up riches debases the mind, destroys godly traits, and causes selfishness, pride, and avarice which end in “destruction and perdition” (6:9-10).
‘Drown’ [Greek: buthizo] drown. Translated as “sink” in Luke 5:7.
To be continued…
Living the Word 