1 Timothy 6:8

KJV

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} having {G2192} food {G1305} and {G2532} raiment {G4629} let us be {G714} therewith {G5125} content {G714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so if we have food and clothing, we will be satisfied with these.

Berean Standard Bible

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.

American Standard Version

but having food and covering we shall be therewith content.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle Paul, in his pastoral epistle to Timothy, delivers a profound exhortation on Christian contentment, asserting that believers should find satisfaction in the provision of basic necessities—food and clothing. This concise yet powerful statement challenges the pervasive human tendency towards materialism and covetousness, redirecting the focus from the accumulation of earthly possessions to a posture of gratitude and spiritual sufficiency in God's faithful care.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the latter part of [1 Timothy chapter 6](/1_timothy/6 "1 Timothy 6 - Warnings Against False Teachers and Love of Money"), where Paul transitions from addressing false teachers and their destructive doctrines (e.g., [1 Timothy 6:3-5](/1_timothy/6-3-5 "1 Timothy 6:3-5 - False Teachers and Godliness for Gain")) to a direct exposition on the dangers of wealth and the pursuit of material gain. He has just established the foundational principle that "[godliness with contentment is great gain](/1_timothy/6-6 "1 Timothy 6:6 - Godliness with Contentment is Great Gain")" and reminded Timothy that "[we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out](/1_timothy/6-7 "1 Timothy 6:7 - We Brought Nothing into the World")". Verse 8, therefore, serves as a logical and practical extension of these preceding statements, providing a concrete example of what true contentment looks like in daily life, setting the stage for the stark warning against the "love of money" in [1 Timothy 6:9-10](/1_timothy/6-9-10 "1 Timothy 6:9-10 - The Dangers of Riches and the Root of All Evil").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Timothy was serving as a pastor in Ephesus, a prominent and wealthy city in the Roman province of Asia. Ephesus was a bustling commercial hub, known for its temple of Artemis (Diana), a center of both religious devotion and significant economic activity. The society was characterized by stark economic disparities, with immense wealth coexisting with widespread poverty. The pursuit of riches was a dominant cultural value, and the temptation for Christians to conform to this materialistic worldview, or for false teachers to exploit religion for financial gain, was considerable. Paul's instruction here directly confronts this cultural ethos, offering a counter-cultural call to simplicity and reliance on God's provision, rather than striving for the fleeting security and status that wealth offered in that society.
* **Key Themes:** [First Timothy](/1_timothy "The Book of 1 Timothy - Paul's Letter to Timothy") is rich with themes pertinent to church leadership and Christian living. Within [chapter 6](/1_timothy/6 "1 Timothy 6 - Warnings Against False Teachers and Love of Money"), several key themes emerge that verse 8 directly contributes to. The overarching theme is **Christian contentment**, which Paul presents as an antidote to covetousness and a hallmark of true godliness. This contentment is inextricably linked to **trust in God's provision**, emphasizing that believers should rely on God for their basic needs rather than succumbing to anxiety or greed, echoing the teachings of Jesus in the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/6-25-34 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry"). The verse also implicitly highlights the theme of **spiritual priorities over material possessions**, urging believers to prioritize eternal riches and a godly life over the temporal allure of wealth, which Paul warns can lead to "[many foolish and hurtful lusts](/1_timothy/6-9 "1 Timothy 6:9 - The Dangers of Riches")" and ultimately "[pierce themselves through with many sorrows](/1_timothy/6-10 "1 Timothy 6:10 - The Root of All Evil")".

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **food (Greek, _diatrophḗ'_):** Derived from a compound word meaning "nourishment," this term specifically refers to the sustenance necessary for life. It encompasses all that is required to feed and sustain the body, pointing to the most fundamental of human needs. Paul uses this word to denote basic provisions, not luxury or excess.
* **raiment (Greek, _sképasma'_):** This word literally means "a covering." In context, it primarily refers to clothing, but can also broadly include basic shelter or anything that provides necessary covering for protection and modesty. Like "food," it emphasizes the essential, rather than the extravagant.
* **content (Greek, _arkéō'_):** This primary verb means "to ward off" or "to be sufficient." In this context, it signifies being satisfied, finding sufficiency, or being enough. It implies a state of mind where one is adequately provided for and therefore does not crave more. It is not a passive resignation but an active, Spirit-enabled satisfaction with what God has supplied.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And having food and raiment":** This clause establishes the premise for the exhortation that follows. It posits a scenario where the most basic human needs—sustenance and covering—are met. The conjunction "And" (G1161, _dé_) serves as a continuative, linking this practical statement to the preceding theological truths about contentment and the fleeting nature of earthly possessions. It sets the baseline for what Paul considers sufficient for a believer's physical well-being.
* **"let us be therewith content":** This is the imperative command, the core of the verse's teaching. The phrase "therewith" (G5125, _toútois_) points directly back to "food and raiment," emphasizing that these two provisions are the scope of what should elicit contentment. The verb "content" (G714, _arkéō_) is a strong call to a state of satisfaction and sufficiency. It implies a deliberate choice to find peace and gratitude in having only the essentials, rather than striving for more or being discontent with one's current material state. This contentment is not merely a human effort but a divinely enabled disposition.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several effective literary devices in this concise verse. Primarily, there is a clear **Understatement** or **Litotes**, where "food and raiment" represent the bare minimum of human needs. By stating that these are sufficient, Paul implicitly critiques the insatiable desires for luxury and excess prevalent in society, making a powerful statement about spiritual priorities. The verse also functions as a **Didactic Maxim**, a short, memorable statement intended to convey a moral or practical truth. Its brevity and directness make it easily digestible and applicable. Furthermore, there is an element of **Contrast** implied: the simple contentment with basic provisions stands in stark contrast to the "love of money" and the "many foolish and hurtful lusts" that Paul warns against in the subsequent verses. This juxtaposition highlights the spiritual freedom found in simplicity versus the bondage of materialism.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The call to contentment with basic provisions in [1 Timothy 6:8](/1_timothy/6-8 "1 Timothy 6:8 - Contentment with Food and Raiment") is deeply rooted in broader biblical theology, reflecting God's consistent teaching on trust, provision, and the dangers of materialism. It aligns with the Old Testament emphasis on trusting Yahweh as the provider of daily bread and the warnings against accumulating wealth at the expense of justice or piety. The New Testament further develops this, with Jesus' own life exemplifying a detachment from material possessions and a radical trust in the Father. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true security and satisfaction are found not in what one possesses, but in a right relationship with God and a recognition of His faithful care. It challenges believers to cultivate a heart of gratitude for what they have, rather than a restless pursuit of what they lack, thereby freeing them to pursue godliness with undivided devotion.

* [Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - Be Content with What You Have")
* [Philippians 4:11-13](/philippians/4-11-13 "Philippians 4:11-13 - Paul's Secret of Contentment")
* [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25-34 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry About Your Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world constantly pushing us towards more—more possessions, more experiences, more status—[1 Timothy 6:8](/1_timothy/6-8 "1 Timothy 6:8 - A Call to Contentment") stands as a counter-cultural beacon. It invites us to pause and deeply consider what truly constitutes "enough." This verse is not a call to asceticism or poverty, but a profound invitation to spiritual freedom from the tyranny of consumerism and the anxiety of accumulation. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of gratitude for God's daily provision, recognizing that our ultimate satisfaction is found not in material abundance, but in our relationship with Him. Embracing this truth allows us to reorient our desires, reduce unnecessary stress, and free up resources—both financial and emotional—to invest in what truly matters: our spiritual growth, our relationships, and the advancement of God's kingdom. It encourages a lifestyle of simplicity and generosity, where our needs are met, and our hearts are content, allowing us to live more fully for Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "enough" look like in your life, according to the principles of [1 Timothy 6:8](/1_timothy/6-8 "1 Timothy 6:8 - Defining Enough")?**
* **How does societal pressure to acquire more conflict with the biblical call to contentment?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be able to simplify to better align with this verse's teaching?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean Christians should live in poverty or avoid wealth?**

Answer: No, [1 Timothy 6:8](/1_timothy/6-8 "1 Timothy 6:8 - Contentment, Not Poverty") does not command poverty or forbid wealth. Instead, it addresses the *attitude* towards material possessions. Paul is emphasizing that believers should be content with basic necessities, meaning their happiness and security should not be contingent on accumulating more than what is needed for sustenance and covering. The issue is not wealth itself, but the "love of money" ([1 Timothy 6:10](/1_timothy/6-10 "1 Timothy 6:10 - The Root of All Evil")), which can lead to spiritual ruin. A Christian can be wealthy and still be content, if their heart is not set on riches, but on God. The verse promotes spiritual freedom from materialism, not a mandated economic status.

**How does "contentment" in this verse relate to ambition or striving for improvement?**

Answer: Biblical contentment, as taught in [1 Timothy 6:8](/1_timothy/6-8 "1 Timothy 6:8 - Contentment and Ambition"), is not a passive resignation that stifles ambition or personal improvement. Rather, it is an inner state of peace and satisfaction with God's provision, regardless of external circumstances. It means that our joy and identity are not derived from our possessions or achievements. A person can be content with their basic provisions while still striving for excellence in their work, pursuing education, or seeking to improve their circumstances, as long as these pursuits are not driven by greed, envy, or a restless desire for more, but by a desire to glorify God and serve others. The key is the heart's disposition—are we satisfied in Christ, or are we constantly chasing what the world offers?

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The call to contentment in [1 Timothy 6:8](/1_timothy/6-8 "1 Timothy 6:8 - Christ-Centered Contentment") finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Our Lord Himself perfectly embodied this principle, famously stating that "[the Son of man hath not where to lay his head](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - Jesus' Homelessness")" ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - Jesus' Homelessness")), demonstrating a complete detachment from material comforts and an absolute reliance on the Father's provision. His life was a living sermon on prioritizing the Kingdom of God over earthly possessions, as seen in His teachings to "[seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")" ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")) and His warnings against the deceitfulness of riches ([Mark 4:19](/mark/4-19 "Mark 4:19 - The Deceitfulness of Riches")). For the believer, true contentment is not merely a stoic acceptance of one's lot, but a Spirit-empowered satisfaction rooted in the reality of Christ's all-sufficiency. Because we have Christ, who is our "[all in all](/colossians/3-11 "Colossians 3:11 - Christ is All")" ([Colossians 3:11](/colossians/3-11 "Colossians 3:11 - Christ is All")), and because He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us ([Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - I Will Never Leave You")), we can truly be content with what we have, knowing that our greatest treasure is not found in "food and raiment" but in Him who "[became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty and Our Riches")" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty and Our Riches")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 13:5

[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Hebrews 13:6

So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Matthew 6:11

Give us this day our daily bread.

Matthew 6:25

¶ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Genesis 28:20

And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

Proverbs 30:8

Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: