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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} they that will {G1014} be rich {G4147} fall {G1706} into {G1519} temptation {G3986} and {G2532} a snare {G3803}, and {G2532} into many {G4183} foolish {G453} and {G2532} hurtful {G983} lusts {G1939}, which {G3748} drown {G1036} men {G444} in {G1519} destruction {G3639} and {G2532} perdition {G684}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Furthermore, those whose goal is to be rich fall into temptation; they get trapped in many foolish and hurtful ambitions which plunge them into ruin and destruction.

Berean Standard Bible

Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.

American Standard Version

But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle Paul issues a severe warning in his first letter to Timothy, highlighting the profound spiritual dangers inherent in the deliberate and intense desire to acquire wealth. He reveals that such a pursuit inevitably leads individuals into a perilous cycle of temptation, entrapment, and the cultivation of destructive desires, ultimately culminating in spiritual ruin and eternal loss. This passage serves as a critical caution against prioritizing material gain over spiritual integrity and contentment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within [1 Timothy chapter 6](/1_timothy/6 "1 Timothy 6 - Instructions for Godly Living"), a section where Paul provides Timothy with crucial instructions regarding church leadership, sound doctrine, and practical Christian living. Immediately preceding [1 Timothy 6:9](/1_timothy/6-9 "1 Timothy 6:9 - The Dangers of Desiring Riches"), Paul contrasts false teaching driven by greed ([1 Timothy 6:3-5](/1_timothy/6-3-5 "1 Timothy 6:3-5 - False Teachers and Godliness")) with the profound value of "godliness with contentment" ([1 Timothy 6:6-8](/1_timothy/6-6-8 "1 Timothy 6:6-8 - Godliness with Contentment")). Verse [6:9](/1_timothy/6-9 "1 Timothy 6:9 - The Dangers of Desiring Riches") then elaborates on the dire consequences for those who disregard this contentment and instead fix their ambition on riches. It also serves as a direct precursor to the famous declaration in [1 Timothy 6:10](/1_timothy/6-10 "1 Timothy 6:10 - The Root of All Evil") that "the love of money is the root of all evil," providing the logical and theological foundation for that weighty statement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Timothy was serving as a young leader in Ephesus, a prominent and prosperous Roman city in Asia Minor. Ephesus was a major commercial hub, renowned for its wealth, its bustling marketplace, and the magnificent Temple of Artemis, which attracted pilgrims and commerce from across the ancient world. In such an environment, the pursuit of material gain would have been a pervasive cultural value, potentially influencing believers and even church leaders. Paul's warning directly confronts this prevailing ethos, challenging the assumption that material prosperity equates to divine favor or true success. The Ephesian church likely included both wealthy and poor members, making the issue of wealth and its temptations a practical concern for pastoral guidance.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in 1 Timothy and Paul's broader theology. It underscores the theme of **true godliness vs. worldly pursuits**, emphasizing that spiritual well-being is often at odds with the relentless pursuit of material wealth. It also highlights the **deceitfulness of sin and temptation**, illustrating how seemingly innocuous desires can lead to profound spiritual downfall. The passage further develops the theme of **contentment as a spiritual virtue**, contrasting it sharply with the insatiable nature of greed. Finally, it speaks to the theme of **discipleship and spiritual formation**, urging believers to guard their hearts against the corrupting influence of materialism and to pursue a life rooted in eternal values rather than fleeting earthly riches, a message echoed in passages like [Colossians 3:1-2](/colossians/3-1-2 "Colossians 3:1-2 - Set Your Minds on Things Above").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **will (Greek, _boúlomai'_):** This word signifies a strong, deliberate intention or fixed purpose. It is not merely a passive desire or the accidental accumulation of wealth, but an active, determined ambition to become rich. This highlights the heart's posture and the conscious choice to pursue material gain as a primary goal, setting it apart from simply having wealth.
* **snare (Greek, _pagís'_):** Literally meaning a trap, noose, or gin used for hunting animals, this term vividly portrays the deceptive and entangling nature of the pursuit of riches. It suggests that those who "will be rich" are lured into a hidden danger, caught unawares, and then held captive, leading to spiritual paralysis and eventual destruction.
* **drown (Greek, _bythízō'_):** This powerful verb means to sink, submerge, or be overwhelmed. It paints a picture of being completely engulfed and lost, like a ship sinking in the ocean. The imagery conveys the utter and irreversible ruin that the "foolish and hurtful lusts" bring upon those who succumb to the desire for wealth, leading to a complete spiritual shipwreck.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But they that will be rich":** This initial clause immediately identifies the target of the warning: not those who are rich, but those who harbor a deep, intentional, and consuming desire to become rich. The emphasis is on the inward disposition and the deliberate ambition to acquire wealth.
* **"fall into temptation and a snare":** The consequence of this ambition is a descent into spiritual peril. "Temptation" (peirasmós) refers to trials or solicitations to evil, while "snare" (pagís) implies being caught in a trap, highlighting the deceptive and entrapping nature of this pursuit. The desire for riches makes one vulnerable and susceptible to various forms of sin.
* **"and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts":** The temptations and snares lead to the cultivation of numerous "lusts" (epithymía), which are strong desires. These desires are characterized as "foolish" (anóētos), meaning irrational or senseless in a spiritual sense, and "hurtful" (blaberós), indicating they are damaging and injurious to one's soul, relationships, and walk with God. Such lusts might include covetousness, dishonesty, pride, and an insatiable craving for more.
* **"which drown men in destruction and perdition":** The ultimate outcome of these foolish and hurtful lusts is catastrophic. The vivid imagery of "drowning" (bythízō) suggests being completely overwhelmed and submerged in ruin. "Destruction" (ólethros) implies utter ruin or death, often with a connotation of divine punishment, while "perdition" (apṓleia) denotes complete loss, ruin, or eternal damnation. Together, these terms emphasize the profound and ultimate spiritual catastrophe that awaits those consumed by the desire for wealth.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent **literary devices** to convey the gravity of his warning. The primary device is **Metaphor**, particularly in the phrases "fall into temptation and a snare" and "drown men in destruction and perdition." The "snare" vividly depicts the deceptive and entrapping nature of wealth's allure, suggesting a hunter's trap that ensnares its prey. The image of being "drowned" is a powerful **metaphor** for complete and irreversible ruin, conveying a sense of being utterly overwhelmed and consumed by the consequences of greed, leading to a spiritual shipwreck. The use of **Hyperbole** or strong language like "many foolish and hurtful lusts" and "destruction and perdition" amplifies the severity of the danger, ensuring Timothy and the Ephesian believers grasp the dire stakes. The passage functions as a **Warning**, designed to shock and deter, using stark imagery to underscore the spiritual perils of materialism.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's warning in [1 Timothy 6:9](/1_timothy/6-9 "1 Timothy 6:9 - The Dangers of Desiring Riches") resonates deeply with a consistent biblical theme: the inherent danger of materialism and the deceitfulness of riches. From the Old Testament prophets who condemned the exploitation of the poor by the wealthy, to Jesus's parables about the rich fool and the difficulty for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, Scripture consistently cautions against placing trust or ultimate value in material possessions. The desire for wealth often displaces God as the ultimate object of worship and trust, leading to idolatry and a distorted view of true life and security. This passage underscores that the problem is not wealth itself, but the heart's orientation towards it—the "will to be rich"—which breeds a host of sinful desires and ultimately leads to spiritual ruin, a stark contrast to the contentment found in Christ.

* [Proverbs 28:20](/proverbs/28-20 "Proverbs 28:20 - The Faithful Man and Riches")
* [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - Cannot Serve Two Masters")
* [Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Beware of Covetousness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Timothy 6:9](/1_timothy/6-9 "1 Timothy 6:9 - The Dangers of Desiring Riches") serves as a timeless and urgent caution for believers in every generation, challenging us to deeply examine our hearts regarding our attitude towards money and material possessions. It compels us to ask whether our ambitions are aligned with God's kingdom or with the fleeting pursuits of this world. The passage is not a condemnation of wealth itself, but a piercing indictment of the *desire* to be rich, which can subtly, yet powerfully, corrupt one's spiritual priorities, integrity, and relationships. True security, fulfillment, and peace are found not in accumulating earthly riches, which are inherently unstable, but in a steadfast relationship with Christ and a life marked by contentment and godliness. We are called to guard vigilantly against the subtle allure of materialism, recognizing that the relentless pursuit of wealth can lead to spiritual shipwreck and ultimately, eternal loss, as emphasized in Paul's subsequent warning in [1 Timothy 6:10](/1_timothy/6-10 "1 Timothy 6:10 - The Love of Money"). This verse encourages a posture of contentment, trust in God's provision, and a focus on eternal treasures.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What is my deepest desire when it comes to money and possessions? Is it contentment with what I have, or a restless ambition for more?**
* **In what ways might the pursuit of wealth be a "snare" or a "temptation" in my own life, subtly leading me away from God's priorities?**
* **What "foolish and hurtful lusts" might arise in my heart if I were to prioritize financial gain above all else?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart of contentment and generosity that reflects God's values rather than the world's?**

### FAQ
**Does 1 Timothy 6:9 condemn all rich people or the pursuit of wealth itself?**

Answer: No, [1 Timothy 6:9](/1_timothy/6-9 "1 Timothy 6:9 - The Dangers of Desiring Riches") does not condemn being rich, nor does it inherently condemn the honest acquisition of wealth. The passage specifically targets "they that *will be* rich," which refers to a deliberate, consuming desire or ambition to acquire wealth. The danger lies in the *love of money* (as stated in [1 Timothy 6:10](/1_timothy/6-10 "1 Timothy 6:10 - The Root of All Evil")) and the prioritization of material gain over spiritual values, leading to temptations, snares, and destructive desires. The Bible acknowledges that some godly individuals were wealthy (e.g., Abraham, Job), but it consistently warns against the dangers of greed and the deceitfulness of riches.

**What are "foolish and hurtful lusts" in this context?**

Answer: The "foolish and hurtful lusts" (Greek: *anóētos* and *blaberós epithymía*) are strong desires that arise from the ambition to be rich. They are "foolish" because they are irrational and spiritually senseless, leading to empty pursuits that do not satisfy the soul. They are "hurtful" because they cause damage to one's spiritual life, relationships, and moral integrity. These lusts can manifest as covetousness, dishonesty, pride, an insatiable craving for more, a willingness to compromise one's ethics for financial gain, or an obsessive preoccupation with worldly things that distract from God. They are destructive because they ultimately "drown men in destruction and perdition," leading to spiritual ruin.

**What does "destruction and perdition" mean in this verse?**

Answer: "Destruction" (Greek: *ólethros*) and "perdition" (Greek: *apṓleia*) are strong terms that signify utter ruin, loss, and ultimate undoing. In this context, they refer to a profound spiritual catastrophe, a complete shipwreck of faith and life. While they can have eschatological implications (eternal damnation), their primary meaning here is the complete moral and spiritual ruin that results from succumbing to the love of money. It's a state of being utterly lost and overwhelmed by sin, leading to a life devoid of spiritual vitality and potentially resulting in eternal separation from God. It's the antithesis of the "godliness with contentment" that Paul commends in [1 Timothy 6:6](/1_timothy/6-6 "1 Timothy 6:6 - Godliness with Contentment").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [1 Timothy 6:9](/1_timothy/6-9 "1 Timothy 6:9 - The Dangers of Desiring Riches") stands as a stark warning, its ultimate fulfillment and the antidote to the dangers it describes are found in Christ. Jesus himself perfectly modeled a life free from the love of money, choosing poverty and dependence on the Father even though "He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Example of Poverty for Our Riches")). He consistently warned against the deceitfulness of riches, urging His followers to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")) and declaring that "you cannot serve God and money" ([Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - Cannot Serve Two Masters")). In Christ, believers find true contentment, for He is the source of all satisfaction and security, enabling us to say with Paul, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content" ([Philippians 4:11-13](/philippians/4-11-13 "Philippians 4:11-13 - Contentment in Christ")). The "destruction and perdition" that the pursuit of wealth brings is overcome by the salvation offered through Christ's sacrifice, which delivers us from the power of sin and death, offering eternal life and true spiritual riches that can never be lost or stolen ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life")). Thus, the Christian life, centered on Christ, provides the ultimate escape from the snare of materialism and offers a path to genuine, lasting fulfillment.

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

1 John 2:15

Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1 John 2:17

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Proverbs 15:27

¶ He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

Acts 8:20

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

1 Timothy 3:7

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Proverbs 28:20

¶ A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

Proverbs 28:22

¶ He that hasteth to be rich [hath] an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.