1 Timothy 6:8

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Timothy 6:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “but having food and covering we shall be therewith content.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

but having food and covering we shall be therewith content.
1 Timothy 6:8 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Timothy 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8but having food and covering we shall be therewith content.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And having food and raiment, etc.] “Food” includes all things necessary to be ate and drank, of which there is a great variety, and is here expressed in the plural number; and “raiment” every necessary covering, as the word used signifies, and includes an habitation, which is a cover and shelter from the inclementencies of the weather. And now having all these comforts and necessaries of life, food to eat, and drink to extinguish thirst and refresh, raiment to put on, and a house to dwell in, let us be therewith content: there is very good reason why the saints should be content; since more than these things cannot be enjoyed; and these they have with a blessing, and as a fruit and token of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And--Greek, "But." In contrast to the greedy gain-seekers (Ti1 6:5). having--so long as we have food. (The Greek expresses "food sufficient in each case for our continually recurring wants" [ALFORD]). It is implied that we, as believers, shall have this (Isa 23:16). raiment--Greek, "covering"; according to some including a roof to cover us, that is, a dwelling, as well as clothing. let us be therewith content--literally, "we shall be sufficiently provided"; "we shall be sufficed" [ALFORD].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And having food and raiment - Food and raiment, here, seem to be used to denote supplies for our needs in general. It is not uncommon to denote the whole by a part, and, as these are the principal things which we really need, and without which life could not be sustained, the apostle uses the phrase to denote all that is really necessary for us. We cannot suppose that he would forbid a desire of a comfortable habitation, or of the means of knowledge, or of conveniences for worshipping God, etc. The idea is, that having those flyings which meet the actual necessities of our nature, and save us from distress, we should not strive after “uncertain riches,” or make wealth the object of our…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Covering - That is, raiment and an house to cover us. This is all that a Christian needs, and all that his religion allows him to desire. 1 Timothy 6:9”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Gen 28:20, Gen 48:15; Deu 2:7, Deu 8:3, Deu 8:4; Pro 27:23-27, Pro 30:8, Pro 30:9; Ecc 2:24-26; Ecc 3:12, Ecc 3:13; Mat 6:11, Mat 6:25-33; Heb 13:5, Heb 13:6 1 Timothy 6:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification