Laudator Temporis Acti

1 Timothy 6:8 (KJV):

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

ἔχοντες δὲ διατροφὰς καὶ σκεπάσματα, τούτοις ἀρκεσθησόμεθα.

Philip H. Towner ad loc.:

What Paul means by “contentment/self-sufficiency” is described with an informal condition.⁴⁴ It boils down to the basics of life, “food”⁴⁵ and “clothing.”⁴⁶ On the other side of the conditional thought stands another term in the domain of self-sufficiency: “if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”⁴⁷ Thus Paul fills out his self-sufficiency concept.

This interpretation of “contentment” in terms of the essential items of life can be found in Jewish and Greek literature.⁴⁸ It had also found a place in the Jesus tradition (Matt 6:25; Luke 12:22) and church writings (Heb 13:5), and Paul may be more closely in touch with its adaptation in and through the early Christian movement.

In any case, in explanation of the proverbial saying in v. 7, Paul’s interpretation of contentment/self-sufficiency provides his perspective on material living. What he endorses is not poverty, but, as Marshall and Stott aptly point out, a simple lifestyle.⁴⁹

44. For the adverbial participle (here ἔχοντες, “having”) expressing condition, see BDF §418.2.2.

45. Gk. διατρoφή (only here in the NT); LXX 1 Macc 6:49; Josephus, Antiquities 2.88; BDAG.

46. Gk. σκέπασμα (“clothing,” as in Aristotle, Politics 1336a; Philo, That the Worse Is Wont to Attack the Better 19, or “shelter,” as in Aristotle, Metaphysics 1043a); in the context of this discussion of self-sufficiency, “clothing” (TNIV/NIV, NRSV) is the better sense.

47. Gk. ἀρκέω (fut. indic. pass.: “to be content”; Luke 3:14; Heb 13:5; cf. 2 Cor 12:9; LXX 2 Macc 5:15; 4 Macc 6:28); Josephus, Life, 244; for the term in philosophical thought, see G. Kittel, TDNT 1:464-66 (esp. 465); possibly imperatival in force (Kelly, 137; Roloff, 336).

48. Gen 28:20; Sir 29:21; Plutarch, Moralia 155D; see further Dibelius and Conzelmann, 85; see also references to αὐτάρκεια above.

49. Marshall, 649; Stott, 153.

C. Spicq ad loc.: