1 Timothy 6:9
New International Version
Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

New Living Translation
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.

English Standard Version
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people 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.

Berean Literal Bible
But those desiring to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge men into ruin and destruction.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.

New American Standard Bible
But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction.

NASB 1995
But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.

NASB 1977
But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.

Legacy Standard Bible
But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.

Amplified Bible
But those who [are not financially ethical and] crave to get rich [with a compulsive, greedy longing for wealth] fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction [leading to personal misery].

Christian Standard Bible
But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people 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.

Contemporary English Version
People who want to be rich fall into all sorts of temptations and traps. They are caught by foolish and harmful desires that drag them down and destroy them.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But people who want to get rich keep falling into temptation. They are trapped by many stupid and harmful desires which drown them in destruction and ruin.

Good News Translation
But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and are caught in the trap of many foolish and harmful desires, which pull them down to ruin and destruction.

International Standard Version
But people who want to get rich keep toppling into temptation and are trapped by many stupid and harmful desires that plunge them into destruction and ruin.

Majority 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.

NET Bible
Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation and a trap and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

New Heart English Bible
But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as plunge people into ruin and destruction.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
But people who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many unwise and pernicious ways which sink mankind in destruction and ruin.

World English Bible
But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and those intending to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many desires, foolish and hurtful, that sink men into ruin and destruction,

Berean Literal Bible
But those desiring to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge men into ruin and destruction.

Young's Literal Translation
and those wishing to be rich, do fall into temptation and a snare, and many desires, foolish and hurtful, that sink men into ruin and destruction,

Smith's Literal Translation
And they wishing to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many eager desires, unwise and hurtful, which sink men into ruin and perdition.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For they that will become rich, fall into temptation, and into the snare of the devil, and into many unprofitable and hurtful desires, which drown men into destruction and perdition.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For those who want to become rich fall into temptation and into the snare of the devil and into many useless and harmful desires, which submerge men in destruction and in perdition.

New American Bible
Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction.

New Revised Standard Version
But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For those who desire to be rich, fall into temptations, and snares, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in degeneration and destruction.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptations and into traps, and into many foolish and harmful desires, and they sink the children of men into corruption and destruction.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But those who will be rich fail into temptation and a snare, and many foolish and hurtful desires, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Godbey New Testament
But those wishing to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown the people in destruction and perdition.

Haweis New Testament
For they who will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful passions, which sink men in the abyss of destruction and perdition.

Mace New Testament
themselves to temptations and snares, and to many foolish noxious passions, which plunge men into ruin and perdition, for the love of money is the root of all evil:

Weymouth New Testament
But people who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many unwise and pernicious ways which sink mankind in destruction and ruin.

Worrell New Testament
But those, purposing to be rich, fall into temptation, and a snare, and many foolish and hurtful desires, which, indeed, sink men into destruction and perdition.

Worsley New Testament
But they, that will be rich, fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which plunge men into ruin and perdition.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Contentment in Godliness
8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 9Those 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. 10For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.…

Cross References
James 1:14-15
But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Proverbs 28:20
A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

Matthew 13:22
The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Luke 12:15
And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Ecclesiastes 5:10
He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile.

Mark 4:19
but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”

Proverbs 11:28
He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.

2 Peter 2:1-3
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.

Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Proverbs 15:27
He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.

Luke 16:13
No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

2 Timothy 3:2
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

Proverbs 23:4-5
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. / When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

Colossians 3:5
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

they.

Genesis 13:10-13
And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar…

Numbers 22:17-19
For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people…

Joshua 7:11
Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.

snare.

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.

Deuteronomy 7:25
The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God.

Psalm 11:6
Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.

many.

Mark 4:19
And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

Ephesians 4:22
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

1 John 2:15-17
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…

which.

1 Timothy 1:9
Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

Numbers 31:8
And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.

Joshua 7:24-26
And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor…

Jump to Previous
Danger Death Desire Desires Destruction Determined Drown Fall Falling Foolish Harmful Hurtful Lusts Mankind Minded Net Overtaken Perdition Pernicious Plunge Rich Ruin Senseless Sink Snare Temptation Trap Unwise Want Ways Wealth Wishing
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Danger Death Desire Desires Destruction Determined Drown Fall Falling Foolish Harmful Hurtful Lusts Mankind Minded Net Overtaken Perdition Pernicious Plunge Rich Ruin Senseless Sink Snare Temptation Trap Unwise Want Ways Wealth Wishing
1 Timothy 6
1. Of the duty of servants.
3. Not to have fellowship with newfangled teachers.
6. Godliness is great gain;
10. and love of money the root of all evil.
11. What Timothy is to flee, and what to follow.
17. and whereof to admonish the rich.
20. To keep the purity of true doctrine, and to avoid godless ideas.














Those who want to be rich
This phrase addresses the desire or aspiration for wealth. The Greek word for "want" (βουλόμενοι) implies a deliberate intention or strong desire. In the historical context of the early church, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's blessing, yet Paul warns against the pursuit of riches as a primary goal. The conservative Christian perspective emphasizes that the love of money can lead to spiritual compromise and distract from a life devoted to God.

fall into temptation
The Greek word for "fall" (ἐμπίπτουσιν) suggests an unexpected or sudden occurrence. Temptation (πειρασμός) here refers to trials or tests that challenge one's faith and moral integrity. Historically, the early Christians faced numerous temptations, including the allure of wealth, which could lead them away from their commitment to Christ. The conservative view stresses vigilance and reliance on God's strength to resist such temptations.

and become ensnared
The imagery of being "ensnared" (παγίδα) evokes a trap set for animals, indicating a subtle and dangerous entrapment. This reflects the deceptive nature of wealth, which can subtly capture one's heart and mind. In a scriptural context, this aligns with the warnings found in Proverbs about the dangers of pursuing wealth without wisdom.

by many foolish and harmful desires
The term "foolish" (ἀνοήτους) denotes a lack of understanding or wisdom, while "harmful" (βλαβεράς) indicates something that causes damage or injury. Desires (ἐπιθυμίας) in this context are cravings or lusts that lead away from godliness. Historically, these desires could manifest in various forms, such as greed or covetousness, which are condemned throughout Scripture. The conservative perspective encourages believers to cultivate contentment and godliness over material gain.

that plunge them into ruin and destruction
The word "plunge" (βυθίζουσιν) conveys the idea of being submerged or overwhelmed. "Ruin" (ὄλεθρον) and "destruction" (ἀπώλειαν) both suggest total loss or devastation, not just physically but spiritually. This serves as a stark warning of the ultimate consequences of prioritizing wealth over faith. In the broader biblical narrative, this echoes the teachings of Jesus, who warned against storing up treasures on earth. The conservative Christian view underscores the importance of eternal values over temporal wealth, urging believers to seek first the kingdom of God.

(9) But they that will be rich.--Here St. Paul guards against the danger of his words being then or at any future time misinterpreted by any dreamy, unpractical school of asceticism, supposing that voluntary poverty was a state of life peculiarly pleasing to the Most High--the strange mistake upon which the great Mendicant orders were organised in the Middle Ages. Those who exposed themselves to the winning temptations and deadly sins he was about to speak of were not "the rich," but those who longingly plan to be rich.

Fall into temptation.--Those longing to be rich will fall into the temptation to increase their worldly goods, even at the sacrifice of principle. Some unlawful method of gratifying their passion for gain will present itself; conscientious scruples will be thrown to the winds, and they who wish to be rich will fall into the temptation. We pray so often His prayer, "Lead us not into temptation." In the same hour we long--perhaps even with the same breath we pray--that our worldly means may be increased, our position bettered, little thinking that the longing for an increase of riches and position will lead us into the most dangerous of all temptations!

And a snare.--A very tangle, as it has been well called, of conflicting motives--each fresh gratification of the ruling passion, perhaps excused under the plausible names of industry, home claims, praiseworthy and healthy enterprise, entangling the unhappy soul more completely.

And into many foolish and hurtful lusts.--The lusts or desires into which those who long to be rich fall, are well named "foolish," because in so many instances they are passionate desires for things utterly undesirable, the possession of which can afford neither pleasure nor advantage--such, for instance, is the love of hoarding wealth, so common to those men who have longed for and obtained riches; and "hurtful" often to the body as well as to the soul do these rich find their "longings," when gratified.

Which drown men in . . .--Better rendered, which plunge men into . . .

Destruction and perdition.--"Destruction" refers rather to wreck and ruin of the body, whilst "perdition" belongs rather to that more awful ruin of the eternal soul. The gratification of desires, whether these desires are centred in the lower animal passions of the table, or in the pursuit of yet baser and more selfish passions still, invariably leads to the destruction of the poor frail human body first. This premature breaking up of the earthly tabernacle is the herald and precursor of the final perdition of the immortal soul.

Verse 9. - Desire to for will, A.V.; a temptation for temptation, A.V.; many for into many, A.V.; such as for which, A.V. A temptation. The reason of the insertion of the article before "temptation" in the R.V. seems to be that, as the three substantives all depend upon the one preposition εἰς, they ought all to be treated alike. But if so, the reasoning is not good, because "temptation" implies a state, not merely a single temptation. The prefixing of the article is therefore improper. It should be "temptation," as in the A.V. and in Matthew 6:13; Matthew 26:41; Luke 22:40, etc. Snare (παγίδα); as 1 Timothy 3:7, note. The concur-pence of the two words περιρασμός and παγίς show that the agency of Satan was in the writer's mind. Several good manuscripts, Fathers, and versions, add the words τοῦ διαβόλου after παγίδα (Huther). Drown (βυθίζουσι); only here and Luke 5:7 in the New Testament. Found also in 2 Macc. 12:4, and in Polybius - "to sink," transitive. Destruction and perdition (ὔλεθρον καὶ ἀπώλειαν). The two words taken together imply utter ruin and destruction of body and soul. Ὄλεθρος, very common in classical Greek, occurs in 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:9, and is limited in the first passage to the destruction of the body, by the words, τῆς σαρκός. Ἀπωλεία, less common in classical Greek, is of frequent use in the New Testament, and, when applied to persons, seems to be always used (except in Acts 25:16) in the sense of "perdition" (Matthew 7:13; John 17:12; Romans 9:22; Philippians 3:19; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; Hebrews 10:39; 2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 17:3, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Those who
Οἱ (Hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

want
βουλόμενοι (boulomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1014: To will, intend, desire, wish. Middle voice of a primary verb; to 'will, ' i.e. be willing.

to be rich,
πλουτεῖν (ploutein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 4147: To become rich, be rich, abound in. From ploutizo; to be wealthy.

however,
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

fall
ἐμπίπτουσιν (empiptousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1706: To fall in, be cast in, be involved in. From en and pipto; to fall on, i.e. to be entrapped by, or be overwhelmed with.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

temptation
πειρασμὸν (peirasmon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3986: From peirazo; a putting to proof (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

become ensnared
παγίδα (pagida)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3803: From pegnumi; a trap; figuratively, a trick or statagem.

by many
πολλὰς (pollas)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

foolish
ἀνοήτους (anoētous)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 453: Foolish, thoughtless. By implication, sensual.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

harmful
βλαβεράς (blaberas)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 983: Injurious, hurtful. From blapto; injurious.

desires
ἐπιθυμίας (epithymias)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1939: Desire, eagerness for, inordinate desire, lust. From epithumeo; a longing.

that
αἵτινες (haitines)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3748: Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever.

plunge
βυθίζουσιν (bythizousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1036: To cause to sink; mid: I sink, submerge, drown. From buthos; to sink; by implication, to drown.

[them]
ἀνθρώπους (anthrōpous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

ruin
ὄλεθρον (olethron)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3639: Ruin, doom, destruction, death. From a primary ollumi; ruin, i.e. Death, punishment.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

destruction.
ἀπώλειαν (apōleian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 684: Destruction, ruin, loss, perishing; eternal ruin. From a presumed derivative of apollumi; ruin or loss.


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NT Letters: 1 Timothy 6:9 But those who are determined to be (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm)
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