Towards Contextualising the Rich and the Poor: Relativity and Responsibility (Part 1)

In the practice of biblical exegesis, pastors, scholars, and laypeople alike often encounter challenging texts, which, if misunderstood, can lead to interpretative fallacies, even when there is a sincere desire to remain faithful to the truths of Scripture. The Bible, as an ancient text, was written within a world that is almost entirely foreign to contemporary readers. The authors of Scripture did not share the same sociocultural-economic realities as modern societies, nor did they conceptualise ideas such as wealth and poverty in the same way we do today. This disparity in sociocultural-economic contexts presents significant challenges when attempting to apply biblical teachings to contemporary issues.

For instance, when inspired writers such as Jacob ¹, Moses (Deuteronomy 15:11), and Paul (1 Timothy 6:17) discuss the “rich” and the “poor,” it is not immediately clear whether they conceptualise these categories in ways that align with modern understandings of socioeconomic classes. The terms themselves may refer to distinct realities within the ancient world, meaning that the way these passages applied to their original hearers may not directly translate to our contemporary context.

However, the task of the exegete goes beyond superficial interpretation. A faithful understanding of ancient texts demands a thorough grasp of the social context of the specific book, the intended audience, and the persuasive strategies the author employed to address the challenges at hand. As Virkler and Ayayo ² rightly observe, “The meaning of a text cannot be interpreted with any degree of certainty without a careful historical-cultural and contextual analysis.” This raises an important question: How can we discern whether a principle in Scripture is universally applicable or culturally specific/relative? At times, we may find ourselves asking whether we should apply a universal principle, or whether the application should be relative to the original context, recognising the socioeconomic realities that shaped both the ancient world and our own.

To further clarify this point, Stott ³ observes that “wealth and poverty are relative terms. Neither can be neatly defined. Among the poor, some are poorer than others, and among the wealthy, some are wealthier than others. Nevertheless, in every culture, there is a recognised difference between them.” This statement highlights the complexity of applying biblical teachings on wealth and poverty, acknowledging that the terms are inherently fluid and context-dependent.

This tension between contextual specificity and universal applicability lies at the heart of many challenges in biblical exegesis. It demands careful consideration to determine whether certain actions, such as those required of the “rich” in 1 Timothy 6:17–19, exclude the “poor” from exercising similar principles, or whether they reflect broader, enduring truths that should guide the conduct of Christians across different times, cultures, and socio-economic classes.

The aim of this brief article is to explore the challenges involved in discerning the relationship between context-specific instructions and universal principles within biblical exegesis. This exploration will focus on a text that addresses socioeconomic realities, particularly the concepts of wealth and poverty in 1 Timothy 6, and will examine the interpretative and interpretive issues it raises.

Key objectives include examining how wealth and poverty are conceptualised in the Bible, especially in Pauline epistles in Ephesus, and assessing how these terms relate to modern socio-economic categories; and examining whether biblical teachings on wealth, as seen in texts like 1 Timothy 6:6–8, 17–19, offer context-bound directives or universal principles.

The methodological approach will involve basic grammatico-historical exegetical interpretation of indicated key biblical texts, particularly those that address wealth and poverty in the context of Christian living. Texts such as 1 Timothy 6:6–8 and 1 Timothy 6:17–19 will be exegeted to determine whether Paul’s instructions about wealth are tied to the first-century context of Ephesus or whether they reflect broader, timeless directives.

The exegetical-hermeneutical approach will proceed in the following steps:

• Comparison of the socio-economic context of the Ephesus with contemporary socio-economic structures to assess the relevance of biblical teachings today;
• Close reading of Pauline passages, especially 1 Timothy 6, to understand how the apostle addresses wealth, contentment, and the responsible use of resources; and
• Conduct an exploration of the tension between interpreting text like 1 Timothy 6 as addressing immediate, contemporary issues, or as offering enduring moral principles for Christian conduct across time and cultures.

The expected outcome of this article is to encourage exegetes to develop a clearer understanding of the dynamic relationship between context-specific teachings and universal biblical principles—what can be termed contextualisation. The interpretation aims to demonstrate that while some biblical instructions are deeply rooted in their original context, many others provide universal guidelines and absolutes that remain relevant for Christians today.

By engaging with this key Pauline text, the blog post seeks to clarify whether teachings on wealth and poverty are universally applicable or context-specific / relative; and provide insight into how to apply/contextualise biblical principles to modern Christian life, particularly in relation to wealth, materialism, and benevolence.

In conclusion, while the Bible addresses wealth and poverty within specific contexts, the Ephesus principles found in 1 Timothy 6:6–8 and 1 Timothy 6:17–19 possess enduring relevance. These texts offer moral and ethical teachings on contentment, generosity, and the stewardship of resources that transcend their original historical setting. The tension between contextual specificity and universal application, rather than being a flaw, invites a deeper engagement with the richness of biblical teaching as it applies to our contemporary context. The broader biblical ethic regarding wealth and materialism remains pertinent today, providing guidance for individuals across various socio-economic classes in applying 1 Timothy 6:17–19.

This blog post contributes to ongoing discussions in our association by offering a framework for addressing the interpretative challenges arising from the intersection of ancient socioeconomic concepts, modern applications, and expositing our Core Value 19 on Good Works and Social Concern. Through an interpretation of Pauline teachings on wealth and poverty in 1 Timothy 6, this article offers a thoughtful reflection on how biblical principles on wealth, contentment, and Christian conduct can be meaningfully applied in today’s world.

Having established the background, objectives, and methodology, this short article now transitions to exegesis of 1 Timothy 6:6–8 and 1 Timothy 6:17–19, focusing on how these passages address the relationship between wealth, contentment, and benevolence. These key texts will serve as a foundation for examining the broader issue of how biblical teachings on wealth and poverty should be interpreted and applied in diverse, contemporary contexts. Part 2 will explore the timeless relevance of these principles, offering insight into their application in today’s world.