1 Timothy 6:1-21 - Series on the Epistles of Paul (122)

In chapter 5, Paul's instruction to Timothy started by directing Timothy in how to deal with different brethren in the congregation about specific issues, and he basically was dealing with widows, parochial widows, and elders, ministers of the church. Now in chapter 6, he concludes that section by addressing workers, in other words, slaves, and the taskmasters in our age would be managers. The analogy for today would be that. And so he starts by turning to the very root of the problem, and the root of the problem that he's addressing is basically greed. This is the cause that motivated false teachers and caused many to wander from the faith. And so he concludes that section of addressing those people, workers and managers, and then he concludes the actual epistle with some personal instructions to Timothy. So let's start with chapter 6 verse 1. It says, let as many born servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor so that the name of God and his doctrine may not be blasphemed. And so he's literally talking about slaves. Now slaves in the Roman Empire had no rights of their own. They were like a thing that was owned by the master. And so according to the Roman law, the slave was like a living tool, and his master could buy or sell him, could beat him, could throw him out, could kill him, and nothing would be said. He was just like a tool, a living tool. So there was always the potential of abuse, abuse of slaves. So when it says, young, born masters as many are born servants as are under the yoke, count their own masters worthy of all honor. So he was now telling these slaves under these conditions to treat their masters in a manner that they would be worthy of all honor. Consider the following. Paul was not saying slaves you must run away, masters if you're Christians you must let them go. But is he showing how they should treat each other? So what? So that God's name and the teaching, God's doctrine, is not spoken badly of, not blasphemed. In today's application that is applicable, for instance, as employees to our managers or bosses. And the more we treat our boss well, our manager will respect him, the more it's likely that he will respond well towards us as well. Now we need to also remember that Paul had to deal with a runaway deserter, a thief, and a slave, Onesimus, who later became converted. And Onesimus had a master, let's call it that, whose name was Philomon. And that we addressed in that short epistle. We talked about that. Now continue now in verse 2, and those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved.

And they say, teach and exhort these things. And here is an example, for instance, that regrettably sometimes happens that if somebody works for a church member or vice versa, the church member is a manager of another church member in the job position, sometimes it happens that one takes advantage of the other. And the reasoning might be, well, he understands because he's in the church. But what we should be doing, because he is in the church, whether he's the employee or the manager, we should be doing our level best. And that's what Paul is saying, yeah, those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, really do your best. And so the problem arises sometimes. It's because some believers are not yet taking the approach of giving, but rather of taking. And so we as believers, we must set the example of being givers, of going out of our way. We can see the example of Abraham when Abraham and Lot had amongst their laborers a dispute about land. We read that in Genesis 13, in Genesis 13, and Genesis 13.

Verse 8 and 9, and then it says, and so Abraham said to Lot, please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brethren. It is not, is not the whole land before you. Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I'll go to the right. If you go to the right, I'll go to the left. And so, yeah, is an attitude that Abraham exemplified one of giving, of being willing to submit to the other and really to serve one another. So that should be our attitude in the church. And so, Paul is saying, yeah, teach and exhort these things. And so, teach and exhort these things, not necessarily just these things that he finished in verse 1 and 2, but all these things that he's been teaching, these preceding things. How to treat widows, how to treat elders, etc. Teach and exhort these things. Now we move to a sectionia between verse 3 and verse 10, which is focusing on a problem mostly about false teachers. And the root of that problem was greed, was greed. Because then he says, if anyone teaches otherwise, he says, yeah. And so, he's now addressing these false teachers. And he says, well, if you teach otherwise and does not content a compartmental consent to the wholesome words, even the words of Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness. So, yeah, we have Paul instructing Timothy to say, we really must make sure that there are wholesome words coming from the ministry, for instance, in your area. So, and if anyone is teaching otherwise, you know, there is a problem as he will address it in verse 4. It is interesting that this is the third time that Paul mentions about false teachers in this letter. The first time is in chapter 1 verses 3 to 7. Chapter 1 was 3 to 7. And you can see, as I urge you that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine. So, and then he goes explaining that. So, that is the first time he mentions false teachers. The second time is in chapter 4, verses 1 through 5. Then he says, now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking, and so on. And so, in this section, we can see a second time that Paul is addressing false teachers. And now the third time, yeah, is in chapter 6, 3 through 10. And so, he is saying that the good teacher should be sticking to all some words. In other words, sound, healthy words should be adhering to the doctrine according to godliness. In other words, a teaching which is being faithfully doing, our duties being like God, faithfully doing those. And so, we can see in this section alone of chapter 6, we can see a number of touch points about the importance of teaching the truth, seamlessly teaching the truth. You see, for instance, in verse 3, where it's talking about, you know, teach no other doctrine. You see, for instance, also in verse 3, that it talks about teaching wholesome words.

We see in verse 5, it's talking about, it says, godliness and saying that these people that are destitute of the truth. So, it's talking about teaching the truth. In verse 14, it says, keep this commandment without spot. In verse 20, it says, God was what was committed to your trust, which is the gospel and the truth. And in verse 21, it says, talks about some strain concerning the faith. And so, we see, just in this brief section of chapter 6, a seamless teaching of the truth, encouraging the teachers to stick to the doctrine, to hold some words to the truth, the commandment, what has been committed to one's trust, and to stay in the faith. And so, it is very interesting our Paul is emphasizing this point quite strongly in this epistle to Timothy. Let's continue now in verse 4, because it's saying that if they teach otherwise, in verse 3, if they teach otherwise and not following wholesome words, and following the doctrine which accords to godliness, then in verse 4 he says, that person is proud, knowing nothing, he says, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments about words from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of man, of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain from such, withdraw yourself. So, he is being quite strong.

One could say, well, Paul is being judgmental, he's not, but he's not bashful with his words. He says these people argue about different things. They are argued, they obsessed with disputes and arguments over words. We encounter them today. People are arguing about the calendar, arguing about the timing of Barsova, arguing about Pentecost, and other different things that cause the vision, or that there are not sound things to build unity and trust. And so, it is quite strong, yeah, of Paul to say, these people that do this, they are proud and knowing nothing and obsessed with disputes and arguments over words. They're proud, they're vain, they have useless wrangling. There's a constant friction, a quarreling back and forth. And then he says, the sutut of the truth will suppose that godliness is a means of gain. You see, so he's basically saying that they have a wrong concept of what it is to be a godly person. So, it is, Paul is very strong, yeah, no questions about it. Then in verse 6, he says, now godliness with contentment is great gain. And so, yes, they are thinking that godliness or the practice of religion is a way of making money, of of gaining physical assets, which is the wrong attitude. But now he says true godliness with contentment is a great gain. That is just the true wealth, a mind that is contented with what god has given us. And so, it's not a way to make money. Religion is not a way to make money or to be at reach. Religion is a way to serve others, to show by example. And when we content, we do that with joy and happiness. That then is the true gain. That is a true gain. Verse 7, and then he says, for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry out nothing.

You know, we are not taking it with us when we die. We're gonna leave it behind. And so, we can carry nothing out, as it says. Verse 8, and having food and clothing with these, we shall be content. The word clothing in this expression here can also mean shelter. In other words, having food and shelter. We are safe. We've got clothing. We are warm. We have harm. So, having these basic human needs, as it says, with these, we shall be content. In other words, not desiring to be greedy over physical things. And so, he's really talking about false leaders that were greedy of money, and they thought that preaching, let's say, Christ, some people have what they call the gospel of wealth, and they were thinking, well, this is a way of making money. That is not what Paul is saying here. What Paul is saying is garliness with content, with what do we have? As elsewhere, Paul says, in whatever state I am, I'm content. It is great gain. And so, what Paul is talking about here, as we go on, we say, having food and clothing with these will be content. So, if we have the basic needs, we content. Then he goes on to verse 9, but those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and harmful lusts, which drown man in destruction and perdition. And this is interesting because if we are reading this in the context of false teachers, that is quite frightful when we say that these people desire to be rich. Their goal, their determination, their determination is to be rich. They make the acquisition of goods. They're driving ambition in life.

That's what motivates them, making more money. That's what drives them.

What? And that obviously is applicable to false teachers or to any other person that has that as a goal, as a driving ambition in life. And so, what we should be doing, what God expects from us, is working hard. Maybe we start a business. Maybe through that, working hard. Maybe you reach a certain degree of wealth. There's nothing wrong with that. What he's talking about is when people have this desire to be rich, that is their driving ambition and motivation. We know, for instance, in the Bible, there are a number of biblical leaders that were quite wealthy. For instance, you look at the story of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They were very wealthy. Look at the story of Joseph as well. Look at Job. Look at King David and Solomon and others. So what Paul is talking about, Yah, is the sole demeanor, the sole purpose of a person which is simply to become rich. We should, as we read in Matthew 6 verse 33, seek you the kingdom first, and all these things shall be added to you. Seek the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. That's what we should be striving for. And then God will add all the other things. God will add everything else. And so in verse 10 says, and this explains because it's not money, but it is the love of money. This is for the love of money is a root. It's not saying the only root, but it is one big important root of all kinds of evil. And so literally in Greek is the love of silver, which basically implies a degree of covetous, being coveting for things. But it is a, as it says here, a root of all kinds of evils, of evil. How many people have been murdered, kidnapped, stolen, robbed, cheated for money or for ransom? You see all kind of evil things, because those people simply wanted more money. And so the godly way to have money is through hard work, diligence, application to God's law, using our God-given talents and abilities.

But the real problem is when the love of money is the driving force. That is what Paul is emphasizing out to Timothy. And then he says, for which some have strayed from the faith. They've strayed from the faith. The problem here is that some, because of this love of money, because of this greed, have left the church over or because of greed.

Also, there's a little thing here in brackets that I want to emphasize. I have heard sometimes people say, well, if I didn't have to tithe, I could have had this or could have had that, whatever it is. You know, what we need to realize is that if we didn't tithe, we may not have had anything. We may have been in far worse conditions, because God blesses for those that are cheerful givers and also that obey His tithing commandments. As we read in Malachi, he says, test me, test me.

And so we see that with this verse 10, as we get now onto verse 11, with this verse 10, Paul has now completed this second major section of his epistle.

The second section was from chapter 2 verse 1 through to chapter 6 verse 10. In this section, Paul is realizing that false teachers had wrecked havoc on the Ephesian church in many areas.

From chapter 2, 1 through 7, we can see that they had destroyed the proper worship in church, in a group area, not talking about private worship, but in church.

For instance, in chapter 6, verse 3 to 10, we can see they had taken money from the church's account.

In chapter 5, verses 11 through 15, they had influenced some woman in the church, particularly the unmarried and the young widows.

And by also looking at the example of chapter 3, 1 through 13, the church was in a serious need of new leadership or leadership that adhered to very important leadership principles. So we emphasize those things. So what are the three major sections? Because, as I mentioned, Paul completed the second major section. Well, the three major sections were first from the major areas, the major areas of this section. It was the conduct during services, as I mentioned, the worship and leadership. It was also the danger that Paul instructed Timothy about guarding the truth of the faith in light of apostasy, as we see in chapter 4, 1 through 16. And then we also see the need to develop postural skills in addressing certain groups. And that is from chapter 5, for when it started with widows, but all the way until chapter 6 verse 10.

And so now Paul is completing this epistle from verse 21, a big apart from verse 11 to verse 21, with personal instructions to Timothy. So now he gives some personal instructions to Timothy. And let's read now, verse 11. But you, a man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness.

What do we have to pursue? Righteousness. Seek you the kingdom of God first, and is righteousness. Pursue godliness, pursue faith, godly love, patience, gentleness, or meekness. And so these are the main things that we need to pursue as members in the church and as leaders in the church. Because understand, this letter to Timothy, even though it was addressed to Timothy, was also to be read in the congregation. The reason I say that is because right at the end of this epistle in verse 21, verse Timothy 6 verse 21, he says, grace be with you. Amen. And the you there is plural. So it's not just to Timothy, but it was to you, to those that would read or would have the letter being read to them. And so Paul is saying, seek these things. Seek righteousness, godly righteousness. Seek godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. See, talking about righteousness, when he says seek righteousness, we've got to be careful that we're not seeking self-righteousness. We've got to seek God's righteousness. That's why it says in Matthew 6 33, as I mentioned a little while ago, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. That is God's righteousness. And the kingdom of God is, let's call it, the aim. And God's righteousness is like saying the how to, the how to get to that aim. Seek godliness, to be more like God, to be committed and faithfully doing our responsibilities a godly way. Absolute faith and trust in God. Absolutely agape love, patience, perseverance, and gentleness or meekness, which is teachable, teachableness. And so then he continues in verse 12, fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold unto eternal life, to which you were also called, and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Fight the faith, fight the faith. In other words, stick to the truth that was once delivered. And this is a continuous theme in this letter to Timothy. Don't allow false teachers to bring deviations from the truth. Stick to the truth that we have been taught. And then he says, hold on to eternal life.

We are to hold on to this promise of eternal life. It says, to which you are called, we all are called, to eternal life, to have eternal life. We receive God's Holy Spirit, the down payment of the guarantee of eternal life. Only God gives us eternal life, and you and I have it within our grasp. In other words, seek and hold on to that promise of immortality. We don't have it yet, but it is a promise that we will be changed from mortal to immortal, from corruptible to incorruptible. And then it says, for which, to which you are called, so we called to be in God's kingdom, to have eternal life, to be sons and daughters of God. And we have confessed, we have repented, we have gone through this process of faith, believing and repenting, so that we were baptized and we made that commitment, we made that confession to God, not to other human beings, we made that confession to God, and we repented. And so hold on to that. We have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Yes, in the presence of many witnesses from the point of view, that when we baptized, we are, we have a number of witnesses. And also, we have witnesses that we are in the church, that we made that commitment, that we renew that commitment every year at Passover. We are confessing that every year in front of many witnesses. And so that's what our goal is. Our goal is not material gain with billions of dollars, but our goal is God's righteousness and godliness and faith and love, patience and gentleness. So that, that's our goal. That's what we're going to strive for.

Be apart. Verse 13. I urge you in the sight of God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate. And so I urge you, I'm encouraging you. It's like saying I'm pleading with you in the sight of God, and it is God who gives us life. Who gives us life.

I'll be important. It is God that gives us eternal life, and we have received the down payment of that, the guarantee of that eternal life, which is God's Holy Spirit, and we're all onto it. We've got to use God's Holy Spirit in our lives, and as we use it, we become more and we grow, and we're becoming more and more like God, and we are maturing. We are persevering. We are persevering, but we gotta understand that it is God who gives us life.

In the Greek, the word gives us life means that He preserves things alive. So it is God that does that. Verse 14, that you keep this commandment without spot blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ appearing. We gotta keep this instruction. And this instruction is, you know, flee those things, pursue righteousness, fight the good fight, and as He says, I urge you in the sight of God before Christ to keep this commandment, to just keep going, keep on keeping on. It is so important now because we live in such difficult times that it's so easy for us to get distracted and deviate from the God. We gotta really focus and keep this commandment without spot blameless until Christ's coming. When Christ comes, we will be, obviously then, God willing, called, chosen, and faithful. Faithful because we kept this until He is appearing.

Until He is appearing. Verse 15, for which He will manifest in His own time. Or, by which He will manifest in His own time. In other words, Christ's appearing, He will appear at His own time. There'll be an appropriate time when Jesus Christ will return to this earth.

Not a little earlier, not a little later, at the right time. And God knows what that time is. No man knows a day or the hour, but the Father. And that means Christ will come at the right time. Just like Christ came at His first coming at a specific time.

And so also, at a specific time, Christ will come back in the future. And then He says, continue reading verse 15, He says He will manifest in His own time. He, who is the Blessed, who is the Blessed, and not only potentate the King of kings and Lord of lords. That Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords, as we read in Revelation 19.

He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Who alone has immortality, dwelling in an unapproachable light, whom no man has seen, nor can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. And so, there is sometimes, amongst a number of commentators, a little dispute about who is talking about you. But the word for immortality is the Greek word Athenasia, Greek 110. And so, the question that some people say, who alone has immortality? Is it the Father, or is it Jesus Christ? What was He talking about? Now, obviously, which one is it? Obviously, the Father has immortality, but could He be talking about Jesus Christ? Now, it's interesting that this word, Athenasia, Greek 110, is only used three times in the New Testament. And twice is used in 1 Corinthians 15, verse 53, once, and 54, another time. So twice is used in that section. And the only other time that is used is in this 1st Timothy, chapter 6, verse 15. So, let's look very briefly at 1 Corinthians 15, verse 53 and 54. 1 Corinthians 15, verse 53, verse and 54. And 53 says, for this corruptible must put on in corruption. So, it's talking about you and I.

And if you read in context, verse 52 says that we all, 51 and 52, says, we shall be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump. So, the last trump, symbolized by the day of trumpets, and it says the trump will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed. And now back to verse 53. For this corruptible must put on in corruption and this mortal must put on immortality, afanasia.

And so, when you and I are resurrected to spirit beings at the last trump, we will then have immortality. We do not have it today. Of course not. And then look at verse 54. So, when this corruptible has put on in corruption and when this mortal has put on immortality, afanasia, if we are alive at that time, we will be changed from corruptible to incorruptible and from mortal to immortality.

At that time, we will have immortality. Now, the question is, has Christ gone through that stage? Of course, as we read a little bit earlier, he says, for instance, in 1 Corinthians 15 verse 23, each one in his own order, Christ the first fruit afterward those that are Christ's at his coming. And so, we will be made alive at Christ's coming, at the last trump, or the last trumpet, which is symbolized by the day of trumpets. But Christ has already been changed from mortal to immortality.

So, this Greek word, afanasia, is used in this context as a change from mortal to immortal. In other words, in this context, in this case, is that the immortality that is identified in a glorified body that was physical previously but was changed and is now immortal. And only Christ today has gone through that stage, from a physical body to a spiritual body. So, there is a strong argument in my point of view that it's actually talking about that Christ, yeah, in 1st Timothy chapter 6 verse 16, is the only one that was a human being that has gone through this change and is the only one that is now immortal.

Of course, the father is immortal and we believe godly angels at least are immortal. So, it's specifically, I believe, in this context, talking about Christ. If I'm wrong, I'm ready to to be corrected. But in this context, this is what I understand. And so, and Christ is now dwelling in an unapproachable light whom no man has seen or can see. You and I cannot see Christ in his glorified state. We can't. And remember, when Paul wrote this to Timothy was about 65 A.D., which is about 34-35 years after Christ's resurrection. So, Christ was definitely already immortal in this state, having gone from mortal to from mortality to immortality as a human being.

And he was only one of all human beings that has gone through this. Now, it's also important to note that this word Afanasia, it expresses more than just deaflessness. It also suggests the quality of life enjoyed as it is evident from 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 verse 4. Let's just look at 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 verse 4.

And here we read, for we are in the stand, we who are in the stand, ground, being burdened not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, in other words, clothed with immortality, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. And so our mortality, as believers, our mortal bodies are going to be swallowed up by life, by immortality, but it's also implying a quality of life to be enjoyed.

And so only Christ, obviously, he had this. He came as a human being, he's the only human being that has gone through this stage. So the other point that is interesting is that it says that we can't look at Christ in his glorified state at the moment.

This is supported by looking at 1st John chapter 3. In 1st John chapter 3 and verse 2. 1st John chapter 3 verse 2. We see, beloved, now we are the children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be.

But we know that when Christ is revealed, that's his that Christ's coming, when we're resurrected, we at the last trump, we shall be like him. We will be like Christ, immortal, and we shall see him as he is. We will see him as he is. And so today, you and I cannot see Christ as he is, but when we are like him in the same kind of spirit beings with immortality, we'll be able to see him in his glorified state. Now we'll get through we get through to verses 17 through 19. And verse 17 through 19 is that Paul, as he is finishing the letter, he addresses those that are wealthy and godly. And it is as if he's re-emphasizing again, in case people would misunderstand about wealth, he explains again that wealth in itself is not evil. He is basically saying it's the love of money that is evil. In other words, therefore, don't trust in riches. Let's read verse 17. Command those that who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in certain riches, but in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy. We've got to put our trust in God. If we, it says, yeah, we who are rich, those that are wealthy and also we are godly, we got to make sure that we don't put trust in those physical things that we always trust in the living God. And then it continues, yeah, in verse 18. Let them do good, that they may be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. And so those that are wealthy and godly, those that have the capability to give to others, let them be rich in good deeds, in giving. Now we know from reading other scriptures that one of the spiritual gifts is the gift of giving. And so those people have a capability to give. So let them be rich in giving. That's why it says, let them do good works or be rich in good works. And verse 19, therefore storing up for themselves a good foundation. It was a good stability for the time to come, a good foundation for the time to come, that they may hold on eternal life. So that would be for them, would give them a good stability, a good foundation in this way, because they are giving, they're using their wealth, and they're producing good works with it to serve others. Now in verse 20 and 21, as he closes this epistle, O Timothy, guard what was committed to your trust. What is committed to a minister's trust?

What is a pastoral responsibility? It's the truth. It's the gospel once given to the saints. Guard that that was committed to your trust. Don't deviate from it. Don't allow deviation from it. Avoiding profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge. In the Greek, it's got the definite article, the, and so he says, and what is the falsely called knowledge? That could be Gnosticism, could be some sort of intellectualism. You know, brethren, I've got a grathia that I want to share with you briefly, a little chartia, and this chartia shows what are called degrees of authority.

And when we have direct biblical affirmations or direct biblical implications, those are statements that are very clear in the Bible about specific things, and it's like saying that's where we get clear straightforward exegesis. But when we get to the two levels up, where they say probable implications from the Bible, or we induce conclusions from the Bible, then that is more like isogeses, that we are starting to maybe putting our own ideas into the Bible. And then you get further apia, where you have conclusions inferred or speculation. And basically these top layers, the biblical authority is very limited if not zero, whilst when we have direct biblical statements, the degree of authority is very high. Now, the problem is when we get to this level of inducing ideas, or injecting ideas, or injecting conclusions based on readings on the Bible, we've got to be careful. We've got to be careful, because if we have possibilities, like for instance I mentioned about 1 Timothy 6 verse 16, those possibilities fall within these areas because it falls within other direct biblical statements. And so even though I said, well, it's what I conclude, but I could be wrong, I have a certain degree of confidence because they fall within these foundational things that we can get from other verses. But if we have human reasoning which is outside of this, if we inject things apart from what God says, then we could then be endangering ourselves by going into down the slope of producing or reaching incorrect outcomes in the knowledge that or in understanding that we have. So we've got to be very careful that we stick to the truth, that we guard what was committed to our trust and stick within the direct biblical affirmations or direct biblical implications. This is basically generically speaking where the fundamental beliefs of the United Church of God fall in. They fall, generally speaking, most of them fall, if not all of them, into this area. And so that's what we've got to be careful to guard. That's where we're going to be very careful to guard. So yeah, in verse 20 when he says, Timothy, God was committed to your trust. Avoid profane and idle babblings. Avoid human reasoning apart from God. In other words, and because some professing those ideas or those human reasoning or those arguments or whatever it is or those contradictions, some have strayed from the faith. In other words, they missed the target. And therefore, Paul now concludes, grace. It was God's peace and grace and God's loving-kindness. Be with you. And again, as I mentioned a little bit earlier, the word you in this verse is in the plural. And therefore, it's not just to Timothy, but to all of us.