1 Timothy 6:18

that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share;

World English Bible
Learn

Your notes

Private to you. Anything you write on this verse, here or while reading, shows up here and in My study.

Other translations

WEBBE

that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share;

BSB

Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,

KJV

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

ASV

that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

BBE

And to do good, having wealth in good works, being quick to give, taking part with one another;

Original Greek

Look up a word

Tap a word to see what it means and everywhere else it's used.

The early church

"That they do good," he says, "that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute willing to communicate." The first phrase refers to wealth, the second to charity. For to be willing to communicate, implies that they are sociable and kind.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Timothy
Those who have given liberally of their riches have had great gains to compensate them for light losses. Their joy at what they assured for themselves more securely by readiness to give outweighed their sadness at the surrender of possessions they more easily lost because they clung to them fearfully. Reluctance to remove their goods from this world exposed them to the risk of loss. There were those who accepted the Lord's advice: "Do not store your treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. Pile up treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Such people proved in the time of tribulation how wise they were in not despising the finest of advisers and the most faithful and unconquerable guardian of treasure.
Augustine of Hippo · d. 430City of God

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 17–21

Being rich in this world is wholly different from being rich towards God. Nothing is more uncertain than worldly wealth. Those who are rich, must see that God gives them their riches; and he only can give to enjoy them richly; for many have riches, but enjoy them poorly, not having a heart to use them. What is the best estate worth, more than as it gives opportunity of doing the more good? Showing faith in Christ by fruits of love, let us lay hold on eternal life, when the self-indulgent, covetous, and ungodly around, lift up their eyes in torment. That learning which opposes the truth of the gospel, is not true science, or real knowledge, or it would approve the gospel, and consent to it. Those who advance reason above faith, are in danger of leaving faith. Grace includes all that is good, and grace is an earnest, a beginning of glory; wherever God gives grace, he will give glory.

Read Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 6 →

Cross-references

35

Topics

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.