1 Timothy 6:18 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 6:13-21

The apostle here charges Timothy to keep this commandment (that is, the whole work of his ministry, all the trust reposed in him, all the service expected from him) without spot, unrebukable; he must conduct himself so in his ministry that he might not lay himself open to any blame nor incur any blemish. What are the motives to move him to this? I. He gives him a solemn charge: I give thee charge in the sight of God that thou do this. He charges him as he will answer it at the great day to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 6:17-19

6:17-19 Charge those who are rich in this world's goods not to be proud, and not set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God who gives them all things richly to enjoy. Charge them to do good; to find their wealth in noble deeds; to be ready to share all that they have; to be men who never forget that they are members of a fellowship; to lay up for themselves the treasure of a fine foundation for the world to come. that they may lay hold on real life. Sometimes we think of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 6:18

That they do good ,.... Rich men sometimes do much ill to themselves, to the hurt of their bodies, by luxury, intemperance, and debauchery, and to their souls, to the ruin of them; and to others by fraud, oppression, and violence; for it is in the power of their hands to do much evil, and also to do much good, as they should; and much is required of them, since much is given them to do good with, and for which they are accountable: it becomes them, and especially such as believe in Christ,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 6:18

That they do good - That they relieve the wants of their fellow creatures, according to the abundance which God has given them. The highest luxury a human being can enjoy on this side of the grave. Rich in good works - That their good works may be as abundant as their riches. Ready to distribute - Ευμεταδοτους ειναι· That they give nothing through partiality or favor, but be guided in their distribution by the necessities of the objects presented to them; and that they confine not... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 6:18

Verse 18 18To do good He adds another remedy to the former, for correcting the sinful dispositions of rich men, by stating authoritatively what is the lawful use of riches; for the richer any man is, the more abundant are his means of doing good to others; and because we are always more tardy than we ought to be in giving to the poor, he employs many words in commendation of that virtue. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 6:6-21

The contrast . There is no more effectual way of bringing out the peculiar beauties and excellences of any system or character than by contrasting with it the opposite system or character. Let us do this in regard to the two characters which are here brought before us, and the uses of money by them respectively. I. THE MONEY - LOVER . The love of money sits at the helm of his inner man. It is the spring of all his thoughts, desires, and actions. Observe what is his ruling... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 6:18

That they be ready for ready , A.V. Do good ( ἀγαθοεργεῖν ; here only, for the more common ἀγαθοποιεῖν ). That they be rich in good works ( 1 Timothy 5:10 , note); not merely in the perishing riches of this present world—the same sentiment as Matthew 6:19-21 ; Luke 12:33 and Luke 12:21 . Ready to distribute ( εὐμεταδότους ); here only in the New Testament, and rarely in later classical Greek. The opposite, "dose-handed," is δυσμετάδοτος The verb ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Timothy 6:18

That they do good - On the duty enjoined in this verse, see Galatians 6:10 note; Hebrews 13:10 note.That they be rich in good works - “That their good works may be as abundant as their riches.”Ready to distribute - To divide with others; compare Acts 4:34. The meaning is, that they should be liberal, or bountiful.Willing to communicate - Margin, or “sociable.” The translation in the text is a more correct rendering of the Greek. The idea is, that they should be willing to share their blessings... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Timothy 6:17-19

1 Timothy 6:17-19. What follows seems to be a kind of postscript. Charge them that are rich in this world Rich in such beggarly riches as this world affords. For the clause, εν τω νυν αιωνι , seems evidently to be added to extenuate the value of riches, which extend only to this transitory and precarious world, and cannot attend us into the other; nor, if they did, could at all influence our happiness there; that they be not high-minded That they do not think better of themselves on... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 6:17-21

The wealthy (6:17-21)One danger with wealth is that when people have financial independence, they may not trust God as they should. Instead of hoarding their riches, they should use them to help others. In this way they will be investing in something far more lasting than earthly wealth. They will be building a life far more enduring than earthly life (17-19).Paul brings his letter to a close by reminding Timothy of two of its chief points. First, Timothy must preserve and pass on the true... read more