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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - 1 Timothy 6:17 - 6:19
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1Ti_6:17-19
17Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
1Ti_6:17-19 One wonders if 1Ti_6:17-19 were an after-thought or if Paul received more information about the house churches in Ephesus. It is also possible that Paul wrote 1Ti_6:17-21 himself, as he regularly closed his letters (cf. 2Th_3:17-18).
1Ti_6:17 "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited" As 1Ti_6:9 warns about an evil desire for money, 1Ti_6:17 warns those who have money against putting their faith in it and not in Christ (cf. Mat_6:19-21; Mat_13:22; Mat_19:23-30; Jas_1:9-11; Jas_5:1-6).
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▣ "or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches" This is a perfect active infinitive. Humans tend to trust in their resources, not God's resources (cf. 1Ti_4:10; 1Ti_5:5). Some of Jesus' strongest words were directed at the wealthy (cf. Luk_18:18-30).
▣ "but in God" There are several variants.
1. on God – à , F, G
2. on (the) God – MSS A, I, P
3. on God living – MS D*
4. on (the) God (the) living – MS D2
The UBS4 gives option #1 an "A" rating. The descriptive form is taken from 1Ti_4:10.
1Ti_6:18 "Instruct them" Here are Paul's threefold guidelines for those who have worldly goods.
1. continue doing good (cf. 1Ti_5:10; 2Ti_2:21; 2Ti_3:17; Tit_3:1; Tit_3:8; Tit_3:14)
2. be ready to share
3. be generous (cf. 2 Corinthians 8-9)
1Ti_6:19 This verse reminds one of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, especially chapter 6 (cf. Luk_12:15). It uses two metaphors: (1) storing up true riches and (2) building a sure and strong foundation. The wise use of wealth does both! By them believers take hold of true life (i.e., eternal life, cf. 1Ti_6:12).
NASB "life indeed"
NKJV "eternal life"
NRSV "the life that really is life"
TEV "the life which is true life"
NJB "the only like that is real"
The variety of the English translations involves the choice of
1. ontôs – MSS à , A, D*, F, G
2. aiôniou – MS D2
3. both – minuscules 69, 296, 467, and 1175 (these copyists must have had Greek manuscripts that had both options)
The UBS4 gives option #1 and "A" rating.