1 Timothy 6:18

1 Timothy 6:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
• New International Version (NIV)Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
• English Standard Version (ESV)They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
• New King James Version (NKJV)Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,

Context of 1 Timothy 6:18

16He alone possesses immortality [absolute exemption from death] and lives in unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal power and dominion! Amen. 17As for the rich in this present world, instruct them not to be conceited and arrogant, nor to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share [with others]. 19In this way storing up for themselves the enduring riches of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 20O Timothy, guard and keep safe the deposit [of godly truth] entrusted to you, turn away from worldly and godless chatter [with its profane, empty words], and the contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge”—

1 Timothy 6:18 word by word

ἀγαθοεργεῖν, πλουτεῖν ἐν ἔργοις καλοῖς, εὐμεταδότους εἶναι, κοινωνικούς,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·εἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• That they do goodἀγαθοεργέωagathoergeō · to do goodG14
• that they be richπλουτέωplouteō · be richG4147
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• goodκαλόςkalos · goodG2570
• worksἔργονergon · workG2041
• ready to distributeεὐμετάδοτοςeumetadotos · generousG2130
• willing to communicateκοινωνικόςkoinōnikos · generousG2843

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 6:18

• 2 Chronicles 24:16They buried him in the City of David among the kings, because he had done good [things] in Israel and toward God and His house.
• Psalms 37:3Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness.
• Ecclesiastes 3:12I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good as long as they live;
• Luke 6:33If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
• Acts 10:38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with great power; and He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.
• Galatians 6:10So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).
• Hebrews 13:16Do not neglect to do good, to contribute [to the needy of the church as an expression of fellowship], for such sacrifices are always pleasing to God.
• 1 Peter 3:11He must turn away from wickedness and do what is right. He must search for peace [with God, with self, with others] and pursue it eagerly [actively—not merely desiring it].
• 3 John 1:11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all].
• 1 Timothy 5:10and has a reputation for good deeds; [she is eligible] if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the feet of the saints (God’s people), if she has assisted the distressed, and has devoted herself to doing good in every way.
• Luke 12:21So it is for the one who continues to store up and hoard possessions for himself, and is not rich [in his relationship] toward God.”
• Acts 9:36Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, (which translated into Greek means Dorcas). She was rich in acts of kindness and charity which she continually did.
• James 2:5Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters: has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and [as believers to be] heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
• Deuteronomy 15:7“If there is a poor man among you, one of your fellow Israelites, in any of your cities in the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not be heartless, nor close-fisted with your poor brother;
• Psalms 112:9He has given freely to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted in honor.
• Proverbs 11:24There is the one who [generously] scatters [abroad], and yet increases all the more; And there is the one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want and poverty.

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 6:18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18That 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 - · 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…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18That 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-21Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17-18for us to enjoy: Christian hope encourages us to manage resources responsibly (Genesis 1:28–30; 2:15). We should use our resources for enjoyment and to share Christ’s love with others (see 1 Timothy 4:3–5; Psalm 145:16; Acts 14:17; see Luke 12:16–34; 2 Corinthians 8:1–9:15).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. do good--like God Himself (Psa 119:68; Ac 14:17) and Christ (Ac 10:38). Tittmann translates, "to do," or "act well"; as the Greek for "to be beneficent" is a distinct word, agathopoiein. rich in good works--so "rich in faith," which produces good works (Jas 2:5). Contrasted with "rich in this world," 1Ti 6:17. Literally, it is "rich in honorable (right) works." Greek, "kalois," "ergois," are works good or right in themselves: "agathois," good to…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Timothy 6:18

• Alms
• Beneficence
• Commandments
• Liberality
• Minister, Christian
• Obedience
• Rich, the
• Riches
• Works

In the dictionaries

• Babbling
• Confession
• Consent
• Content
• Contentment
• Covet
• Foolish
• Pierce
• Root
• Trust

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings