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 is the only one who cannot die. He lives in light that no one can come near. No one has seen him, nor can they see him. Honor and power belong to him forever! Amen. 17Tell those who have the riches of this world not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, they should place their confidence in God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. Tell them to do good, to do a lot of good things, to be generous, and to share. 19By doing this they store up a treasure for themselves which is a good foundation for the future. In this way they take hold of what life really is. 20Timothy, guard the Good News which has been entrusted to you. Turn away from pointless discussions and the claims of false knowledge that people use to oppose ⌞the Christian faith⌟.

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 24:16He was buried in the City of David with the kings because of the good he had done in Israel for God and the temple.
• Psalms 37:3Trust the Lord, and do good things. Live in the land, and practice being faithful.
• Ecclesiastes 3:12I realize that there’s nothing better for them to do than to be cheerful and enjoy what is good in their lives.
• Luke 6:33If you help those who help you, do you deserve any thanks for that? Sinners do that too.
• Acts 10:38You know that God anointed Jesus from Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Jesus went everywhere and did good things, such as healing everyone who was under the devil’s power. Jesus did these things because God was with him.
• Galatians 6:10Whenever we have the opportunity, we have to do what is good for everyone, especially for the family of believers.
• Hebrews 13:16Don’t forget to do good things for others and to share what you have with them. These are the kinds of sacrifices that please God.
• 1 Peter 3:11They must turn away from evil and do good. They must seek peace and pursue it.
• 3 John 1:11Dear friend, never imitate evil, but imitate good. The person who does good is from God. The person who does evil has never seen God.
• 1 Timothy 5:10People should tell about the good things she has done: raising children, being hospitable, taking care of believers’ needs, helping the suffering, or always doing good things.
• Luke 12:21That’s how it is when a person has material riches but is not rich in his relationship with God.”
• Acts 9:36A disciple named Tabitha lived in the city of Joppa. Her Greek name was Dorcas. She always helped people and gave things to the poor.
• James 2:5Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! Didn’t God choose poor people in the world to become rich in faith and to receive the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?
• Deuteronomy 15:7This is what you must do whenever there are poor Israelites in one of your cities in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
• Psalms 112:9He gives freely to poor people. His righteousness continues forever. His head is raised in honor.
• Proverbs 11:24One person spends freely and yet grows richer, while another holds back what he owes and yet grows poorer.

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