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 can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen. 17Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 19By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. 20Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-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 24:16He was buried among the kings in the City of David, because he had done so much good in Israel for God and his Temple.
• Psalms 37:3Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
• Ecclesiastes 3:12So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can.
• Luke 6:33And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much!
• Acts 10:38And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
• Galatians 6:10Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
• Hebrews 13:16And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.
• 1 Peter 3:11Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
• 3 John 1:11Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.
• 1 Timothy 5:10She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly? Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good?
• Luke 12:21“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
• Acts 9:36There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor.
• James 2:5Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?
• Deuteronomy 15:7“But if there are any poor Israelites in your towns when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them.
• Psalms 112:9They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.
• Proverbs 11:24Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.

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