1 Timothy 6:18

18 That they do good , that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute * , willing to communicate;

1 Timothy 6:18 Meaning and 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, to do every good work in general, and to do acts of beneficence in particular, both to all men, and to the household of faith.

That they be rich in good works;
or abound in the performance of them, as Dorcas is said to be full of good works and alms deeds; and to reckon that their true riches lie more in the exercise of grace, and in the fruits of it, doing good works, than in their worldly enjoyments. The phrase seems to be Rabbinical. Frequent mention is made of (hrwtb ryve) , "rich in the law", and (twumb ryve) , "rich in the commandments" ^F20; and it is said ^F21, no man is poor but he that is without the law, and good works, for the riches of a man are the law, and good works.

Ready to distribute;
unasked; and when they are asked, do not turn away, and put off, but give at once, and without grief, and with cheerfulness; want no arguments to press them to it, nor use any against it.

Willing to communicate;
of their good things to the necessities of the poor, making them common to them, and them partakers of them. Some render the word "sociable", in opposition to that moroseness, stillness, and those haughty and forbidding airs, with which rich men are apt to treat the poor, when they should be affable and courteous to them, and admit them to a free conversation with them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 Zohar in Numb. fol. 91. 3. Vajikra Rabba, sect. 34. fol. 173. 4. & Tzeror Hammaor, fol. 15. 2.
F21 Raya Mehimna in Exod. fol 48. 3. Vid. T. Bab. Megilia, fol. 11. 1.

1 Timothy 6:18 In-Context

16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen , nor can see : to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded , nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

18 That they do good , that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute , willing to communicate;

19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come , that they may lay hold on eternal life.

20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: