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1 Timothy 6:18

1 Timothy 6:18 in Multiple Translations

Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,

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

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

And to do good, having wealth in good works, being quick to give, taking part with one another;

Tell them to do good, and to become rich in doing good things, ready to share what they have, and to be generous.

That they doe good, and be riche in good woorkes, and readie to distribute, and comunicate,

to do good, to be rich in good works, to be ready to impart, willing to communicate,

that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share;

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

To do good, to be rich in good works, to give easily, to communicate to others,

Also, tell them that their good deeds must be as plentiful as their money. Specifically, they should share very generously with others what they have.

So tell them to use their money to do good things for other people. Tell them to be ready to give it to people that need it.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Timothy 6:18

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1 Timothy 6:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK αγαθοεργειν πλουτειν εν εργοις καλοις ευμεταδοτους ειναι κοινωνικους
αγαθοεργειν agathoergeō G14 to do good Verb-PAN
πλουτειν plouteō G4147 be rich Verb-PAN
εν en G1722 in/on/among Prep
εργοις ergon G2041 work Noun-DPN
καλοις kalos G2570 Fair (Havens) Adj-DPN
ευμεταδοτους eumetadotos G2130 generous Adj-APM
ειναι eimi G1510 to be Verb-PAN
κοινωνικους koinōnikos G2843 generous Adj-APM
Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Timothy 6:18

αγαθοεργειν agathoergeō G14 "to do good" Verb-PAN
This word means to do good or show kindness, like in 1 Timothy 6:18 where it encourages doing good to others. It involves working for the benefit of others. This concept is about helping people in need.
Definition: ἀγαθοεργέω, -ῶ, to do good, show kindness: 1 Ti 6:18 (Cremer, 8).† ἀγαθουργέω, -ῶ, contracted form (rare, see WH, App., 145) of ἀγαθοερ- (which see), to do good: Act.14:17.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: do good See also: 1 Timothy 6:18.
πλουτειν plouteō G4147 "be rich" Verb-PAN
To be rich or wealthy is what this word means, like in Luke 1:53 where it talks about becoming rich. It can also mean being rich in faith, as in 1 Timothy 6:18, or having a lot of spiritual wealth.
Definition: πλουτέω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for עָשַׁר hi. ;] to be rich, aor., to become rich: Luk.1:53, 1Ti.6:9; before ἀπό (Sir.11:18), Rev.18:15; ἐκ, Rev.18:3, 19; ἐν (= cl., with genitive, dative, accusative, cf. πλούσιος), 1Ti.6:18. Metaphorical, π. εἰς θεόν, Luk.12:21; of God, εἰς πάντας, Rom.10:12; aor., I became rich, 1Co.4:8, 2Co.8:9, Rev.3:18; pf., I have become rich, Rev.3:17.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 12 NT verses. KJV: be increased with goods, (be made, wax) rich See also: 1 Corinthians 4:8; Revelation 3:17; Revelation 3:18.
εν en G1722 "in/on/among" Prep
This word is a preposition that means in, on, or among something. It's used in many places, like Matthew 7:3 and Luke 7:37, to describe a location or relationship. It can also mean by, with, or during.
Definition: ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). __I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; after verbs of motion, instead of εἰς (constructio praegnans, a usage extended in late Gk. beyond the limits observed in cl.; cf. Bl., §41, 1; M, Th., 12), ἀποστέλλω . . . ἐν, Mat.10:16. δέδωκεν ἐν τ. χειρί (cf. τιθέναι ἐν χερσί, Hom., Il., i, 441, al.), Jhn.3:35; id. after verbs of coming and going (not in cl.), εἰσῆλθε, Luk.9:46; ἐξῆλθεν, Luk.7:17. __II. Of state, condition, form, occupation, etc.: ἐν ζωῇ, Rom.5:10; ἐν τ. θανάτῳ, 1Jn.3:14; ἐν πειρασμοῖς, 1Pe.1:6; ἐν εἰρήνῃ, Mrk.5:25; ἐν δόξῃ, Php.4:19; ἐν πραΰτητι, Jas.3:13; ἐν μυστηρίῳ, 1Co.2:7; ἐν τ. διδαχῇ, Mrk.4:2; of a part as contained in a whole, ἐν τ. ἀμπέλῳ, Jhn.15:4; ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι, Rom.12:4; of accompanying objects or persons (simple dative in cl.), with, ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:25; ἐν δέκα χιλιάσιν, Luk.14:31 (cf. Ju 14, Act.7:14); similarly (cl.), of clothing, armour, arms, ἐν στολαῖς, Mrk.12:38; ἐν ἐσθῆτι λαμπρᾷ, Jas.2:2; ἐν μαξαίρῃ, Luk.22:49; ἐν ῥάβδῳ, 1Co.4:21 (cf. ἐν τόξοις, Xen., Mem., 3, 9, 2); of manner (cl.), ἐν τάχει (= ταχέως), Luk.18:8 (cf. Bl., §41, 1); of spiritual influence, ἐν πνεύματι, Rom.8:9; ἐν π. ἀκαθάρτῳ, Mrk.1:23; of the mystical relation of the Christian life and the believer himself, to God and Christ (cf. ICC, Ro., 160f.; Mayor on Ju 1; M, Pr., 103): ἐν Χριστῷ, Rom.3:24, 6:11, 1Co.3:1, 4:10, 2Co.12:2, Gal.2:17, Eph.6:21, Col.4:7, 1Th.4:16, al. __III. Of the agent, instrument or means (an extension of cl. ἐν of instr.—see LS, see word Ill—corresponding to similar use of Heb. בְּ), by, with: ἐν ὑμῖν κρίνεται ὁ κόσμος (= cl. παρά, C. dative), 1Co.6:2; ἐν τ. ἄρχοντι τ. δαιμονίων, Mat.9:34; ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:22; ἐν ὕδατι, Mat.3:11, al.; ἐν μαχαίρᾳ ἀποκτενεῖ (cf. the absol. ἐν μ., ἐν ῥάβδῳ, supr., II, which some would classify here), Rev.13:10 (cf. 6:8). Allied to this usage and distinctly Semitic are the following: ἠγόρασας . . . ἐν τ. αἵματι σου (cf. BDB, see word בְּ, III, 3), Rev.5:9; ὁμολογεῖν ἐν (= Aram. אודי בּ; cf. McNeile on Mt, I.with; M, Pr., 104), Mat.10:32, Luk.12:8; ὀμνύναι ἐν (= cl. accusative, so Jas.5:12), Mat.5:34, al.; also at the rate of, amounting to, Mrk.4:8 (WH; vv. ll., εἰς, ἒν), Act.7:14 (LXX). __IV. Of time, __(a) in or during a period: ἐν τ. ἡμέρᾳ (νυκτί), Jhn.11:9, al.; ἐν σαββάτῳ, Mat.12:2, al.; ἐν τῷ μεταξύ, meanwhile, Jhn.4:31; __(b) at the time of an event: ἐν τ. παρουσίᾳ, 1Co.15:23; ἐν τ. ἀναστάσει, Mat.22:28; __(with) with art. inf., __(α) present (so sometimes in cl., but not as in NT = ἕως; V. M, Pr., 215), while: Mat.13:4, Mrk.6:48, Gal.4:18, al.; __(β) aor., when, after: Luk.9:36, al.; __(d) within (cl.): Mat.27:40, __V. In composition: (1) meaning: (a) with adjectives, it signifies usually the possession of a quality, as ἐνάλιος, ἐν́δοξος; (b) with verbs, continuance in (before ἐν) or motion into (before εἰς), as ἐμμένω, ἐμβαίνω. (ii) Assimilation: ἐν becomes ἐμ- before β, μ, π, φ, ψ; ἐγ- before γ, κ, ξ, χ; ἐλ- before λ. But in the older MSS of NT, followed by modern editions, assimilation is sometimes neglected, as in ἐνγράφω, ἐγκαινίζω, etc. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2120 NT verses. KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 15:17; 1 Peter 1:2.
εργοις ergon G2041 "work" Noun-DPN
This term refers to work, toil, or occupation, and can also imply an act or deed. In the Bible, it is used to describe various tasks and activities, such as Jesus' work on earth and the deeds of Christians.
Definition: ἔργον, -ου, τό (originally Ϝέργον, work), [very frequently in LXX, chiefly for מַשֶׂה, מְלָאכָה, also for עֲבֹדָה, פֹּעַל, etc. ;] __1. work, task, employment: Mrk.13:34, Jhn.4:34 17:4, Act.13:2, Php.1:22 2:30, 1Th.5:13, al.; of an enterprise or undertaking (Deu.15:10, Wis.2:12), Act.5:38. __2. a deed, action: Tit.1:16, Jas.1:25 . listing, from λόγος, Luk.24:19, Rom.15:18, 2Th.2:17, 1Jn.3:18; ἐν λόγοις κ. ἔ., Act.7:22; of acts of God, Jhn.9:3, Act.13:41" (LXX), Heb.4:10, Rev.15:3; of Christ, Mat.11:2; esp. in Jo, e.g. 5:20, 36 7:3 10:38 14:11, 12 15:24; in ethical sense, of human actions (AR, Eph., 190), bad or good, Mat.23:3, Luk.11:48, Jhn.3:20, 21 Jas.2:14ff. 3:13, Rev.2:5 3:8; τὸ ἔ., collectively, Gal.6:4, Jas.1:4, 1Pe.1:17, Rev.22:12; τὸ ἔ. τ. νόμου, Rom.2:15; ἔ. ἀγαθόν, Rom.2:7, Col.1:10, 2Th.2:17, Tit.1:16, al.; καλόν, Mat.26:10, Mrk.14:6; pl. (as frequently in cl.), Mat.5:16, 1Ti.5:10, 25 Heb.10:24; ἔ. πίστεως, 1Th.1:3, 2Th.1:11; ἔ. πονηρά, Col.1:21, 2Jo.11; νέκρα, Heb.6:1 9:14; ἄκαρπα, Eph.5:11; ἔ. ἀσεβείας, Ju 15; τ. σκότους, Rom.13:12, Eph.5:11; ἔ. νόμου, Rom.3:20, 28 Gal.2:16 3:2, 5 10. __3. that which is wrought or made, a work: 1Co.3:13-15; τ. χειρῶν, Act.7:41; of the works of God, Heb.1:10; γῆ κ. τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ ἔ., 2Pe.3:10; τὸ ἔ. τ. θεοῦ, Rom.14:20. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 160 NT verses. KJV: deed, doing, labour, work See also: 1 Corinthians 3:13; John 3:20; 1 Peter 1:17.
καλοις kalos G2570 "Fair (Havens)" Adj-DPN
Something or someone that is kalos is fair, beautiful, or good, like the stones in Luke 21:5 or the fish in Matthew 13:48.
Definition: καλός, -ή, -όν, [in LXX chiefly for טוֹבָה ,טוֹב, also for יָפֶה, etc. ;] __1. primarily, of outward form ("related to . . . ἀγαθός as the appearance to the essence," Cremer, 339), fair, beautiful: λίθοι (BV, goodly), Luk.21:5. __2. In reference to use, of that which is well adapted to its ends, good, excellent: of fish, τ. καλά (opposite to σαπρά), Mat.13:48; σπέρμα, Mat.13:24, 27, 37, 38; καρπός, Mat.3:10 7:17-19 12:33, Luk.3:9 [WH] 6:43; δένδρον (opposite to σαρπόν), Mat.12:33, Luk.6:43; γῆ, Mat.13:8, 23 Mrk.4:8, 20 Luk.8:15; τ. ἅλας, Mrk.9:50, Luk.14:34; ὁ νόμος, Rom.7:16, 1Ti.1:8; διδασκαλία, 1Ti.4:6; καρδία κ. καὶ ἀγαθή, Luk.8:15; παραθήκη, 2Ti.1:14; μέτρον, Luk.6:38; βαθμός, 1Ti.3:13; θεμέλιος, 1Ti.6:19; τὸ κ., 1Th.5:21; μαργαρίται, Mat.13:45; οἶνος, Jhn.2:10; ποιμήν, Jhn.10:11, 14; διάκονος, 1Ti.4:6; οἰκονόμος, 1Pe.4:10; στρατιώτης, 2Ti.2:3; στρατεία, 1Ti.1:18; ἀγών, 1Ti.6:12, 2Ti.4:7; ὁμολογία, 1Ti.6:12, 13; ἔργον, Mat.26:10, Mrk.14:6, Jhn.10:33, 1Ti.3:1; pl., Jhn.10:32; καλόν, with inf. and dative, Mat.18:8, 9 1Co.7:1, 26 9:15; id. with accusative and inf., Mat.17:4, Mrk.9:5, 43, 45, 47, Luk.9:33, Heb.13:9; before εἰ, Mat.26:24, Mrk.9:42 14:21; ἐάν, 1Co.7:8. __3. Ethically, good, in the sense of right, fair, noble, honourable: Gal.4:18, Heb.5:14; ἔργα, Mat.5:16, 1Ti.5:10, 25 6:18, Tit.2:7, 14 3:8, 14 (Field, Notes, 223f.), Heb.10:24, 1Pe.2:12; ἀναστροφή, Jas.3:13, 1Pe.2:12; συνείδησις, Heb.13:18; before ἐνώπιον, Rom.12:17, 2Co.8:21, 1Ti.2:3; το] κ. ποιεῖν (κατεργάζεσθαι), Rom.7:18, 21 2Co.13:7, Gal.6:9, Jas.4:17; καλόν ἐστιν, with inf., Mat.15:26 (T, ἔξεστιν), Mrk.7:27, Rom.14:21, Gal.4:18; μαρτυρία, 1Ti.3:7; ὄνομα, Jas.2:7; καύχημα, 1Co.5:6 (neg.); θεοῦ ῥῆμα, Heb.6:5. κ. does not occur in Re.† SYN.: see: ἀγαθός. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 90 NT verses. KJV: X better, fair, good(-ly), honest, meet, well, worthy See also: 1 Corinthians 5:6; Luke 6:43; 1 Peter 2:12.
ευμεταδοτους eumetadotos G2130 "generous" Adj-APM
Generous means willing to give or share, as seen in 1 Timothy 6:18. It describes someone who is liberal or ready to impart their resources to others. The word is associated with being ready to distribute or share what one has.
Definition: εὐ-μετά-δοτος, -ον (εὖ, μεταδιδωμι), ready to impart: assoc. with κοινωνικός (for the distinction between the two, see Field, Notes, 213; CGT, in l), 1Ti.6:18.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: ready to distribute See also: 1 Timothy 6:18.
ειναι eimi G1510 "to be" Verb-PAN
To be or exist, a basic verb used to describe something or someone, like God saying 'I am' in John 8:58.
Definition: εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. __I. As substantive verb. __1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. __2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. __3. to be present, be in a place, have come: Mat.2:13, 15, Mrk.1:45, 5:21, 15:40, Luk.1:80, 5:29, Jhn.7:30, al.; before εἰς, Mrk.2:1; before ἐκ, (ἐξ), Mat.1:20, 21:25, Mrk.11:30, Jhn.3:31, al. __4. Impers., ἔστι, ἦν, etc.; __(a) there is (Fr. il y a), was, etc.: Mat.16:28, Luk.16:19, Jhn.3:1, 5:2, Rom.3:10, al.; with dative (of the possessor; Bl., §37, 3), Mat.16:22, Luk.1:7, Jhn.18.10, Rom.9:2, al.; ἔστιν ὅς, ὅστις (chiefly in pl), Mat.16:28, 19:2, Mrk.9:1, al.; __(b) with inf., = ἔξεστιν (which see), it is possible: Heb.9:5, 1Co.11:20, RV (but see ICC, in l.). __II. As copula uniting subject and predicate. __1. Expressing simply identity or equivalence: Mat.5:13, 14:15, Luk.1:18, 19, Jhn.1:1, 4:19, Rev.3:9, al. mult. __2. Explicative, as in parable, figure, type, etc.: Mat.13:19, 1Co.9:2, 10:4, 11:25, Gal.4:24, Rev.17:15, al.; ταῦτ᾽ ἔστιν, Mat.27:46, Mrk.7:2, Rom.7:18 al.; ὅ ἐστιν, Mrk.3:17, Col.1:24, Heb.7:2, al.; akin to this is the sacramental usage: Mat.26:26-28, Mrk.14:22, 24, Luk.22:19, 1Co.11:24 (see ICC on Mk, I Co, ll. with; DB, iii, 148 f.). __3. C. genitive: qual., etc., Mrk.5:42, Luk.3:23, 1Co.14:33, Heb.12:11, al.; part., 1Ti.1:20, 2Ti.1:15; poss., Mat.5:3, 10, Mrk.12:7, Luk.4:7; of service or partisanship, Rom.8:9, 1Co.1:12, 2Co.10:7, 2Ti.2:19. __4. C. dative (BL, §37, 3): Act.1:8, 9:15, Rom.4:12, 1Co.1:18, 2:14, Rev.21:7, al. __5. C. ptcp., as a periphrasis for the simple verb (Bl., §62, 1, 2; M, Pr., 225 ff.); __(a) with ptcp. pf. (cl.): Mat.10:30, Luk.9:32, Jhn.3:24, Act.21:35, 1Co.15:19, al; __(b) with ptcp. pr. (esp. in impf., as in Heb. and Aram.; Dalman, Words, 35 f.), Mat.7:29, Mrk.1:22, Luk.4:31, 14:1, Act.1:10, al. mult., id. for imper. (M, Pr., 180f., 182f.), with ellipsis of εἰμί, Rom.12:9, 10, Heb.13:5, al.; __(with) with ptcp. aor. (cl), Luk.23:9. __6. Seq. εἰς (cf. Heb. הָיָה לְ), a vernac. usage (M, Pr., 71): Mat.19:5, Mrk.10:8, Heb.8:10, al. __7. C. adv.: Mat.19:20, Mrk.4:26, Luk.18:11, al. __8. Ellipses; __(a) of the copula (Bl., §30, 3): Mat.8:29, 24:32, Jhn.21:22, 23, Heb.6:4, al.; __(b) of the predicate: ἐγώ εἰμί, Mat.14:27, Mrk.6:50, al.; absol. (cf. Deu.32:39; אֲנִי הוּא), Mrk.13:6, Jhn.4:26, al. (cf. ἄπ-, ἔν-, πάρ-, συμ-πάρ-, σύν-ειμι). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2123 NT verses. KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 13:2; 1 Peter 1:6.
κοινωνικους koinōnikos G2843 "generous" Adj-APM
Being generous or willing to share with others, like in 1 Timothy 6:18 where Paul encourages the wealthy to be willing to share their resources with those in need.
Definition: κοινωνικός, -ή, -όν (κοινωνία), __1. sociable. __2. ready to com­municate or impart (R, mg., ready to sympathize, see Field, Notes, 213 f.): 1Ti.6:18.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: willing to communicate See also: 1 Timothy 6:18.

Study Notes — 1 Timothy 6:18

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Hebrews 13:16 And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
2 1 John 3:17 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
3 Psalms 37:3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
4 Romans 12:8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
5 Titus 3:8 This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.
6 Luke 12:21 This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”
7 Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
8 Titus 2:14 He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
9 Proverbs 11:24–25 One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
10 Philippians 4:18–19 I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 6:18 Summary

[This verse teaches us that we should use our resources to do good and help others, and that being generous and willing to share is an important part of following God. As it says in 1 Timothy 6:18, we should be 'rich in good works' and 'generous and ready to share'. This means using what we have to make a positive impact on the world around us, and being willing to give to those in need, as seen in Galatians 6:2. By doing so, we can store up treasures in heaven and experience the joy of giving and serving others.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be 'rich in good works' as mentioned in 1 Timothy 6:18?

Being rich in good works means using our resources and abilities to serve others and glorify God, as seen in Matthew 25:31-46, where Jesus teaches that our actions towards others reflect our love for Him.

How can we balance being generous and ready to share with being responsible stewards of our finances?

According to 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, God loves a cheerful giver, and we should give as we have decided in our hearts, not reluctantly or under compulsion, while also being wise and responsible with our resources, as taught in Proverbs 27:23-24.

What is the relationship between doing good and being generous, as mentioned in 1 Timothy 6:18?

Doing good and being generous are closely linked, as seen in Acts 2:45, where the early Christians sold their possessions and gave to those in need, demonstrating that doing good often involves being generous and willing to share with others.

How does this verse relate to the concept of storing up treasures in heaven, as mentioned in Matthew 6:19-20?

As 1 Timothy 6:19 suggests, doing good, being rich in good works, and being generous can help us store up treasures in heaven, where our true riches will be, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:19-20, and this will bring us joy and fulfillment that lasts for eternity.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways I can 'do good' in my community, and how can I use my resources to serve others?
  2. How can I cultivate a heart of generosity, and what steps can I take to be more willing to share with those in need?
  3. What are some 'good works' that I can be involved in, and how can I use my talents and abilities to glorify God?
  4. In what ways can I demonstrate my love for God by being generous and ready to share with others, as taught in 1 John 3:17-18?

Gill's Exposition on 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

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Timothy 6:18

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Do good - like God Himself (Psalms 119:68; Acts 14:17) and Christ (Acts 10:38).

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Timothy 6:18

That they do good; that is, to others, as they have opportunity. That they be rich in good works; be plentiful in alms-deeds, or more generally in all good works of piety or charity. Ready to distribute; that they be not backward to distribute that of which God hath made them stewards, to those that want. Willing to communicate; but give freely and without grudging, according to their Master’ s order, as becometh those who are but stewards as to the riches which they have.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Timothy 6:18

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Ver. 18. That they do good] Not the richer the harder; as the sun moveth slowest when it is at the highest in the zodiac, or as the moon when it is fullest of light gets farthest off from the sun. Rich in good works] This is to be rich in God, Luke 12:21, when our works are good, Quoad fontem et quoad finem. As from the source until the end. Ready to distribute] A virtue much commended in the kings of Egypt (Diod. Sic. i.); practised by the Pythagoreans, Essenes, but especially by those primitive Christians, Acts 4:34-35. See my Common Place of Alms, and to those many examples there set forth of Christian bounty, add that of Mr Fox, who never denied any that asked him aught for Jesus’ sake. And being once so asked by a poor man, he questioned him whether he knew Jesus Christ? And finding signs that the man was a believer, he gave him his horse, when he had no money. I commend not his discretion, but his zeal and charity were admirable. The like is reported of Aidanus, as hath been said before. Queen Anne Boleyn gave in alms fourteen or fifteen thousand pounds in three-quarters of a year, as Mr Fox reporteth; accounting that she had nothing of her own but what she had given away. Hoc habeo quodcunque dedi. (Seneca.)

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Timothy 6:18

(18) That they do good, that they be rich in good works.—These words—coming directly after the statement that the good and pleasant things of this world, which are possessed in so large a share by the “rich,” are, after all, the gifts of God, who means them for our enjoyment—these words seem to point to the highest enjoyment procurable by these “rich”—the luxury of doing good, of helping others to be happy the only enjoyment that never fails, never disappoints. Ready to distribute, willing to communicate.—In distinguishing between these words, which are nearly synonymous, the first points rather to the hand which generously gives, and the second to the heart which lovingly sympathises.The first obeys willingly the Master’s charge—“Give to him that asketh;” the second follows that loving command which bids His own to rejoice with those that rejoice, and to mourn with those that mourn.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Timothy 6:18

Verse 18. That 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] ευμεταδοτουςειναι. That they give nothing through partiality or favour, but be guided in their distribution by the necessities of the objects presented to them; and that they confine not their charity at home, but scatter it abroad. Willing to communicate] κοινωνικους. Bringing every poor person into a state of fellowship with themselves.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Timothy 6:18

18. that they do good] Another of the many compound words; used however (according to the right reading) of God in providence, Acts 14:17, ‘in that He did good;’ stronger than the ordinary word (e.g. Luke 6:9), and taken up in the next clause; render that they work at doing good.rich in good works] The riches are jewels of God’s giving, and can be best seen and best enjoyed ‘in a setting of fair works.’ The two adjectives for ‘good’ here have a distinction, but not that given by Alford; the first according to a probable derivation signifying what is ‘kind and good’ in its inner character in a man’s conduct towards others, the second what is ‘fair and gracious’ in outer expression and bearing. The two together came to be used at Athens as one phrase to denote ‘a gentleman.’ And so such a use of wealth marks ‘the Christian gentleman.’ For the second word is the one used Matthew 5:16, ‘let your light shine … that they may see your good works,’ and 1 Peter 2:12, ‘your good works which they behold. Compare Bp. Westcott’s definition, Hebrews 10:24 ‘works which by their generous and attractive character win the natural admiration of men,’ and his synonym Hebrews 6:5, ‘tasted the goodness—the beauty—of the Word of God.’ See notes on Titus 1:16; Titus 2:7; Titus 3:8.ready to distribute, willing to communicate] Again two peculiar compound adjectives. Cranmer’s version followed in the Offertory Sentences of the Prayer-Book has ‘ready to give and glad to distribute,’ giving also the same rendering to the second of our two words in the text from Hebrews 13:16, ‘to do good and to distribute forget not,’ where A.V. and R.V. ‘to do good and to communicate.’ Possibly ‘communicate’ in such a connexion would have been misunderstood. The corresponding noun is rendered ‘distribution’ by A.V. in 2 Corinthians 9:13, by R.V. ‘contribution.’ The ‘sympathy’ suggested by the margin here of R.V. is certainly implied in the word, which may be said to sum up, in itself, the unity, generosity, and practical piety of the Church, as it worked out, under St Paul (see esp. 2 Corinthians 8:9), that problem of ‘rich and poor together’ which the earliest impulses of ‘the faith’ had solved for the moment only by the short rule of Act 2:44-45, ‘all that believed were together and had all things common,’—the same word from which our ‘willing to communicate’ comes. The root principle remains the same (2 Corinthians 8:13-15), and this our word conveys, though the practice was not workable for long of selling all into a common stock. G. Herbert seems to express both of the present adjectives in‘Joyn hands with God to make a man to live,Give to all something; to a good poore man,Till thou change names, and be where he began.’The Church Porch.The Christian wealth of England is still far below such a principle; else why the ‘weariness and painfulness’ known to so many of our clergy in begging appeals for ‘good works’ of piety and charity?

Barnes' Notes on 1 Timothy 6:18

That they do good - On the duty enjoined in this verse, see Galatians 6:10 note; Hebrews 13:10 note.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Timothy 6:18

18. They do good—Wealth may exist without sin; but not hoarded, illiberal wealth.

Sermons on 1 Timothy 6:18

SermonDescription
Otto Koning A Widow Who Becomes a Channel of God's Power by Otto Koning Otto Koning shares a powerful testimony about a widow who, despite her poverty, becomes a channel of God's blessings by committing to give everything above her basic needs to suppo
John Piper Let's Be Rich Toward God by John Piper This sermon emphasizes the importance of being rich toward God rather than treasuring possessions. It discusses the hazards and helpfulness of money, the significance of valuing Go
George Mueller The Main Events of George Müller's Life by George Mueller George Müller reflects on the significant events of his life, emphasizing his transformation from a young man in Prussia to a devoted Christian leader in England. He recounts his j
John Wesley On Public Diversions by John Wesley John Wesley addresses the dangers of public diversions, emphasizing that every calamity serves as a warning from God to prompt repentance and reflection. He argues that all evils o
Nathan Bangs From the Close of the General Conference of 1816 to the Commencement of the General Conference of 1820 by Nathan Bangs The Missionary and Bible Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America was established in 1819 with the aim of supplying the destitute with Bibles, providing a cheap supply
St. Augustine Exposition on Psalm 73 by St. Augustine St. Augustine preaches about the journey of the soul towards God, reflecting on the temptations and struggles faced in desiring earthly riches over the eternal reward of God's pres
J.R. Miller Things That Are Worth While by J.R. Miller J.R. Miller emphasizes the significance of living a life that contributes positively to the world, contrasting worldly success with the true value of humble Christian living. He ar

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