1. Timotheus 6:17

Resuming the subject from above, Ti1 6:5, Ti1 6:10. The immortality of God, alone rich in glory, and of His people through Him, is opposed to the lust of money (compare Ti1 6:14-16). From speaking of the desire to be rich, he here passes to those who are rich: (1) What ought to be their disposition; (2) What use they ought to make of their riches, and, (3) The consequences of their so using them. rich in this world--contrasted with the riches of the future kingdom to be the portion of believers at Christ's "appearing," Ti1 6:14. high-minded--often the character of the rich (see Rom 12:16). trust--Greek, "to have their trust resting." in . . . in--rather, "upon . . . upon," as the oldest manuscripts. uncertain riches--rather as Greek, "the uncertainty of riches." They who rest their trust on riches, rest trust on uncertainty itself (Pro 23:5). Now they belong to one person, now to another, and that which has many masters is possessed by none [THEODORET]. living God--The best manuscripts and versions omit "living." He who trusts in riches transfers to them the duty he owes to God [CALVIN]. who giveth--Greek, "affordeth." all things richly--temporal and eternal, for the body and for the soul. In order to be truly rich, seek to be blessed of, and in, God (Pro 10:22; Pe2 1:3). to enjoy--Greek, "for enjoyment." Not that the heart may cleave to them as its idol and trust (Ti1 4:3). Enjoyment consists in giving, not in holding fast. Non-employment should be far removed, as from man, so from his resources (Jam 5:2-3) [BENGEL].

I. He treats of the duty of servants (Ti1 6:1, Ti1 6:2). II. Of false teachers (Ti1 6:3-5). III. Of godliness and covetousness (Ti1 6:6-10). IV. What Timothy was to flee, and what to follow (Ti1 6:11, Ti1 6:12). V. A solemn charge (Ti1 6:13-16). VI. A charge for the rich (Ti1 6:17-19). And lastly, a charge to Timothy (Ti1 6:20, Ti1 6:21).

6:17-19 In light of 6:11-16, it is folly to treasure the transient wealth of this age (Jas 5:3). It is better to store up treasure for the coming age through trust in God and by being rich in good works and generous in love for others (see 1 Tim 1:5). 6:17-18 for our enjoyment: Christian hope does not lead to asceticism or communism but to the management of resources (Gen 1:28-30; 2:15), which we are to use for enjoyment (see 1 Tim 4:3-5; Ps 145:16; Acts 14:17) and for sharing Christ’s love with others (see Luke 12:16-34; 2 Cor 8:1–9:15).