1 Timothy 6:17

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; Resuming the subject (1 Timothy 6:5; 1 Timothy 6:10). Ephesus abounded in rich men. The immortality of God, alone rich in glory, and of His people through Him, is opposed to the lust of money (cf. 1 Timothy 6:14). From those desiring to be rich, he passes to those who are rich: (1) What ought to be their disposition; (2) And use of their riches; (3) The consequences of so using them. RICH IN THIS WORLD - contrasted with the rich of the future kingdom, the portion...

17_Command _(or _charge_) _those who are rich _There being many among Christians who were poor and in a mean condition, it is probable that they were despised (as usually happens) by the rich; and especially this might be common at Ephesus, which was a wealthy city; for in such cities, for the most part, pride is more extensively prevalent. And hence we infer how dangerous is a great abundance of riches. Nor are there wanting good reasons why Paul addresses so severe an admonition to the rich; but it is for the purpose of remedying faults which almost always follow riches in the same manner as the shadow follows the body; and that through the depravity of our natural disposition, for out of the gifts of God we always draw an occasion for sinning. _That they be not haughty, nor hope in the uncertainty of riches _He expressly mentions two things against which rich men ought to be on their...

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 hold on eternal life, when the self-indulgent, covetous, and ungodly around, lift up their eyes in torment. That learning which opposes the truth of the gospel, is not true science, or real knowledge, or it would approve the gospel, and consent to it. Those who advance reason above faith, are in danger of leaving faith. Grace includes all that is good, and grace is an earnest, a beginning of glory; wherever God gives grace, he will give glory....

Verse 17. _CHARGE THEM THAT ARE RICH_] He had before, in 1 Timothy 6:9, given them a very awful lesson concerning their _obtaining riches_; and now he gives them one equally so concerning their _use_ of them. _THAT THEY BE NOT HIGH-MINDED_] That they do not value themselves on account of their wealth, for this adds nothing to mind or moral worth. _NOR TRUST IN UNCERTAIN RICHES_] πλουτου αδηλοτητι. The uncertainty of riches; things which are never at a _stay_, are ever changing, and seldom continue long with one proprietor; therefore, as well as on many other accounts, they are not to be trusted in: they cannot give happiness, because they are not _fixed_ and _permanent_; neither can they meet the wishes of an immortal spirit; _but in the living God_, who is the unchangeable fountain of perfe

CHARGE THEM THAT ARE RICH IN THIS WORLD, THAT THEY BE NOT HIGH-MINDED - One of the evils to which they are particularly exposed. The idea is, that they should not value themselves on account of their wealth, or look down with pride and arrogance on their inferiors. They should not suppose that they are any better people or any nearer heaven, because they are wealthy. Property really makes no distinction in the great things that pertain to character and salvation, It does not necessarily make one wise, or learned, or great, or good. In all these things, the man who has not wealth may be vastly the superior of him who has; and for so slight and unimportant a distinction as gold can confer, no man should be proud. Besides, let such a man reflect that his property is the gift of God; that he is made rich because God has chosen to arrange things so that he should be; that it is not primarily...

EXPOSITION 1 TIMOTHY 6:1 _Are servants _for _servants as are_,_ _A.V.;_ the doctrine _for _his doctrine_,_ _A.V. SERVANTS; literally, _slaves_._ _That slaves formed a considerable portion of the first Christian Churches may be inferred from the frequency with which their duties are pressed upon them (see 1 Corinthians 7:21; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:11,...

CHARGE THEM THAT ARE RICH IN THIS WORLD,.... Or in the things of this world. The Arabic version reads, "in this present world": in distinction from the world to come: some are poor in this world, and rich in another; others are rich in this world, and poor, and wretched, and miserable in the world to come: some are rich in both worlds, and such were at least some of those the apostle here refers to, who were members of the church at Ephesus, which was a rich city, and some rich men in it were called by the grace of God; and to distinguish these from others, who, though poor in this world, were rich in grace and in spiritual gifts, he so calls them; as well as to observe that their riches were like the world they were in, deceitful, empty, unsatisfying, and perishing: these the apostle would have not only spoke to, instructed, exhorted, and entreated, but strictly charged and commanded, w...

1 TIMOTHY 6:17 evpi. qew|/ {A} After qew|/ the Textus Receptus adds tw|/ zw/nti with D (D* om. tw|/) K L most minuscules itd syrp, h _al_. The shorter reading, which is supported by good representatives of both the Alexandrian and the Western types of text (a A F G P 33 424c itg vg copsa, bo arm eth _al_), was expanded by copyists who recollected the reference to “the living God” in 1 Timothy 3:15 or 1 Timothy 4:10....

CHAPTER 6 _ 1. Concerning servants (1 Timothy 6:1)_ 2. Concerning those who oppose (1 Timothy 6:3) 3. Concerning contentment and temptation (1 Timothy 6:6) 4. The final exhortations (1 Timothy 6:11) 1 Timothy 6:1 Servants (slaves) who had pagan masters were to count them worthy of all honor, and thus bear a good testimony for the truth, that the Name of God and the teaching be not blasphemed. Theirs was a blessed opportunity to show forth the excellencies of Him whom they served, and who once served

(_c_) 1 Timothy 6:17. THE TRUE CONCEPTION OF RICHES. Though God gives good things for our enjoyment, wealth is too uncertain a foundation on which to rest our hope. By good works rich men should lay up a foundation for the future (Matthew 6:20; Luke 16:9), secure on which they may gain that life which is more than mere existence (Luke 12:15; Luke 12:21). (_d_) 1 Timothy 6:20 F. FINAL CHARGE. A forceful reiteration of the epistle's main message. T