1 Timotheüs 6:18

18 Dat zij weldadig zijn, rijk worden in goede werken, gaarne mededelende zijn, en gemeenzaam;

1 Timotheüs 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.

---

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 Timotheüs 6:18 In-Context

16 Die alleen onsterfelijkheid heeft, en een ontoegankelijk licht bewoont; Denwelken geen mens gezien heeft, noch zien kan; Welken zij eer en eeuwige kracht. Amen.

17 Beveel den rijken in deze tegenwoordige wereld, dat zij niet hoogmoedig zijn, noch hun hoop stellen op de ongestadigheid des rijkdoms, maar op den levenden God, Die ons alle dingen rijkelijk verleent, om te genieten;

18 Dat zij weldadig zijn, rijk worden in goede werken, gaarne mededelende zijn, en gemeenzaam;

19 Leggende zichzelven weg tot een schat een goed fondament tegen het toekomende, opdat zij het eeuwige leven verkrijgen mogen.

20 O Timotheus, bewaar het pand u toebetrouwd, een afkeer hebbende van het ongoddelijk ijdel-roepen, en van de tegenstellingen der valselijk genaamde wetenschap;