1Ti 6:18-19 | JFB | STEP | 18. do good —like God Himself ( ) and Christ ( ). TITTMANN translates, "to do," or "act well"; as the Greek for "to be beneficent" is a distinct word, agathopoiein. rich in good works —so "rich in faith," which produces good works ( ). Contrasted with "rich in this world," . Literally, it is "rich in honorable (right) works." Greek, " kalois, " " ergois, " are works good or right in themselves: " agathois, " good to another. ready to distribute —free givers [ALFORD ]; the heart not cleaving to possessions, but ready to impart to others. willing to communicate —ready contributors [ALFORD ]: liberal in admitting others to share our goods in common with ourselves ( ).

1 Timothy 6:18-19

18. do good—like God Himself (Ps 119:68; Ac 14:17) and Christ (Ac 10:38). TITTMANN translates, "to do," or "act well"; as the Greek for "to be beneficent" is a distinct word, agathopoiein.

rich in good works—so "rich in faith," which produces good works (Jas 2:5). Contrasted with "rich in this world," 1Ti 6:17. Literally, it is "rich in honorable (right) works." Greek, "kalois," "ergois," are works good or right in themselves: "agathois," good to another.

ready to distribute—free givers [ALFORD]; the heart not cleaving to possessions, but ready to impart to others.

willing to communicate—ready contributors [ALFORD]: liberal in admitting others to share our goods in common with ourselves (Ga 6:6; Heb 13:16).

19. Laying up in store—"therefrom (that is, by this means [ALFORD]; but BENGEL makes the Greek "apo" mean laying apart against a future time), laying up for themselves as a treasure" [ALFORD] (Mt 6:19, 20). This is a treasure which we act wisely in laying up in store, whereas the wisest thing we can do with earthly treasures is "to distribute" them and give others a share of them (1Ti 6:18).

good foundation—(See on 1Ti 3:13; Lu 6:48; 1Co 3:11). The sure reversion of the future heavenly inheritance: earthly riches scattered in faith lay up in store a sure increase of heavenly riches. We gather by scattering (Pr 11:24; 13:7; Lu 16:9).

that . . . eternal life—The oldest manuscripts and versions read, "that which is really life," its joys being solid and enduring (Ps 16:11). The life that now is cannot be called so, its goods being unsubstantial, and itself a vapor (Jas 4:14). "In order that ('with their feet so to speak on this foundation' [DE WETTE]) they may lay hold on that which is life indeed."