Fathers

1 Timothy 6

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Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 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; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 6:18

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"That they do good," he says, "that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute willing to communicate." The first phrase refers to wealth, the second to charity. For to be willing to communicate, implies that they are sociable and kind.

Homily on 1 Timothy 18 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

From the general instruction "exhort" them "to do good" the following also follows: if you wish to become rich, become rich in doing good. This refers to money. This refers to love. By sociable, understand talkative, affable people.

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

To do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may obtain eternal life. to do good, to be rich in good works. If you seek wealth, seek true wealth, not uncertain. What are these? Goods, Paul says, are easy to distribute; for this is the nature of money. to be generous. That is, gentle, friendly, modest, and humble. storing up for themselves. That is, laying down, Paul says, a good foundation. …

Commentary On 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

Those who have given liberally of their riches have had great gains to compensate them for light losses. Their joy at what they assured for themselves more securely by readiness to give outweighed their sadness at the surrender of possessions they more easily lost because they clung to them fearfully. Reluctance to remove their goods from this world exposed them to the risk of loss. …

City of God 1.10.2 ↗

Leo the Great

Let those who wish Christ to spare them, have mercy on the poor; let them give freely to feed the wretched, who desire to attain to the society of the blessed. Let no man consider his fellow vile, nor despise in any one that nature which the Creator of the world made His own. For who that labours can deny that Christ claims that labour as done unto Himself? Your fellow-slave is helped thereby, but it is the Lord who will repay. …

Sermons 9.2 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, do good, he instructs him to achieve what is good. But those whose love is beamed on riches, strive, first of all, to acquire them; second, to use them, once they are possessed; third, to obtain the end of riches. These are the three things the Apostle advises: first, that he acquire spiritual riches; hence do good and be rich in good works: learn to do well (Isa 1:17). In regard to the second, it should be noted that there are two ways to use riches: one is to hoard them, and the other is to give them away. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗