Fathers

1 Timothy 6

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Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed. Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions, constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. I command you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession, that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. He alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen. Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life. Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge, which some profess, and thus have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 6:17

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high-minded." He has well said, "rich in this world." For there are others rich in the future world. And this advice he gives, knowing that nothing so generally produces pride and arrogance as wealth. To abate this, therefore, he immediately adds, "Nor trust in uncertain riches"; since that was the source of pride; inasmuch as he who hopes in God, is not elated. Why dost thou place thy hopes upon what is instantly transferable? For such is wealth! …

Homily on 1 Timothy 18 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

There are also other rich people, but not in the present age, rather in the future one — these are the righteous. For wealth arouses arrogance and vainglory. Immediately he humbles them. Why, he says, do you boast in a support that is unfaithful, easily destroyed, and unstable? That is, air, water, light, the changes of seasons, times, and everything else He gave with greater generosity, although selfishness attributes to itself everything it receives. From this learn that God enriched man by giving him everything without division. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

To the rich, in this present age, command not to be arrogant, nor to hope in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. For there are also other rich men, but not in this age. The truly rich are the righteous ones, that is. not to be arrogant, Paul says. For nothing so much inflates and exalts the mind as money and possessions. nor to hope in uncertain riches. See how he insults them, and how foolish they are. For who hopes for something uncertain? but in the living God. …

Commentary On 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

Praise to the rich if they remain humble. Praise the rich for being poor. The one who writes to Timothy wants them to be like that, when he says, "Order the rich of this world not to be haughty in mind." I know what I am saying: give them these orders. The riches they have are whispering persuasively to them to be proud; the riches they have make it very hard for them to be humble.

Sermons 14.2 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Above, he dealt with the instruction of persons of low estate; here he returns to his subject and instructs him how to deal with the rich: first, he does this; second, he deals with Timothy's own instruction, at O Timothy. As always, when he instructs him about instructing others, he warns him not to neglect himself. In regard to the first, first, he informs him about the vices usually found in the rich; second, he charges him to pursue the good, at do good. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗