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 6:9

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"But they that will be rich"; not those that are rich, but those who wish to be. For a man may have money and make a good use of it, not overvaluing it, but bestowing it upon the poor. Such therefore he does not blame, but the covetous. "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." He has justly said, "they drown men," since they cannot be raised from that depth. …

Homily on 1 Timothy 17 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

The Apostle persuades with a proof taken from this world. I do not touch upon the future, he says, but look at what happens here. He did not say "those who are rich," but "those who desire to be rich." For anyone, even while possessing wealth, can manage it well, because to despise it and distribute it to the poor is not the act of those who desire to be rich. "They fall into temptation and a snare," since they sin against the faith, and are surrounded by dangers on account of their wealth, and fear everyone. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires, some of which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. Paul does not speak of those who use wealth well, but of those who desire it. And the desirer would not share it with another, so that the things of desire would not be diminished for him. who desire to be rich. …

Commentary On 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

He did not say: Those who are rich. He said: Those who seek to become rich.… The name of riches is, as it were, sweet-sounding to the ear. But, "many vain and harmful desires"—does that sound sweet? To be "involved in many troubles"—does that sound sweet? Do not be so misled by one false good that you will thereby cling to many real evils.

Sermons 11.3 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Above, the Apostle showed what sort of gain is suitable for Christians, namely, godliness with contentment; here he shows that those who seek superfluous gain in riches incur great harm: first, he indicates the evils that issue from an indiscriminate desire for wealth; second, he assigns the reason, at for the desire of money. But two sorts of evils follow: some spring from the enemy without, and others from one's own concupiscence, at into many unprofitable and hurtful desires. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗