The Meaning of 1 Timothy 6:18 Explained

1 Timothy 6:18

KJV: That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

YLT: to do good, to be rich in good works, to be ready to impart, willing to communicate,

Darby: to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal in distributing, disposed to communicate of their substance,

ASV: that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

That they do good,  that they be rich  in  good  works,  ready to distribute,  willing to communicate; 

What does 1 Timothy 6:18 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Timothy 6:11-21 - "fight The Good Fight Of The Faith"
The poor need not envy the rich. Wealth makes no difference in the audit of eternity. A man cannot eat more than a certain amount of food, and wear more than a certain amount of clothing. If we have enough why envy others? The true wealth of life is in self-renunciation and beneficence. How different from the money-grabber is the man of God who flees such things, and follows after righteousness, who fights the good fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and who never flinches from witnessing the good witness. If we suffer here with Jesus, we shall share in the glory of His manifestation. Notice the wealth of the Apostle's ascription to Jesus! Here is life in its spring, light at its source, power and authority in their original fountain. Let us claim these blessings and enthrone them in our lives.
The charge to the rich is eminently sound. We must set our hope not on the attainment of fleeting things, but in God who loves to give and see His children happy. We hold all that we have, that we may be God's channels of communication to others. What we hoard we lose, what we give away we store. The life which is life indeed can be acquired only through death and self-giving [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Timothy 6

1  Of the duty of servants
3  Not to have fellowship with newfangled teachers
6  Godliness is great gain;
10  and love of money the root of all evil
11  What Timothy is to flee, and what to follow
17  and whereof to admonish the rich
20  To keep the purity of true doctrine, and to avoid godless ideas

Greek Commentary for 1 Timothy 6:18

That they do good [αγατοεργειν]
Late word (αγατος — agathos εργω — ergō), in N.T. only here and Acts 14:17. [source]
Rich in good works [πλουτειν εν εργοις καλοις]
See note on Luke 12:21 “rich toward God” and notes on Matthew 6:19. for “treasures in heaven.” Ready to distribute (ευμεταδοτους — eumetadotous). Late and rare verbal (ευ μετα διδωμι — euκοινωνικους — metadidōmi). Free to give, liberal. Only here in N.T. Willing to communicate Old adjective, ready to share, gracious, liberal again. Only here in N.T. See note on Galatians 6:6; Philemon 4:15. [source]
Ready to distribute [ευμεταδοτους]
Late and rare verbal Free to give, liberal. Only here in N.T. [source]
Willing to communicate [Koinéōnikous)]
Old adjective, ready to share, gracious, liberal again. Only here in N.T. See note on Galatians 6:6; Philemon 4:15. [source]
Do good [ἀγαθοεργεῖν]
In this uncontracted form, N.T.oolxx, oClass. Comp. Acts 14:17. The usual word is ἀγαθοποιεῖν , see Mark 3:4; Luke 6:9, Luke 6:33, Luke 6:35; 1 Peter 2:15. oP. who has ἐργάζεσθαι τὸ ἀγαθὸν towork that which is good, Romans 2:10; Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 4:28. [source]
Good works [ἔργοις καλοῖς]
For καλός see on 1 Timothy 3:7, and John 10:11: for ἀγαθός on Romans 5:7. [source]
Ready to distribute [εὐμεταδότους]
N.T.oolxx, oClass. For the verb μεταδιδόναι toimpart to the poor, see Luke 3:11; Ephesians 4:28. [source]
Willing to communicate [κοινωνικούς]
N.T.oolxx. See on fellowship, Acts 2:42, and comp. κοινωνεῖν topartake, 1 Timothy 5:22, and κοινός common Titus 1:14. Stronger than the preceding word, as implying a personal share in the pleasure imparted by the gift. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Timothy 6:18

Acts 14:17 Without witness [αμαρτυρον]
Old adjective First aorist active (κ — k aorist indicative of απιημι — aphiēmi). In that he did good Present active causal participle of αγατουργεω — agathourgeō late and rare verb (also αγατοεργεω — agathoergeō 1 Timothy 6:18), reading of the oldest MSS. here for αγατοποιεω — agathopoieō to do good. Note two other causal participles here parallel with αγατουργων — agathourgōn viz., διδους — didous (“giving you”) present active of διδωμι εμπιπλων — didōmiεμπιμπλαω — empiplōn (“filling”) present active of εμπιμπλημι — empimplaō (late form of καρποπορουσ καρπος — empimplēmi). This witness to God (his doing good, giving rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness) they could receive without the help of the Old Testament revelation (Romans 1:20). Zeus was regarded as the god of rain (Jupiter Pluvius) and Paul claims the rain and the fruitful Paul does not talk about laws of nature as if they governed themselves, but he sees the living God “behind the drama of the physical world” (Furneaux). These simple country people could grasp his ideas as he claims everything for the one true God. Gladness (ευ — euphrosunēs). Old word from πρην — euphrōn (eu and phrēn), good cheer. In the N.T. only Acts 2:28 and here. Cheerfulness should be our normal attitude when we consider God‘s goodness. Paul does not here mention Christ because he had the single definite purpose to dissuade them from worshipping Barnabas and himself. [source]
Acts 14:17 In that he did good [αγατουργων]
Present active causal participle of αγατουργεω — agathourgeō late and rare verb (also αγατοεργεω — agathoergeō 1 Timothy 6:18), reading of the oldest MSS. here for αγατοποιεω — agathopoieō to do good. Note two other causal participles here parallel with αγατουργων — agathourgōn viz., διδους — didous (“giving you”) present active of διδωμι εμπιπλων — didōmiεμπιμπλαω — empiplōn (“filling”) present active of εμπιμπλημι — empimplaō (late form of καρποπορουσ καρπος — empimplēmi). This witness to God (his doing good, giving rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness) they could receive without the help of the Old Testament revelation (Romans 1:20). Zeus was regarded as the god of rain (Jupiter Pluvius) and Paul claims the rain and the fruitful Paul does not talk about laws of nature as if they governed themselves, but he sees the living God “behind the drama of the physical world” (Furneaux). These simple country people could grasp his ideas as he claims everything for the one true God. Gladness (ευ — euphrosunēs). Old word from πρην — euphrōn (eu and phrēn), good cheer. In the N.T. only Acts 2:28 and here. Cheerfulness should be our normal attitude when we consider God‘s goodness. Paul does not here mention Christ because he had the single definite purpose to dissuade them from worshipping Barnabas and himself. [source]
2 Thessalonians 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing [υμεις δε αδελποι μη ενκακησητε καλοποιουντες]
Emphatic position of εν κακος — humeis in contrast to these piddlers. καλοποιεω — Mē and the aorist subjunctive is a prohibition against beginning an act (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 851-4). It is a late verb and means to behave badly in, to be cowardly, to lose courage, to flag, to faint, It occurs in Polybius. The late verb αγατοποιεω — kalopoieō to do the fair (kalos) or honourable thing occurs nowhere else in the N.T., but is in the lxx and a late papyrus. Paul uses to kalon poiein in 2 Corinthians 13:7; Galatians 6:9; Romans 7:21 with the same idea. He has agathopoieō to do good, in 1 Timothy 6:18. [source]
1 Timothy 5:10 For good works [ἐν ἔργοις καλοῖς]
Lit. in good works; in the matter of. Comp. 1 Timothy 6:18; Titus 2:7; Titus 3:8, Titus 3:14. In the Gospels, ἔργον workappears with καλὸς and never with ἀγαθὸς . In Paul, always with ἀγαθὸς and never with καλὸς KingsIn the Pastorals, with both. The phrase includes good deeds of all kinds, and not merely special works of beneficence. Comp. Acts 9:36. [source]
1 Timothy 3:9 In a pure conscience [ἐν καθαρᾷ συνειδήσει]
Comp. 2 Timothy 1:3, 2 Timothy 1:5, 19. Const. with holding. The emphasis of the passage is on these words. They express conscientious purity and sincerity in contrast with those who are described as branded in their own conscience, and thus causing their followers to fall away from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1, 1 Timothy 4:2). The passage illustrates the peculiar treatment of “faith” in these Epistles, in emphasizing its ethical aspect and its ethical environment. This is not contrary to Paul's teaching, nor does it go to the extent of substituting morals for faith as the condition of salvation and eternal life. See 2 Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:1; Titus 3:5. Nonetheless, there is a strong and habitual emphasis on good works (see 1 Timothy 2:10; 1 Timothy 5:10; 1 Timothy 6:18; 2 Timothy 2:21; 2 Timothy 3:17; Titus 1:16; Titus 2:7, Titus 2:14; Titus 3:1, Titus 3:8, Titus 3:14), and faith is placed in a series of practical duties (see 1 Timothy 1:5, 1 Timothy 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:15; 1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 1:13; 1 Timothy 1:19; 1 Timothy 2:7; 1 Timothy 3:9; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22; 2 Timothy 3:10). “Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience” is a significant association of faith with ethics. As Weiss puts it: “It is as if the pure conscience were the vessel in which the mystery of the faith is preserved.” The idea is sound and valuable. A merely intellectual attitude toward the mystery which, in every age, attaches to the faith, will result in doubt, questioning, and wordy strife (see 1 Timothy 6:4; 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9), sometimes in moral laxity, sometimes in despair. Loyalty and duty to God are compatible with more or less ignorance concerning the mystery. An intellect, however powerful and active, joined with an impure conscience, cannot solve but only aggravates the mystery; whereas a pure and loyal conscience, and a frank acceptance of imposed duty along with mystery, puts one in the best attitude for attaining whatever solution is possible. See John 7:17. [source]
Revelation 2:9 Rich []
In faith and grace. Compare James 2:6, James 2:7; 1 Timothy 6:17, 1 Timothy 6:18; Luke 12:21; Matthew 19:21. [source]
Revelation 2:9 But thou art rich [αλλα πλουσιος ει]
Parenthesis to show the spiritual riches of this church in contrast with the spiritual poverty in Laodicea (Revelation 3:17), this a rich poor church, that a poor rich church. Rich in grace toward God (Luke 12:21) and in good deeds (1 Timothy 6:18). Perhaps Jews and pagans had pillaged their property (Hebrews 10:34), poor as they already were.Blasphemy (βλασπημιαν — blasphēmian). Reviling believers in Christ. See Mark 7:22. The precise charge by these Jews is not indicated, but see Acts 13:45.Of them which say “From those saying” This is the accusative of general reference and the infinitive in indirect discourse after λεγω — legō (Acts 5:36; Acts 8:9) even though λεγοντων — legontōn is here ablative (cf. Revelation 3:9), common idiom. These are actual Jews and only Jews, not Christians.And they are not Another parenthesis like that in Revelation 2:2. These are Jews in name only, not spiritual Jews (Galatians 6:15., Romans 2:28).A synagogue of Satan (συναγωγη του Σατανα — sunagōgē tou Satanā). In Revelation 3:9 again and note Revelation 2:13, Revelation 2:24, serving the devil (John 8:44) instead of the Lord (Numbers 16:3; Numbers 20:4). [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Timothy 6:18 mean?

to do good to be rich in works good generous in distributing to be ready to share
ἀγαθοεργεῖν πλουτεῖν ἐν ἔργοις καλοῖς εὐμεταδότους εἶναι κοινωνικούς

ἀγαθοεργεῖν  to  do  good 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: ἀγαθοεργέω  
Sense: to work good, to do good, to do well, act rightly.
πλουτεῖν  to  be  rich 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: πλουτέω  
Sense: to be rich, to have abundance.
ἔργοις  works 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: ἔργον  
Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied.
καλοῖς  good 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: καλός  
Sense: beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable.
εὐμεταδότους  generous  in  distributing 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: εὐμετάδοτος  
Sense: ready or free to impart.
εἶναι  to  be 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
κοινωνικούς  ready  to  share 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: κοινωνικός  
Sense: social, sociable, ready and apt to form and maintain communion and fellowship.