Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
1 Timothy 6:18 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 18. 18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse commands rich people to do good, become rich in good works, give generously, and share.
Read It With
- 1 Timothy 6:17–19
Read 1 Timothy 6:18 with 6:17–19. This verse commands rich people to do good, become rich in good works, give generously, and share. The complete unit establishes this movement: People rich in the present age must reject arrogance and reliance on uncertain wealth, hope in the generous God, become rich in good works, give and share, and seek the life that is truly life.
Why This Verse Appears Here
After relativizing every ruler before God, the letter applies the same humility to economic power. Within that movement, this verse commands rich people to do good, become rich in good works, give generously, and share.
Read 1 Timothy 6:17–19 together
Why these verses belong together: Wealth's uncertainty, hope in God, enjoyment, good works, generosity, sharing, and true life form one economic instruction.
Verse 17. 17 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;
Verse 18. 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
Verse 19. 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Follow the Context
- The rich are commanded not to be arrogant.
- Uncertain riches must not bear hope.
- Hope belongs in God, who richly provides for enjoyment.
- The rich must do good and become rich in good works.
- Generous giving and willing sharing store a good future foundation.
- The aim is taking hold of true life.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“willing to communicate”
In plain language: The KJV phrase means willing to share, not merely willing to speak.
commands rich people to do good, become rich in good works, give generously, and share. Economic abundance carries an obligation to widen participation and meet need.
Why it matters: The wording carries interpretive or ethical risk that requires the full unit and its stated limits.
How certain? strongWhat This Verse Is Not Saying
Generosity does not excuse exploitation, corruption, wage theft, or failure to make restitution.
What Remains True
Economic abundance carries an obligation to widen participation and meet need.
How It Can Shape Life
- Pay fairly, repair harm, and give without control.
Teach It Back
Explain how 1 Timothy 6:18 contributes to 1 Timothy 6:17–19. Include what the surrounding verses add, the stated uncertainty, and what this verse does not authorize.
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Continue in Context
The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.
Read 1 Timothy 6:17–19 — Rich Believers Replace Arrogance with Generous SharingSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing KJV wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: 1 Timothy 6:17–19, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, morphology targets, and base text for original-language discussion.
Exact location: Faithlife SBLGNT repository, data/sblgnt/text/1Tim.txt, 6:17–19
Open the 1 Timothy Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — 1 Timothy with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005–2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level syntax, KJV-era wording, textual alternatives, and interpretive notes.
Exact location: NET Bible official 1 Timothy PDF, 6:17–19 translation and attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open the official NET 1 Timothy PDF ↗