1 Timothy 6 · Verse 18

1 Timothy 6:18

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
1 Timothy 6:18, King James Version

1 Timothy 6:18 in other translations

BSBInstruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,
WEBthat they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share;
ASVthat they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
YLTto do good, to be rich in good works, to be ready to impart, willing to communicate,
DARBYto do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal in distributing, disposed to communicate of their substance,
BBEAnd to do good, having wealth in good works, being quick to give, taking part with one another;
WebsterThat they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

What does 1 Timothy 6:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
18. do good--like God Himself (Psa 119:68; Ac 14:17) and Christ (Ac 10:38). Tittmann translates, "to do," or "act well"; as the Greek for "to be beneficent" is a distinct word, agathopoiein. rich in good works--so "rich in faith," which produces good works (Jas 2:5). Contrasted with "rich in this world," 1Ti 6:17. Literally, it is "rich in honorable (right) works." Greek, "kalois," "ergois," are works good or right in themselves: "agathois," good to another. ready to distribute--free givers [Alford]; the heart not cleaving to possessions, but ready to impart to others. willing to communicate--ready contributors [Alford]: liberal in admitting others to share our goods in common with ourselves (Ga 6:6; He 13:16).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 18. That they do good. On the duty enjoined in this verse, Gal 6:10, Heb 13:16.

That they be rich in good works. "That their good works may be as abundant as their riches."

Ready to distribute. To divide with others. Comp. Acts 4:34. The meaning is that they should be liberal, or bountiful.

Willing to communicate. Marg., or sociable. The translation in the text is a more correct rendering of the Greek. The idea is, that they should be willing to share their blessings with others, so as to make others comfortable. Heb 13:16. Comp. the argument of Paul in 2Cor 8:13-15, 2Cor 8:13; 2Cor 8:14, 2Cor 8:15.

(1) "willing to communicate" "sociable" (*) "communicate" "bestow"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 18 That they do good - That they relieve the wants of their fellow creatures, according to the abundance which God has given them. The highest luxury a human being can enjoy on this side of the grave. Rich in good works - That their good works may be as abundant as their riches. Ready to distribute - Ευμεταδοτους ειναι· That they give nothing through partiality or favor, but be guided in their distribution by the necessities of the objects presented to them; and that they confine not their charity at home, but scatter it abroad. Willing to communicate - Κοινωνικους· Bringing every poor person into a state of fellowship with themselves.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Timothy 6:17-21

Being rich in this world is wholly different from being rich towards God. Nothing is more uncertain than worldly wealth. Those who are rich, must see that God gives them their riches; and he only can give to enjoy them richly; for many have riches, but enjoy them poorly, not having a heart to use them. What is the best estate worth, more than as it gives opportunity of doing the more good? Showing faith in Christ by…

Read the full comment on 1 Timothy 6:17-21 →

1 Timothy 6:18 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἀγαθοεργεῖν,agathoergeinto do good,G14
πλουτεῖνplouteinto be richG4147
ἐνeninG1722
ἔργοιςergoisworksG2041
καλοῖς,kaloisgood,G2570
εὐμεταδότουςeumetadotousgenerous in distributingG2130
εἶναι,einaito be,G1511
κοινωνικούς,koinōnikousready to share,G2843

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Timothy 6:18

  • Hebrews 13:16

    But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

  • 1 John 3:17

    But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

  • Romans 12:8

    Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

  • Psalms 37:3

    Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

  • Luke 12:21

    So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

  • Galatians 6:10

    As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

  • Titus 3:8

    This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

  • Titus 2:14

    Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

  • Proverbs 11:24-25

    There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

  • Philippians 4:18-19

    But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

  • Romans 12:13

    Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

  • 1 Timothy 5:10

    Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
they do.
2Ch 24:16; Ps 37:3; Ec 3:12; Lu 6:33-35; Ac 10:38; Ga 6:10
Heb 13:16; 1Pe 3:11; 3Jo 1:11
river.
5:10; Lu 12:21; Ac 9:36; Tit 2:14; 3:8; Jas 2:5
ready.
De 15:7-11; Ps 112:9; Pr 11:24,25; Ec 11:1,2,6; Isa 32:8; 58:7
Lu 6:35; 14:12-14; Ac 2:44,45; 4:34-37; 11:29; Ro 12:8,13; 1Co 16:2
2Co 8:1,2,9,12; 9:6-15; Php 4:18,19; Heb 13:16; 1Jo 3:17
willing to communicate. or, sociable.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Timothy 6:17

    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;

  • 1 Timothy 6:18

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

  • 1 Timothy 6:19

    Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Read all of 1 Timothy 6

1 Timothy 6:18 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Que hagan bien, que sean ricos en buenas obras, dadivosos, que con facilidad comuniquen;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		qu’ils fassent du bien; qu’ils soient riches en bonnes œuvres; qu’ils soient prompts à donner, libéraux,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Gutes zu tun, reich zu sein in guten Werken, freigebig zu sein, mitteilsam,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		bene agere, divites fieri in bonis operibus, facile tribuere, communicare,