1 Timothy 6 · Verse 19

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.
1 Timothy 6:19, King James Version

1 Timothy 6:19 in other translations

BSBtreasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
WEBlaying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.
ASVlaying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life which is life indeed.
YLTtreasuring up to themselves a right foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life age-during.
DARBYlaying by for themselves a good foundation for the future, that they may lay hold of what is really life.
BBEMaking ready for themselves a safe place for the time to come, so that the true life may be theirs.
WebsterLaying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

What does 1 Timothy 6:19 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
19. Laying up in store--"therefrom (that is, by this means [Alford]; but Bengel makes the Greek "apo" mean laying apart against a future time), laying up for themselves as a treasure" [Alford] (Mt 6:19, 20). This is a treasure which we act wisely in laying up in store, whereas the wisest thing we can do with earthly treasures is "to distribute" them and give others a share of them (1Ti 6:18). good foundation--(See on 1Ti 3:13; Lu 6:48; 1Co 3:11). The sure reversion of the future heavenly inheritance: earthly riches scattered in faith lay up in store a sure increase of heavenly riches. We gather by scattering (Pr 11:24; 13:7; Lu 16:9). that ... eternal life--The oldest manuscripts and versions read, "that which is really life," its joys being solid and enduring (Psa 16:11). The life that now is cannot be called so, its goods being unsubstantial, and itself a vapor (Jas 4:14). "In order that ('with their feet so to speak on this foundation' [De Wette]) they may lay hold on that which is life indeed."

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 19. Laying up in store for themselves, etc. The meaning of this verse is, that they were to make such a use of their property that it would contribute to their eternal welfare. It might be the means of exalted happiness and honour in heaven, if they would so use it as not to interfere with religion in the soul, and so as to do the most good possible. See the sentiment in this verse explained at length Lk 16:9.

(a) "lay hold" Php 3:14

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation - St. Paul seems to have borrowed this form of speech from Tobit. See 4:8, 9: If thou hast abundance, give alms accordingly: if thou hast but a little, be not afraid to give according to that little: for thou treasurest up a good reward for thyself against the day of necessity. Θεμα ραρ αγαθον θησαυριζεις σεαυτω εις ἡμεραν αναγκης. The apostle says: Αποθησαυριζοντας ἑαυτοις θεμελιον καλον εις το μελλον, ἱνα επιλαβωνται της αιωνιου ζωης "Treasuring up a good foundation to them for the future, that they may lay hold on eternal life." The sentiment is the same in both writers; the words nearly so; and the meaning is simply this, as it is judiciously paraphrased by Mr. J. Wesley in his note on this passage: "Treasuring up for themselves a good foundation, of an abundant reward by the free mercy of God, that they may lay hold on eternal life. This cannot be done by almsdeeds; yet, they come up for a memorial before God; Act 10:4. And the lack even of this may be the cause why God will withhold grace and salvation from us." Christ has said: Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. They who have not been merciful according to their power, shall not obtain mercy; they that have, shall obtain mercy: and yet the eternal life which they obtain they look for from the mercy of God through Jesus Christ.

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 6:19 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.

ἀποθησαυρίζονταςapothēsaurizontastreasuring upG597
ἑαυτοῖςhe'autoisfor themselvesG1438
θεμέλιονthemeliona foundationG2310
καλὸνkalongoodG2570
εἰςeisforG1519
τὸtotheG3588
μέλλον,mellonfuture,G3195
ἵναinaso thatG2443
ἐπιλάβωνταιepilabōntaithey may take holdG1949
τῆςtēsof that whichG3588
ὄντωςontōs[is] trulyG3689
ζωῆς.¶zōēslife.G2222

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

Cross references for 1 Timothy 6:19

  • Matthew 6:19-21

    Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

  • 1 Timothy 6:12

    Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

  • 2 Timothy 2:19

    Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

  • Luke 16:9

    And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

  • 1 Peter 1:4

    To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

  • Galatians 6:8-9

    For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

  • Proverbs 31:25

    Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

  • Ephesians 3:17

    That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

  • Matthew 19:21

    Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

  • Philippians 3:14

    I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

  • Luke 6:48-49

    He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

  • Luke 18:22

    Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Laying.
Ps 17:14; Mt 6:19-21; 10:41,42; 19:21; 25:34-40; Lu 12:33; 16:9
Lu 18:2,22; Ga 6:8,9
foundation.
Pr 10:25; Lu 6:48,49; Ga 5:6; Eph 3:17; 2Ti 2:19
the time.
Pr 31:25; Lu 16:9,25
lay.
12; Php 3:14; 1Pe 1:4

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

Context

  • 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.

  • 1 Timothy 6:20

    O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

Read all of 1 Timothy 6

1 Timothy 6:19 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Atesorando para sí buen fundamento para lo por venir, que echen mano á la vida eterna.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
s’amassant comme trésor un bon fondement pour l’avenir, afin qu’ils saisissent ce qui est vraiment la vie.
German
Elberfelder 1871
indem sie sich selbst eine gute Grundlage auf die Zukunft sammeln, auf daß sie das wirkliche Leben ergreifen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
thesaurizare sibi fundamentum bonum in futurum, ut apprehendant veram vitam.