Commentary on Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians Timothy Titus and Philemon John Calvin (continued)
CHAPTER 6
disputing how God can be seen, we lose both peace and sanctification, without which no man can ever see God.
1 Timothy 6:17-21
1 Timothy 6:17-21 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;
17. Iis, qui divites sunt in hoc saeculo, praecipe (vel, denuntia) ne efferantur, neve sperent in divitiarum incertitudine, sed in Deo vivo, qui abundè suppeditat omnia ad fruendum;
18. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
18. Ut benefaciant, ut divites sint in operibus bonis, faciles ad largiendum (vel, ad communicationem,) libenter communicantes.
19. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
19. Recondentes sibi ipsis fundamentum bonum in posterum, ut vitam aeternum apprehendant.
20. O Timothy keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
20. O Timothee, depositum custodi, devitans profanas clamorum inanitates, vaniloquia et oppositiones falsò nominatae scientiae.
21. Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
21. Quam quidam profitentes aberrarunt a fide. Gratia tecum. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.
Ad Timotheum prima missa fuit ex Laodicea, quae est metropolis Phrygiae Pacatianae.
17 Command (or charge) those who are rich There being many among Christians who were poor and in a mean condition, it is probable that they were despised (as usually happens) by the rich; and especially this might be common at Ephesus, which was a wealthy city; for in such cities, for the most part, pride is more extensively prevalent. And hence we infer how dangerous is a great abundance of riches. Nor are there wanting good reasons why Paul addresses so severe an admonition to the rich; but it is for the purpose of remedying faults which almost always follow riches in the same manner as the shadow follows the body; and that through the depravity of our natural disposition, for out of the gifts of God we always draw an occasion for sinning.
That they be not haughty, nor hope in the uncertainty of riches He expressly mentions two things against which rich men ought to be on their guard, pride and deceitful hope, of which the former springs from the latter. Accordingly,