SEV Biblia, Chapter 6:17
A los ricos de este siglo manda que no sean altivos, ni pongan la esperanza en las riquezas inciertas, sino en el Dios viviente, que nos da todas las cosas en abundancia de que gocemos;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 6:17
Verse 17. Charge them that are rich] He had before, in verses 9, 10, given them a very awful lesson concerning their obtaining riches; and now he gives them one equally so concerning their use of them. That they be not high-minded] That they do not value themselves on account of their wealth, for this adds nothing to mind or moral worth.
Nor trust in uncertain riches] ploutou adhlothti? The uncertainty of riches; things which are never at a stay, are ever changing, and seldom continue long with one proprietor; therefore, as well as on many other accounts, they are not to be trusted in: they cannot give happiness, because they are not fixed and permanent; neither can they meet the wishes of an immortal spirit; but in the living God, who is the unchangeable fountain of perfection.
Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy] Who not only has all good, but dispenses it liberally for the supply of the wants of all his creatures; and he does not give merely what is necessary, but he gives what tends to render life comfortable. The comforts of life come from God, as well as the necessaries. He not only gives us a bare subsistence, but he gives us enjoyments. Were it not for the oppression and rapine of wicked men, every situation and state in life would be comparatively comfortable. God gives liberally; man divides it badly.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 17. Charge them that are rich in this world , etc.] Or in the things of this world. The Arabic version reads, in this present world: in distinction from the world to come: some are poor in this world, and rich in another; others are rich in this world, and poor, and wretched, and miserable in the world to come: some are rich in both worlds, and such were at least some of those the apostle here refers to, who were members of the church at Ephesus, which was a rich city, and some rich men in it were called by the grace of God; and to distinguish these from others, who, though poor in this world, were rich in grace and in spiritual gifts, he so calls them; as well as to observe that their riches were like the world they were in, deceitful, empty, unsatisfying, and perishing: these the apostle would have not only spoke to, instructed, exhorted, and entreated, but strictly charged and commanded, without paying any regard to their worldly grandeur and riches, that they be not high minded ; the Ethiopic version reads, that they be not lifted up in this world; with their wealth and worldly substance, and look down from the height of their honour and riches with contempt upon the poor, entertaining high thoughts of themselves, as if their bodies were of another matter and make, when they have all one Maker, are of one blood, and of the earth, earthly, and must return to it; or as if their souls were more large and capacious, and they were wiser and more knowing, whereas riches are not always to men of understanding, a fool may be rich, and a wise man poor; or as if they were the peculiar favourites of heaven, when, for the most part, God chooses and calls the poor of this world; or as if others were unworthy of their looks, company, and conversation.
Riches produce pride; rich men are apt to be proud of themselves, and despise others; and therefore this evil is taken notice of, as what they are to be cautioned against, and charged to the contrary: nor trust in uncertain riches ; or in the uncertainty of riches; they are here today, and gone tomorrow; no man that is possessed of them can be sure of them a moment; they make themselves wings and flee away; he that gives them, can take them away at pleasure: and there are various ways by which they are suddenly, and at once taken from the owners of them; as by loss in trade, by shipwreck, by inundations, by fire, by thieves, &c, and yet men are apt to promise themselves a continuance of them, and to have their dependence upon them, and place their trust and confidence in them, yea, even good men; and that very much to the neglect of, and disregard to the providence of God, which is always best and safest in every circumstance and station of life to depend upon, as follows: but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy ; almost every word carries in it an argument or reason why he should be trusted, because he is God, and not a creature; the living God, who has life in himself, essentially and originally; is the author, giver, and maintainer of life in others; and who always is, ever continues unchangeably the same: and giveth all things; every good gift comes from him; all the gifts of nature, and bounties of Providence; and as he gives, he can take away, and therefore should be only regarded; and he gives all things richly, largely, and plenteously; what is necessary and convenient, and abundantly more than men deserve: and that to enjoy; not to lay up, but to use for support, refreshment, and pleasure, though not to abuse.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 17-21 - Being rich in this world is wholly different from being rich toward 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, no having a heart to use them. What is the best estate worth, more than a it gives opportunity of doing the more good? Showing faith in Christ by fruits of love, let us lay hold on eternal life, when the self-indulgent, covetous, and ungodly around, lift up their eyes in torment. That learning which opposes the truth of the gospel, is no true science, or real knowledge, or it would approve the gospel, an consent to it. Those who advance reason above faith, are in danger of leaving faith. Grace includes all that is good, and grace is a earnest, a beginning of glory; wherever God gives grace, he will giv glory __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
τοις 3588 πλουσιοις 4145 εν 1722 τω 3588 νυν 3568 αιωνι 165 παραγγελλε 3853 5720 μη 3361 υψηλοφρονειν 5309 5721 μηδε 3366 ηλπικεναι 1679 5760 επι 1909 πλουτου 4149 αδηλοτητι 83 αλλ 235 εν 1722 τω 3588 θεω 2316 τω 3588 ζωντι 2198 5723 τω 3588 παρεχοντι 3930 5723 ημιν 2254 πλουσιως 4146 παντα 3956 εις 1519 απολαυσιν 619
Vincent's NT Word Studies
17. Them that are rich in this world (toiv plousioiv en tw nun aiwni). forming one conception. Chrysostom says:; "Rich in this world, for others are rich in the world to come." Comp. Luke xvi. 25. Plousiov rich, by Paul only metaphorically. See 2 Cor. viii. 9; Eph. ii. 4. The phrase oJ nun aijwn the now age, only here and Tit. ii. 19, the usual expression being oJ aijwn ou=tov this age or world, which is not found in Pastorals.
Be not highminded (mh uyhlofronein). The verb N.T.o . o LXX, o Class. Comp. Rom. xi. 20; xii. 16.
Uncertain riches (ploutou adhlothti). A rendering which weakens the sense by withdrawing the emphasis from the thought of uncertainty. Rend. the uncertainty of riches. For a similar construction see Rom. vi. 4. Adhlothv uncertainty, N.T.o . o LXX. Originally obscurity. Ploutov wealth, frequent in Paul, but never in the material sense. The play upon the word rich in this and the next verse will be noticed.
To enjoy (eiv apolausin). Lit. for enjoyment. Only here and Hebrews xi. 25. See 3 Macc. vii. 16. In class. occasionally, but the verb ajpolauein to have enjoyment or benefit is common. A contrast is implied between being highminded on account of wealth - cherishing and worshipping it - and rightly enjoying it. The true character of such enjoyment is shown in the next verse.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
6:17 {In this present world} (en twi nun aiwni). "In the now age," in contrast with the future. {That they be not high-minded} (me huyelofronein). Present active infinitive with negative in indirect command after paraggelle, "not to be high-minded." Only instance of the word save some MSS. of #Ro 11:20 (for m hupslaphronei) and a scholion on Pindar. {Have their hope set} (elpikenai). Perfect active infinitive of elpizw. {On the uncertainty of riches} (epi ploutou adeloteti). Literary _Koin_ word (adelotes), only here in N.T. A "vigorous oxymoron" (White). Cf. #Ro 6:4. Riches have wings. {But on God} (all' epi qewi). He alone is stable, not wealth. {Richly all things to enjoy} (panta plousiws eis apolausin). "A lavish emphasis to the generosity of God" (Parry). apolausis is old word from apolauw, to enjoy, in N.T. only here and #Heb 11:25.
