1 Timothy 6

1 Timothy · Chapter 6

1 Timothy 6:19

1Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.6But godliness with contentment is great gain.7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;14That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:15Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.17Charge 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;18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:21Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.laying 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.

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

This verse finishes a charge Paul tells Timothy to give to wealthy believers: not to trust in uncertain riches but in God, and to be rich in good works and generous. In this way they lay up a good foundation for the time to come and lay hold on eternal life. 1 Timothy 6:171 Timothy 6:181 Timothy 6:19

SpeakingPaul the apostle writes the letter, naming himself in 1:1. Many critical scholars think a follower wrote it in Paul's name. 1 Timothy overview

ToTimothy, Paul's younger co-worker, whom Paul left to lead the church at Ephesus. 1 Timothy overview

Also involvedThose "that are rich in this world" in the church. Timothy is to pass this charge on to them. 1 Timothy 6:17

Rich believers who do good and share freely are pictured as storing treasure. That treasure becomes a firm foundation for "the time to come." The goal is that they "may lay hold on eternal life." 1 Timothy 6:181 Timothy 6:19Strong's G0597Strong's G2310

The letter was sent to Ephesus, a wealthy port city and capital of the Roman province of Asia. That may explain why it speaks to rich members. The text does not say where Paul wrote from, though Macedonia is possible. 1 Timothy overview

ACHAIAASIAGALATIAAegean SeaEphesusLaodiceaMiletusPhilippiThessalonicaCorinth

The eventsThe verse is instruction, not a story. It looks ahead to "the time to come," and the chapter points to the future "appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Timothy 6:191 Timothy 6:14

WrittenTraditional view: about AD 62-64, between Paul's two Roman imprisonments. Scholarly view: many critical scholars date it around AD 80-110, while others defend the earlier date. 1 Timothy overview

HereThe chapter warns that "the love of money is the root of all evil" and that wanting to be rich leads to ruin. This verse shows the rich a better use of wealth: give it away in good works and so gain what lasts. 1 Timothy 6:91 Timothy 6:101 Timothy 6:171 Timothy 6:18

In the whole of ScriptureThe verse echoes Jesus' teaching not to lay up treasures on earth, because "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." It also repeats the call of 6:12 to "lay hold on eternal life." Matthew 6:19Matthew 6:211 Timothy 6:12

For readersMoney cannot be carried out of this world. What lasts is a life of generous good works and trust in God. 1 Timothy 6:71 Timothy 6:171 Timothy 6:19

Christians read this differently

Readers differ on how the good works here relate to eternal life. Some read the verse as saying generous works truly help build up a person's future reward. Others stress that the rich are first told to trust "in the living God." On that reading, good works are the fruit of that trust rather than its basis. 1 Timothy 6:171 Timothy 6:181 Timothy 6:19Galatians 6:8

  • laying up in storeἀποθησαυρίζω
    Greek · apothēsaurizō · G0597

    The word means to treasure up or store away. It turns the language of hoarding wealth around: the rich keep their real treasure by giving theirs away. Strong's G05971 Timothy 6:18Matthew 6:19

  • foundationθεμέλιος
    Greek · themelios · G2310

    This is a foundation stone, used here as a picture. Generosity builds something solid, in contrast to "uncertain riches." Strong's G23101 Timothy 6:172 Timothy 2:19

  • truly (KJV: eternal)ὄντως
    Greek · ontōs · G3689

    The Greek word list behind this verse reads "the life that is truly life." The KJV has "eternal life." The point is that real life is found in God, not in wealth. Strong's G3689Strong's G2222Strong's G1949

  • lay hold onἐπιλαμβάνω
    Greek · epilambanō · G1949

    The word means to take hold of or grasp. It is the same phrase Paul uses for Timothy in 6:12, so the rich are called to the same pursuit as the "man of God." Strong's G19491 Timothy 6:121 Timothy 6:11

Takeaway

Wealth is uncertain, but generosity and good works build a lasting foundation. Real life is grasped by trusting God and giving freely, not by holding on to riches. 1 Timothy 6:171 Timothy 6:181 Timothy 6:19

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-22.

The world around the text

About AD 62-64. Roman emperor: Nero (AD 54-68). Where Timothy was when Paul wrote. A port city on the west coast of today's Turkey and the greatest market of the province of Asia.

Who ruled
  • Roman emperorNeroAD 54-68

    Emperor over the whole Roman world, including Ephesus, Macedonia and Judea. When Paul appealed to Caesar as a Roman citizen, the Caesar was Nero. Paul tells Timothy to have prayers made "for kings, and for all that are in authority." Acts 25:10-12Acts 28:161 Timothy 2:1-2Suetonius, NeroTacitus, Annals 13-16

  • Governor of the province where Ephesus stoodThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms

    Asia was governed by a proconsul, a former consul appointed by the Senate for a year at a time, who heard cases in the province's leading cities. During the riot in Ephesus the town clerk reminded the crowd that "the law is open, and there are deputies" (proconsuls). Acts 19:38-39Strabo, Geography 17.3.25

  • Jewish client kingHerod Agrippa IIc. AD 50-90s

    Ruled territories north and east of Galilee under Rome and had the right to appoint the high priest in Jerusalem. He heard Paul's defense with Festus and told him, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts 25:13Acts 26:28Josephus, Antiquities 20.179, 20.203

  • Roman governors of JudeaFestus, Albinus and Florusc. AD 59-66

    Porcius Festus sent Paul to Rome and died in office around AD 62. Lucceius Albinus (62-64) and Gessius Florus (64-66) followed; Josephus blames Florus's greed and brutality for pushing Judea into revolt. Acts 24:27Acts 25:12Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203, 20.252-258Josephus, Jewish War 2.271-308

  • King of ParthiaVologases Ic. AD 51-78

    Ruler of the Parthian empire east of the Euphrates, Rome's one great rival. He fought Rome over Armenia until a settlement in AD 63 let his brother Tiridates rule Armenia as Rome's client. Tacitus, Annals 15.1-17, 15.24-31Cassius Dio, Roman History 62.19-23

What was happening, AD 58 to AD 68
  1. AD 58-63
    WarRome and Parthia fight over Armenia

    Roman armies under Corbulo took the Armenian capitals Artaxata and Tigranocerta. In AD 62 a second Roman army under Paetus surrendered at Rhandeia, and in AD 63 the two empires made peace. Tacitus, Annals 13.34-41, 14.23-26, 15.1-17, 15.24-31

  2. AD 60
    DisasterEarthquake destroys Laodicea

    Laodicea, about 150 km (95 miles) east of Ephesus in the same province, was ruined by an earthquake and rebuilt from its own wealth without help from Rome. Paul's letters mention the church there, and Revelation later quotes the city's boast, "I am rich." Tacitus, Annals 14.27Colossians 4:13-16Revelation 3:17

  3. AD 60-61
    WarBoudica's revolt in Britain

    Boudica, queen of the Iceni, led a rising that burned Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London) and Verulamium before the Roman governor Suetonius Paulinus defeated her. Tacitus, Annals 14.29-39

  4. c. AD 60-62
    The churchPaul under guard in Rome

    Paul lived two whole years in Rome under house arrest, receiving visitors and preaching openly. The traditional date for 1 Timothy places it soon after his release. Acts 28:16Acts 28:30-31

  5. c. AD 61-63
    DiscoveryNero's expedition up the Nile

    Nero sent a party of soldiers to find the source of the Nile. They travelled far beyond Egypt and reached vast marshes they could not cross, likely the Sudd in today's South Sudan. The date is approximate. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.8.3-4Pliny, Natural History 6.181

  6. AD 62
    The churchJames, the Lord's brother, is killed in Jerusalem

    Festus died in office. Before the next governor arrived, the high priest Ananus had "James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ" and others stoned. Ananus was removed after three months. Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203Galatians 1:19Acts 15:13

  7. AD 62 or 63
    DisasterEarthquake hits Pompeii

    An earthquake badly damaged Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, seventeen years before Vesuvius buried them. Seneca dates it to AD 62; Tacitus to AD 63. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.1Tacitus, Annals 15.22

  8. c. AD 62
    DiscoveryHero of Alexandria's machines

    The engineer Hero of Alexandria, whose work is dated by an eclipse of AD 62 he describes, wrote up a steam-spun sphere (the aeolipile) and a coin-operated machine that dispensed water in temples. Hero, Pneumatics 1.21, 2.11Hero, Dioptra 35

  9. c. AD 63-64
    BuildingJerusalem's temple is finished

    Work on the temple Herod began around 20 BC was completed under Albinus, leaving some 18,000 workers without jobs. Six years later Roman armies destroyed it, as Jesus had foretold. Josephus, Antiquities 20.219-222John 2:20Luke 21:5-6

  10. July AD 64
    DisasterThe Great Fire of Rome

    Fire burned for days. Of Rome's fourteen districts, three were destroyed and seven badly damaged. Nero then built his vast Golden House on the cleared land. Tacitus, Annals 15.38-43Suetonius, Nero 31, 38

  11. AD 64
    The churchNero blames and kills Christians

    To end rumours that he had started the fire, Nero blamed the Christians of Rome. Tacitus records a "vast multitude" put to death, some torn by dogs and some burned as torches. Tacitus, Annals 15.44Suetonius, Nero 16.2

  12. AD 65
    RulersA plot against Nero fails

    The Pisonian conspiracy to kill Nero was betrayed. Among those forced to take their own lives was Seneca, Nero's former tutor and the brother of Gallio, the governor who dismissed the case against Paul in Corinth. Tacitus, Annals 15.48-74Acts 18:12-17

  13. AD 66
    WarThe Jewish revolt begins

    After Florus seized money from the temple treasury, Jerusalem rose against Rome and the daily sacrifice offered for the emperor was stopped. The war ended with Jerusalem and its temple destroyed in AD 70. Josephus, Jewish War 2.293-308, 2.409-410Luke 21:20-24

  14. AD 66-67
    BuildingNero tours Greece and starts a canal at Corinth

    Nero competed in the Greek games and broke ground for a canal across the Isthmus of Corinth. The work stopped after his death; the canal was finally cut in 1893. Suetonius, Nero 19, 22-24

  15. c. AD 67
    The churchPaul's death in Rome

    In his last letter Paul writes from prison that "the time of my departure is at hand." Early Christian tradition says he was beheaded in Rome under Nero. 2 Timothy 4:6-8Eusebius, Church History 2.25

  16. June AD 68
    RulersNero dies

    Facing revolt in the provinces and declared an enemy by the Senate, Nero took his own life. Four emperors ruled in turn during the following year before Vespasian took power. Suetonius, Nero 47-49Tacitus, Histories 1.2

The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then the ancient historians who wrote about these years (Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Seneca, Pliny the Elder, Strabo, Cassius Dio). Dates are as those writers give them; approximate dates say so. Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
treasuring upἀποθησαυρίζονταςapothēsaurizontasG0597
to store up

ἀποθησαυρίζω (apothēsaurizō) ἀπο-θησαυρίζω [in LXX: Sir.3:4 * ;] to treasure up, store away: 1Ti.6:19.† (AS)

for themselvesἑαυτοῖςhe'autoisG1438
/him/herself

αὑτοῦ (ahutou) αὑτοῦ, -ῆς, -οῦ = ἑαυτοῦ (which see), Mat.6:34, Luk.12:17, al. (MM, see word) (AS)

a foundationθεμέλιονthemelionG2310
foundation

θεμέλιος (themelios) θεμέλιος, -ον (τίθημι), [in LXX for אַרְמוֹן, מוֹסָד, etc. ;] of or for a foundation; as subst., ὁ θ. (sc. λίθος), a foundation stone, foundation: Luk.6:48-49 14:29 (but see Deiss., BS, 123); pl., οἰ θ. (cl.), Heb.11:10 Rev.21:14, 19; neut., τὸ θ. (Arist., Phys., vi, 6, 10, LXX and later writers), Act.16:26; metaphorically, Rom.15:20, 1Co.3:10-12 Eph.2:20, 1Ti.6:19, 2Ti.2:19, Heb.6:1.† (AS)

goodκαλὸνkalonG2570G
good

καλλίον (kallion) καλλίων, -ον compar. of καλός, see: καλῶς καλῶς adv. (καλός), [in LXX for parts and derivatives of יָטַב ;] finely, rightly, well: Luk.6:48, 1Co.14:17, Gal.4:17 5:7, Jas.2:3; λέγειν, λαλεῖν, etc., Mat.15:7, Mrk.7:6 12:28, Luk.6:26 20:39, Jhn.4:17 8:48 13:13 18:23, Act.28:25; as exclamation of approval, Mrk.12:32, Rom.11:20; κ. ποιεῖν, Mat.12:12, 1Co.7:37-38 Jas.2:8, 19; with dative of person(s) (cl. accusative; WM, § 32, 1 β), Luk.6:27; with accusative of thing(s), Mrk.7:37; with ptcp., Act.10:33 (M, Pr., 131), Php.4:14, 2Pe.1:19, 3Jn.6; προϊστάναι (-ασθαι), 1Ti.3:4 3:12 5:17; διακονεῖν, 1 …

forεἰςeisG1519
toward

εἰς (eis) εἰς, prep. with accusative, expressing entrance, direction, limit, into, unto, to, upon, towards, for, among (Lat. in, with accusative). I. Of place. 1. After verbs of motion; (a) of entrance into: Mat.8:23, 9:7, Mrk.1:45, Luk.2:15, 8:31, al.; (b) of approach, to or towards: Mrk.11:1, Luk.6:8, 19:28, Jhn.11:31, 21:6, al.; (with) before pl. and collective nouns, among: Mrk.4:7, 8:19, 20, Luk.11:49, Jhn.21:23, al.; …

future,μέλλον,mellonG3195
to ensue

μέλλω (mellō) μέλλω, [in LXX: Job.3:8 (עָתִיד) 19:25 (אַחֲרוֹן); elsewhere for fut., and frequently in Wi, II, 4Mac ;] to be about to be or do; 1. with inf. (Bl., §62, 4; 68, 2; M, Pr., 114); (a) of intending or being about to do of one's own free will: with inf. praes., Mat.2:13, Luk.10:1, Act.3:3 5:35, Heb.8:5, 2Pe.1:12 (Field, Notes, 240), al.; with inf. aor. (Bl., §58, 3), Act.12:6, Rev.3:16; (b) of compulsion, necessity or certainty: with inf. praes., Mat.16:27, Luk.9:31, Jhn.6:71, Rom.4:24, al.; with inf. aor., Rom.8:18, Gal.3:23, Rev.3:2 12:4. …

so thatἵναinaG2443
in order that/to

ἵνα (hina) ἵνα, I. adverb (poët., Hom., al.), 1. of place, where, whither. 2. of circumstance, when. II. Conjunction, 1. prop., final, denoting purpose or end (cl.), that, in order that, usually the first word in the clause, but sometimes (cl. also) preceded by an emphatic word (Act.19:4, Rom.11:31 (?), Gal.2:10, al.); (a) with optative (so in cl. after historic tenses): after a pres., Eph.1:17 (but WH, mg., subjc.; see Burton, §225, Rem., 2); …

they may take holdἐπιλάβωνταιepilabōntaiG1949
to catch

ἐπιλαμβάνω (epilambanō) ἐπι-λαμβάνω [in LXX for חָזַק hi., אָחַז, etc. ;] always mid. in LXX and NT (see Cremer, 758), to lap hold of: with genitive of person(s), Mat.14:31, Act.17:19 21:30, 33; with accusative of person(s) (not cl.), Luk.9:47 14:4 23:26 (WH, but see Bl., 1015), Act.9:27 16:9 18:17; with genitive of thing(s), Mrk.8:23, Act.23:10, Heb.8:9" (LXX) ; with genitive of person(s) and of thing(s), Luk.20:20, 26; τ. αἰωνίου (ὄντως) ζωῆς, 1Ti.6:12 6:19. Metaphorical (as in Sir.4:11), Heb.2:16 (see Westc., in l).† (AS)

[is] trulyὄντωςontōsG3689
really

ὄντως (ontōs) ὄντως adv. (ὤν, ptcp. of εἰμί, sum) [in LXX: Num.22:37 (אׇמְנָם), Jer.3:23 (אָכֵן), Jer.10:19 (אַךְ), 3Ki.12:24, Wis.17:14 * ;] really, actually, truly: Mrk.11:32, Luk.23:47 24:34, Jhn.8:36, 1Co.14:25, Gal.3:21 4:1-31 ἡ ὄ. ζωή, 1Ti.6:19; ἡ ὄ. χήρα, 1Ti.5:3 5:5 5:16 † (AS)

life.ζωῆς.¶zōēsG2222
life

ζωή (zōē) ζωή, -ῆς, ἡ (ζάω), [in LXX chiefly for חַיִּים ;] life (in Hom., Hdt., = βίος, which see; later, existence, vita quâ vivimus, as distinct from βίος, vita quam vivimus; opposite to θάνατος); 1. of natural life: Luk.16:25, Act.8:33, 1Co.15:19, 1Ti.4:8, Heb.7:3, Jas.4:14; πνεῦμα ζωῆς, Rev.11:11; ψυχὴ ζωῆς ( Gen.1:30), Rev.16:3; of the life of one risen from the dead, Rom.5:10, Heb.7:16. …

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.