Bible Strands
1 Timothy 6:17
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Timothy, directing how he should address wealthy members of the Ephesian congregation. The instruction sits between a doxology on God's immortality (6:16) and a call to generosity (6:18).
The words — παρὰγγελλε (parangelle) is a military-grade imperative, "command" or "instruct firmly," not a gentle suggestion; it marks this as a standing order for church leadership.
The thread — Proverbs 11:28 warns that trust in riches ends in a fall, and Matthew 19:23 calls it hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom; both converge on the same instability Paul names here.
Why it lands — The verse does not condemn wealth but relocates the reader's hope: security and provision belong to God, and wealth is a gift to be used, not a foundation to be trusted.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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;
Cross-references
- Proverbs 11:28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.
- Acts 14:17 Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”
- Matthew 19:23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
- Proverbs 27:24 for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.
- 1 Timothy 4:10 To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe.
- James 1:9 The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position.
- Jeremiah 9:23 This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.
- Proverbs 30:9 Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.
- Jeremiah 17:7 But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.
- Deuteronomy 8:17 You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.”