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 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 not true science, or real knowledge, or it would approve the gospel, and consent to it. Those who advance reason above faith, are in danger of leaving faith. Grace includes all that is good, and grace is an earnest, a beginning of glory; wherever God gives grace, he will give glory.

21. Which some professing—namely, professing these oppositions of science falsely so called.

erred—(See on [2487]1Ti 1:6; [2488]1Ti 2:11)—literally, "missed the mark" (2Ti 3:7, 8). True sagacity is inseparable from faith.

Grace—Greek, "the grace," namely, of God, for which we Christians look, and in which we stand [Alford].

be with thee—He restricts the salutation to Timothy, as the Epistle was not to be read in public [Bengel]. But the oldest manuscripts read, "be with you"; and the "thee" may be a transcriber's alteration to harmonize with 2Ti 4:22; Tit 3:15.

Amen—omitted in the oldest manuscripts.