1 Timothy 6:19
treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
treasuring up for themselves
The phrase "treasuring up" comes from the Greek word "thesaurizo," which means to store up or accumulate. In the context of 1 Timothy, it suggests a deliberate and conscious effort to gather spiritual wealth. This is not about material accumulation but about investing in eternal values. The idea is reminiscent of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:20, where believers are encouraged to store up treasures in heaven. The emphasis is on personal responsibility ("for themselves"), indicating that each believer must actively participate in this spiritual endeavor.

a firm foundation
The Greek word for "foundation" is "themelios," which refers to something that is laid down as a base or support. In the ancient world, a firm foundation was crucial for the stability and longevity of a building. Spiritually, this foundation is built on faith, good works, and the teachings of Christ. The imagery here is of a solid, unshakeable base that can withstand the trials and challenges of life. This foundation is not just for the present but is intended to support the believer's future spiritual journey.

for the future
The phrase "for the future" points to the eschatological hope that Christians hold. It is a reminder that life on earth is temporary and that believers should live with an eternal perspective. The future here is not just a distant time but the coming age when God's kingdom will be fully realized. This forward-looking view encourages believers to live in a way that aligns with their eternal destiny, focusing on what truly matters in the long run.

so that they may take hold
The Greek word "epilambanomai" is used here, meaning to seize or grasp. It conveys a sense of urgency and intentionality. The idea is that believers must actively pursue and embrace the life that God offers. This is not a passive reception but an active engagement with the divine life. It suggests a dynamic relationship with God, where believers are continually reaching out to experience the fullness of life in Christ.

of that which is truly life
The phrase "truly life" contrasts with the temporary and often deceptive nature of earthly life. The Greek word "ontos" emphasizes the reality and authenticity of this life. It is a life that is rooted in the eternal, characterized by a deep and abiding relationship with God. This life is not just about existence but about living in the fullness of God's presence and purpose. It is the abundant life that Jesus promised in John 10:10, a life that transcends the physical and temporal, offering joy, peace, and fulfillment in Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who authored the letter to Timothy, providing guidance and instruction for church leadership and Christian living.

2. Timothy
A young pastor and protégé of Paul, serving in Ephesus, who is the recipient of this epistle.

3. Ephesus
The city where Timothy was ministering, known for its diverse culture and significant challenges to early Christian teachings.

4. Early Church
The community of believers in the first century, navigating the complexities of living out their faith in a predominantly pagan society.
Teaching Points
Eternal Perspective
Christians are encouraged to focus on eternal rewards rather than temporary earthly gains. This perspective helps prioritize spiritual growth and service.

Firm Foundation
The Greek word for "foundation" (themelios) implies stability and permanence. Believers are called to build their lives on the unshakeable foundation of Christ and His teachings.

True Life
The phrase "that which is truly life" suggests that genuine life is found in Christ and His promises, not in material wealth or achievements.

Generosity and Good Works
The context of 1 Timothy 6:19 involves instructions on generosity. Christians are to be rich in good deeds, which contribute to their eternal foundation.

Future Hope
The "future" refers to the eternal life promised to believers. This hope should motivate present actions and decisions.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of a "firm foundation" in 1 Timothy 6:19 influence your daily priorities and decisions?

2. In what ways can you "store up treasures in heaven" through your actions and lifestyle?

3. How does understanding "true life" as described in this verse change your perspective on material possessions and success?

4. Reflect on a time when focusing on eternal rewards helped you overcome a challenge. How can this perspective be applied to current situations?

5. How do the teachings in 1 Timothy 6:19 align with Jesus' instructions in the Sermon on the Mount regarding wealth and priorities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 6:19-21
Jesus speaks about storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, emphasizing the eternal value of spiritual investments.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15
Paul discusses building on the foundation of Christ, highlighting the importance of works that endure.

James 2:14-17
James emphasizes that faith without works is dead, aligning with the idea of laying a firm foundation through righteous living.

Hebrews 11:1
Faith is described as the assurance of things hoped for, which connects to the idea of a "firm foundation for the future."
The Conduct that Secures the Real LifeAlexander Maclaren1 Timothy 6:19
A Word of Admonition and Encouragement to the RichT. Croskery 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Doing GoodC. H. Spurgeon.1 Timothy 6:17-19
God the Giver of Wealth1 Timothy 6:17-19
Human Affections Raised, not Destroyed, by the GospelW. A. Butler.1 Timothy 6:17-19
Live for Some PurposeJ. A. James.1 Timothy 6:17-19
The Duties of the RichT. Seeker.1 Timothy 6:17-19
The Opportunity of Doing GoodJohn Keble.1 Timothy 6:17-19
The Perils and Possibilities of the RichA. Rowland, LL. B.1 Timothy 6:17-19
Trust in God, and not in RichesAlex. Reid.1 Timothy 6:17-19
Parting WordsR. Finlayson 1 Timothy 6:17-21
People
Paul, Philemon, Pilate, Timotheus, Timothy
Places
Ephesus
Topics
Age, Age-during, Eternal, Firm, Foundation, Future, Hold, Indeed, Lay, Laying, Making, Ready, Really, Safe, Solid, Store, Storing, Theirs, Themselves, Thus, Treasure, Treasuring, Truly
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Timothy 6:19

     1462   truth, in NT
     4018   life, spiritual
     5204   age
     5967   thrift
     8813   riches, spiritual

1 Timothy 6:17-19

     4030   world, behaviour in
     5503   rich, the
     8442   good works
     8780   materialism, and sin
     8811   riches, attitudes to

1 Timothy 6:18-19

     5317   foundation
     9413   heaven, inheritance

Library
The Conduct that Secures the Real Life
'Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.'--1 TIM. vi. 19. In the first flush of the sense of brotherhood, the Church of Jerusalem tried the experiment of having all things in common. It was not a success, it was soon abandoned, it never spread. In the later history of the Church, and especially in these last Pauline letters, we see clearly that distinctions of pecuniary position were very definitely marked amongst the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

One Witness, Many Confessors
'Thou . . . hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 13. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession, 14. That thou keep this commandment. . . .'--1 TIM. vi. 12-14. You will observe that 'a good confession,' or rather 'the good confession,' is said here to have been made both by Timothy and by Christ. But you will observe also that whilst the subject-matter is the same, the action
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

August the Thirty-First the Real Gains and Losses
"Godliness with contentment is great gain." --1 TIMOTHY vi. 6-16. And so I must go into my heart if I would make a true estimate of my gains and losses. The calculation is not to be made in my bank-books, or as I stride over my broad acres, or inspect my well-filled barns. These are the mere outsides of things, and do not enter into the real balance-sheet of my life. We can no more estimate the success of a life by methods like these than we can adjudge an oil-painting by the sense of smell. What
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Temporal Advantages.
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."--1 Tim. vi. 7, 8. Every age has its own special sins and temptations. Impatience with their lot, murmuring, grudging, unthankfulness, discontent, are sins common to men at all times, but I suppose one of those sins which belongs to our age more than to another, is desire of a greater portion of worldly goods than God has given us,--ambition and covetousness
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

Fighting Holiness
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life.' (1 Timothy vi. 12.) My object, in announcing 'Fighting Holiness' as my subject, is to make it quite clear that a Full Salvation does not mean a hot-house emotionalism or glass-case sanctity, but a vigorous, daring, aggressive religion, on the lines of the Saviour's words, 'The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force'. If this text, 'Fight the good fight of faith', means anything at all, it means you must
T. H. Howard—Standards of Life and Service

A Plain Description of the Essence and Attributes of God, Out of the Holy Scripture, So Far as Every Christian must Competently Know, and Necessarily Believe, that Will be Saves.
Although no creature can define what God is, because he is incomprehensible (Psal. cxliii. 3) and dwelling in inaccessible light (1 Tim. vi. 16); yet it has pleased his majesty to reveal himself to us in his word, so far as our weak capacity can best conceive him. Thus: God is that one spiritual and infinitely perfect essence, whose being is of himself eternally (Deut. i. 4; iv. 35; xxxii. 39; vi. 4; Isa. xlv. 5-8; 1 Cor. viii. 4; Eph. iv. 5, 6; 1 Tim. ii. 5; John iv. 24; 2 Cor. iii. 17; 1 Kings
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Final Settlement of the Church by St. John
A.D. 67-100 It seems probable that most of the Apostles had entered into rest before the Destruction of Jerusalem, A.D. 70, and that St. John the Divine was the only one of the Apostolic body who long survived that event. [Sidenote: St. Peter began to found the Church, St. John completed its foundation.] To St. Peter, one of the "pillars" of the Church, it had been given to begin the great work of laying the foundation of the Mystical Temple of God; to St. John, the other of the two, was allotted
John Henry Blunt—A Key to the Knowledge of Church History

Spoken in Antioch in the Old Church, as it was Called...
Spoken in Antioch in the Old Church, as it was called, while he was a presbyter, on the subject of the calamity that had befallen the city in consequence of the tumult connected with the overthrow of the Statues of the Emperor Theodosius, the Great and Pious. And on the saying of the Apostle, "Charge them that are rich that they be not high-minded," 1 Timothy vi. 17. And against covetousness. 1. What shall I say, or what shall I speak of? The present season is one for tears, and not for words; for
St. Chrysostom—On the Priesthood

Exposition of St. Paul's Words. --1 Tim. vi. 20.
Exposition of St. Paul's Words.--1 Tim. vi. 20. [51.] Such being the case, when I think over these things, and revolve them in my mind again and again, I cannot sufficiently wonder at the madness of certain men, at the impiety of their blinded understanding, at their lust of error, such that, not content with the rule of faith delivered once for all, and received from the times of old, they are every day seeking one novelty after another, and are constantly longing to add, change, take away, in religion,
Vincent of Lérins—The COMMONITORY OF Vincent of Lérins

A More Particular Exposition of 1 Tim. ...
A more particular Exposition of 1 Tim. vi. 20. [53.] But it is worth while to expound the whole of that passage of the apostle more fully, "O Timothy, keep the deposit, avoiding profane novelties of words." "O!" The exclamation implies fore-knowledge as well as charity. For he mourned in anticipation over the errors which he foresaw. Who is the Timothy of to-day, but either generally the Universal Church, or in particular, the whole body of The Prelacy, whom it behoves either themselves to possess
Vincent of Lérins—The COMMONITORY OF Vincent of Lérins

Continuation of the Exposition of 1 Tim. ...
Continuation of the Exposition of 1 Tim. vi. 20. [60.] But let us return to the apostle. "O Timothy," he says, "Guard the deposit, shunning profane novelties of words." "Shun them as you would a viper, as you would a scorpion, as you would a basilisk, lest they smite you not only with their touch, but even with their eyes and breath." What is "to shun"? Not even to eat [502] with a person of this sort. What is "shun"? "If anyone," says St. John, "come to you and bring not this doctrine. What doctrine?
Vincent of Lérins—The COMMONITORY OF Vincent of Lérins

The Light of Glory.
Having, in the foregoing chapters, endeavored to form an idea of heaven's happiness, we must now endeavor to understand something of the different degrees in which each one of the blessed enjoys that unspeakable beatitude. It is an article of faith that every one in heaven, except baptized infants, is rewarded according to his own personal merits, acquired in this life by the assistance of God's grace. Baptized children, who die before they reach the age of discretion, are admitted into heaven, in
F. J. Boudreaux—The Happiness of Heaven

Wherefore Even they which Having Relinquished or Distributed their Former...
33. Wherefore even they which having relinquished or distributed their former, whether ample or in any sort opulent, means, have chosen with pious and wholesome humility to be numbered among the poor of Christ; if they be so strong in body and free from ecclesiastical occupations, (albeit, bringing as they do so great a proof of their purpose, and conferring from their former havings, either very much, or not a little, upon the indigence of the same society, the common fund itself and brotherly charity
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

How Servants and Masters are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 6). Differently to be admonished are servants and masters. Servants, to wit, that they ever keep in view the humility of their condition; but masters, that they lose not recollection of their nature, in which they are constituted on an equality with servants. Servants are to be admonished that they despise not their masters, lest they offend God, if by behaving themselves proudly they gainsay His ordinance: masters, too, are to be admonished, that they are proud against God with respect
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

How the Poor and the Rich Should be Admonished.
(Admonition 3.) Differently to be admonished are the poor and the rich: for to the former we ought to offer the solace of comfort against tribulation, but in the latter to induce fear as against elation. For to the poor one it is said by the Lord through the prophet, Fear not, for thou shalt not be confounded (Isai. liv. 4). And not long after, soothing her, He says, O thou poor little one, tossed with tempest (Ibid. 11). And again He comforts her, saying, I have chosen thee in the furnace of
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Conflict and Comfort.
"For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ."--COL. ii. 1, 2. Although he was in prison the Apostle was constantly at work for his Master, and not least of all at the work of prayer. If ever the words
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God," &C.
Matt. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God," &c. O "seekest thou great things for thyself," says God to Baruch, (Jer. xlv. 5) "seek them not." How then doth he command us in the text to seek a kingdom? Is not this a great thing? Certainly it is greater than those great things he would not have Baruch to seek after, and yet he charges us to seek after it. In every kind of creatures there is some difference, some greater, some lesser, some higher, some lower; so there are some men far above
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Letter Xlvii to the Brother of William, a Monk of Clairvaux.
To the Brother of William, a Monk of Clairvaux. [74] Bernard, after having made a striking commendation of religious poverty, reproaches in him an affection too great for worldly things, to the detriment of the poor and of his own soul, so that he preferred to yield them up only to death, rather than for the love of Christ. 1. Although you are unknown to me by face, and although distant from me in body, yet you are my friend, and this friendship between us makes you to be present and familiar to
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

A Few Sighs from Hell;
or, The Groans of the Damned Soul: or, An Exposition of those Words in the Sixteenth of Luke, Concerning the Rich Man and the Beggar WHEREIN IS DISCOVERED THE LAMENTABLE STATE OF THE DAMNED; THEIR CRIES, THEIR DESIRES IN THEIR DISTRESSES, WITH THE DETERMINATION OF GOD UPON THEM. A GOOD WARNING WORD TO SINNERS, BOTH OLD AND YOUNG, TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BETIMES, AND TO SEEK, BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, TO AVOID, LEST THEY COME INTO THE SAME PLACE OF TORMENT. Also, a Brief Discourse touching the
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

"For to be Carnally Minded is Death; but to be Spiritually Minded is Life and Peace. "
Rom. viii. 6.--"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." It is true, this time is short, and so short that scarce can similitudes or comparisons be had to shadow it out unto us. It is a dream, a moment, a vapour, a flood, a flower, and whatsoever can be more fading or perishing; and therefore it is not in itself very considerable, yet in another respect it is of all things the most precious, and worthy of the deepest attention and most serious consideration;
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Age of the Apostles (Ad 33-100)
The beginning of the Christian Church is reckoned from the great day on which the Holy Ghost came down, according as our Lord had promised to His Apostles. At that time, "Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven," were gathered together at Jerusalem, to keep the Feast of Pentecost (or Feast of Weeks), which was one of the three holy seasons at which God required His people to appear before Him in the place which He had chosen (Deuteronomy xvi. 16). Many of these devout men there converted
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

"But we are all as an Unclean Thing, and all Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags,"
Isaiah lxiv 6, 7.--"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags," &c. This people's condition agreeth well with ours, though the Lord's dealing be very different. The confessory part of this prayer belongeth to us now; and strange it is, that there is such odds of the Lord's dispensations, when there is no difference in our conditions; always we know not how soon the complaint may be ours also. This prayer was prayed long before the judgment and captivity came
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Unchangeableness of God
The next attribute is God's unchangeableness. I am Jehovah, I change not.' Mal 3:3. I. God is unchangeable in his nature. II. In his decree. I. Unchangeable in his nature. 1. There is no eclipse of his brightness. 2. No period put to his being. [1] No eclipse of his brightness. His essence shines with a fixed lustre. With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.' James 1:17. Thou art the same.' Psa 102:27. All created things are full of vicissitudes. Princes and emperors are subject to
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

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