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;
Resuming the subject (1 Timothy 6:5; 1 Timothy 6:10). Ephesus abounded in rich men. The immortality of God, alone rich in glory, and of His people through Him, is opposed to the lust of money (cf. 1 Timothy 6:14-16). From those desiring to be rich, he passes to those who are rich:
(1) What ought to be their disposition;
(2) And use of their riches;
(3) The consequences of so using them.
Rich in this world - contrasted with the rich of the future kingdom, the portion of believers at Christ's "appearing" (1 Timothy 6:14).
High-minded - often characteristic of the rich (see Romans 12:16).
Trust, х eelpikenai (G1679)] - 'to have their trust.'
In, х epi (G1909)] - 'upon ... upon.' ['Aleph (') A G Delta have epi for en (G1722)].
Uncertain riches, х ploutou (G4149) adeeloteeti (G83)] - 'the uncertainty of riches.' Riches are not only uncertain: uncertainty is their very essence. They who rest on riches rest on uncertainty itself (Proverbs 22:5). Now they belong to one, now to another; that which has many masters is possessed by none (Theodoret).
Living God. So Delta. But 'Aleph (') A G omit "living." He who trusts in riches renders them the duty he owes to God (Calvin).
Who giveth, х parechonti (G3930)] - 'affordeth.'
Richly all things - temporal and eternal, for body and soul. To be truly rich, seek to be blessed of, and in, God (Proverbs 10:22; 2 Peter 1:3).
To enjoy - Greek, 'for enjoyment.' Not that the heart may cleave to them as its trust (1 Timothy 4:3). Enjoyment consists in giving, not in holding fast. Non-employment should be far removed, as from man, so from his resources (James 5:2-3) (Bengel). Though we have abundance, yet we have no enjoyment of it, except by God's gift (Ecclesiastes 6:2).