Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Laying up in store, х apotheesaurizontas (G597)] - 'therefrom;' i:e., from their abundance. [Bengel makes the apo mean laying apart against a future time, Matthew 6:19-20]. This is a treasure which we act wisely in laying up in store; but the wisest thing we can do with earthly treasures is "to distribute," and give others a share (1 Timothy 6:18).
Good foundation - the treasure laid up in certainty contrasted with the uncertainty of riches (note, 1 Timothy 3:13; Luke 6:48; 1 Corinthians 3:11). The sure reversion of the heavenly inheritance: earthly riches scattered in faith lay up in store a sure increase of heavenly riches. We gather by scattering (Proverbs 11:24; Proverbs 13:7; Luke 16:9).
That ... eternal life. 'Aleph (') A Delta G f g, Vulgate read [tees kutees for aiooniou (G166)] 'that which is really life:' joys solid and enduring (Psalms 16:11). The life that now is cannot be called so, its goods being unsubstantial, itself a vapour (James 4:14). In order that ('with their feet on this foundation,' De Wette) 'they may lay hold on that which is life indeed.'