1 Timothy 6:19
What does 1 Timothy 6:19 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 6:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 6:19 means
Generous stewardship lays “up in store” a “good foundation against the time to come,” enabling believers to “lay hold on the life which is life indeed.” The point is not buying heaven but aligning present choices with eternal reality. When wealth serves love, it becomes seed for a harvest that endures. The rich who give are not losing; they are investing in what cannot be taken away. They take hold of true life—not the thin existence defined by possessions, but the deep, joyful participation in God’s purposes. Such living confirms that their hope is in God, and it trains their hearts for the world to come.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life which is life indeed.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life which is life indeed.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Making ready for themselves a safe place for the time to come, so that the true life may be theirs.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862treasuring up to themselves a right foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life age-during.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752To lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the true life.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890laying by for themselves a good foundation for the future, that they may lay hold of [what is] really life.
Context
After urging the rich to be generous and ready to share (verse 18), Paul states the promised outcome in verse 19—future-oriented security and the grasp of true life. This closes the instructions to the wealthy by connecting present stewardship to eternal gain. The letter then turns, in verses 20–21, to a final, personal appeal to Timothy: guard the entrusted deposit and avoid the empty talk and contrarian “knowledge” that has led some astray. The flow thus moves from practical application for a specific group back to the overarching theme of safeguarding the gospel in Ephesus.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 31:25
Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.
- Luke 16:9
And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when it shall fail, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles.
- Galatians 6:8
For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life.
- Matthew 19:21
Jesus said unto him, If thou wouldest be perfect, go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
- Luke 6:48
he is like a man building a house, who digged and went deep, and laid a foundation upon the rock: and when a flood arose, the stream brake against that house, and could not shake it: because it had been well builded.
- Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.
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