Ver. 17. “Charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high-minded.” He has well said, “rich in this world.” For there are others rich in the future world. And this advice he gives, knowing that nothing so generally produces pride and arrogance as wealth. To abate this, therefore, he immediately adds, “Nor trust in uncertain riches”; since that was the source of pride; inasmuch as he who hopes in God, is not elated. Why dost thou place thy hopes upon what is instantly transferable? For such is wealth! and why hopest thou on that of which thou canst not be confident? But you say, how can they avoid being high-minded? By considering the instability and uncertainty of riches, and that hope in God is infinitely more valuable; God being the Author of wealth itself. Ver. 17. “But in the living God,” he says, “who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” This “all things richly” is justly spoken, in reference to the changes of the year, to air, light, water, and other gifts. For how richly and ungrudgingly are all these bestowed! If thou seekest riches, seek those that are stable and enduring, and which are the fruit of good works. He shows that this is his meaning by what follows. Ver. 18. “That they do good,” he says, “that they be rich in good works, ready to distrib- ute, willing to communicate.” The first phrase refers to wealth, the second to charity. For to be willing to communicate, implies that they are sociable and kind. Ver. 19. “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come.” There nothing is uncertain, for the foundation being firm, there is no instability, all is firm, fixed, immovable, fast, and enduring. Ver. 19. “That they may lay hold,” he says, “on eternal life.” For the doing of good works can secure the enjoyment of eternal life. Ver. 20. “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust.” Let it not suffer diminution. It is not thy own. Thou art intrusted with the property of another, do not lessen it. Ver. 20. “Avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called.” Well did he thus call it. For where there is not faith, there is not knowledge; when any- thing springs from our reasonings, it is not knowledge. Or perhaps he says this, because some then assumed the name of Gnostics, as knowing more than others. Ver. 21. “Which some professing have erred concerning the faith.” You see how again he commands Timothy not even to meet them. “Avoiding opposition.” There are therefore oppositions to which we ought not to vouchsafe an answer, because they turn men from faith, and do not suffer one to be firmly established or fixed in it. Let us not then pursue this science, but adhere to faith, that unshaken rock. For neither floods nor winds assailing will be able to harm us, since we stand on the rock immovable. Thus even in this life, if we choose Him, Who is truly the foundation, we stand, and no harm assails 818 1 Timothy 6:13-16