1 Timothy 6:9

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Timothy 6:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition.
1 Timothy 6:9 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Timothy 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But they that will be rich, etc.] Not they that are rich; for some rich men are good men; and do much good with their riches; and are as free from temptations and snares, and foolish and hurtful lusts, as other persons, as Abraham, Joseph of Arimathea, Gaius, and others were; but such that would be rich, who labour after, make haste for it, and are resolved upon it, at any rate, right or wrong, as there be thousands, who never attain to it; so that the apostle does not point at rich men particularly, but at such who are determined to be rich, whether they ever are so or not: these fall into temptation; not in such sense in which the phrase is used in (<590102>James 1:2) but in such sense as…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“will be rich--have more than "food and raiment." Greek, "wish to be rich"; not merely are willing, but are resolved, and earnestly desire to have riches at any cost (Pro 28:20, Pro 28:22). This wishing (not the riches themselves) is fatal to "contentment" (Ti1 6:6). Rich men are not told to cast away their riches, but not to "trust" in them, and to "do good" with them (Ti1 6:17-18; Psa 62:10). fall into temptation--not merely "are exposed to temptation," but actually "fall into" it. The falling into it is what we are to pray against, "Lead us not into temptation" (Jam 1:14); such a one is already in a sinful state, even before any overt act of sin. The Greek for "temptation" and "gain"…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But they that will be rich - Further to enforce the duty of contentment, the apostle refers to some of the evils which necessarily attend a desire to be rich. Those evils have been so great and uniform in all ages, and are so necessary accompaniments of that desire, that, even amidst many inconveniences which may attend the opposite condition, we should he contented with our lot. Indeed, if we could see all, it would only be necessary to see the evils which the desire of wealth produces in the world, to make us contented with a most lowly condition of life. Perhaps nothing more would be necessary to make a poor man satisfied with his lot, and grateful for it, than to be acquainted with the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“They that desire to be rich - To have more than these; for then they would be so far rich; and the very desire banishes content, and exposes them to ruin. Fall - plunge - A sad gradation! Into temptation - Miserable food for the soul! And a snare - Or trap. Dreadful "covering!" And into many foolish and hurtful desires - Which are sown and fed by having more than we need. Then farewell all hope of content! What then remains, but destruction for the body, and perdition for the soul? 1 Timothy 6:10”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they: Gen 13:10-13; Num 22:17-19; Jos 7:11; Kg2 5:20-27; Pro 15:27, Pro 20:21; Pro 21:6, Pro 22:16, Pro 28:20-22; Isa 5:8; Hos 12:7, Hos 12:8; Amo 8:4-6; Zac 11:5; Mat 13:22, Mat 19:22, Mat 26:15; Jam 5:1-4; Pe2 2:15, Pe2 2:16; Jde 1:11 snare: Ti1 3:7; Deu 7:25; Psa 11:6; Pro 1:17-19; Luk 21:35; Ti2 2:26 many: Mar 4:19; Eph 4:22; Jo1 2:15-17 which: Ti1 1:9; Num 31:8; Jos 7:24-26; Mat 27:3-5; Act 5:4, Act 5:5, Act 8:20; Pe2 2:3 1 Timothy 6:10”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification