1 Timothy · Chapter 6
1 Timothy 6:17 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;"
KJV · King James Version
"Charge3853 them that are rich4145 in1722 this3568 world165, that they be5309 not3361 highminded5309, nor3366 trust1679 in1909 uncertain83 riches4149, but235 in1722 the living2198 God2316, who3588 giveth3930 us2254 richly4146 all things3956 to1519 enjoy619; uncertain: Gr. uncertainty of riches"
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses them, highminded, trust, uncertain, while the WEB renders these as those, present, haughty, have. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
1 Timothy 6:17 in 1 Timothy 6
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is 1 Timothy 6:17 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of 1 Timothy 6. Read the full chapter →
- v.15 which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
- v.16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.
- v.17 Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;
- v.18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
- v.19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.
Book background
About the Book of 1 Timothy
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- Pauline epistle
- Author
- Paul
- Date written
- c. 62–64 AD
- Audience
- Timothy, Paul's young protégé pastoring at Ephesus
- Chapters
- 6
1 Timothy is a pastoral handbook — instructions on confronting false teaching, qualifications for elders and deacons, the conduct of public worship, the care of widows, and personal holiness for a young pastor. Its declaration that "godliness with contentment is great gain" (6:6) defines Paul's spiritual economy.
Setting: A pastoral letter on leading a healthy church.
Key themes: leadership · sound doctrine · worship · church order · godliness
Memorisation aid
How to memorise 1 Timothy 6:17
1 Timothy 6:17 contains 37 words in 4 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty
CTWARI
- 2
nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches
NHTHSO
- 3
but on the living God
BOTLG
- 4
who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;
WRPUWE
Frequently asked
FAQ about 1 Timothy 6:17
What does 1 Timothy 6:17 say?
1 Timothy 6:17 reads: "Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;" — from the New Testament, 1 Timothy (Pauline epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is 1 Timothy 6:17 in?
1 Timothy 6:17 is in the book of 1 Timothy, traditionally attributed to Paul and written around c. 62–64 AD. 1 Timothy is pauline epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to Timothy, Paul's young protégé pastoring at Ephesus. Best known for qualifications for church leaders and "godliness with contentment is great gain".
What is the difference between 1 Timothy 6:17 in WEB and KJV?
1 Timothy 6:17 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "Charge3853 them that are rich4145 in1722 this3568 world165, that they be5309 not3361 highminded5309, nor3366 trust1679 in1909 uncertain83 riches4149, but235 in1722 the living2198 God2316, who3588 giveth3930 us2254 richly4146 all things3956 to1519 enjoy619; uncertain: Gr. uncertainty of riches". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is 1 Timothy 6:17?
1 Timothy 6:17 is 37 words in the WEB translation (199 characters), broken into 4 clauses. It is a longer verse, often broken into smaller phrases for memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 11 seconds.
How can I memorise 1 Timothy 6:17?
To memorise 1 Timothy 6:17, split it into its 4 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does 1 Timothy 6:17 matter in 1 Timothy?
1 Timothy is a pastoral handbook — instructions on confronting false teaching, qualifications for elders and deacons, the conduct of public worship, the care of widows, and personal holiness for a young pastor. Its declaration that "godliness with contentment is great gain" (6:6) defines Paul's spiritual economy. 1 Timothy 6:17 sits within this larger story — 1 Timothy as a whole emphasises leadership, sound doctrine, worship.
How can I apply 1 Timothy 6:17 today?
Many readers use 1 Timothy 6:17 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download 1 Timothy 6:17 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
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10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
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John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
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Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
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Psalm 23:1
“Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
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Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a latter end.”
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Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
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1 John 4:8
“He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.”
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1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not pr…”
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Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and no…”
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Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
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Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.”
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More featured verses in 1 Timothy 6
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1 Timothy 4:12
“Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.”
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1 Timothy 2:1
“I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men:”
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1 Timothy 1:7
“desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm.”
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