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Selected Verse: 1 Timothy 6:9 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
1Ti 6:9	Strong Concordance	But [1161] they that will [1014] be rich [4147] fall [1706] into [1519] temptation [3986] and [2532] a snare [3803], and [2532] into many [4183] foolish [453] and [2532] hurtful [983] lusts [1939], which [3748] drown [1036] men [444] in [1519] destruction [3639] and [2532] perdition [684].
	King James	But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
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" contains a play on sounds--porasmus, peirasmus. snare--a further step downwards (Ti1 3:7). He falls into "the snare of the devil." foolish--irrational. hurtful--to those who fall into the snare. Compare Eph 4:22, "deceitful lusts" which deceive to one's deadly hurt. lusts--With the one evil lust ("wish to be rich") many others join themselves: the one is the "root of all evils" (Ti1 6:10). which--Greek, "whatever (lusts)." drown--an awful descending climax from "fall into"; this is the last step in the terrible descent (Jam 1:15); translated "sink," Luk 5:7. destruction . . . perdition--destruction in general (temporal or eternal), and perdition in particular, namely, that of body and soul in hell.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

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" contains a play on sounds--porasmus, peirasmus.

snare--a further step downwards (Ti1 3:7). He falls into "the snare of the devil."

foolish--irrational.

hurtful--to those who fall into the snare. Compare Eph 4:22, "deceitful lusts" which deceive to one's deadly hurt.

lusts--With the one evil lust ("wish to be rich") many others join themselves: the one is the "root of all evils" (Ti1 6:10).

which--Greek, "whatever (lusts)."

drown--an awful descending climax from "fall into"; this is the last step in the terrible descent (Jam 1:15); translated "sink," Luk 5:7.

destruction . . . perdition--destruction in general (temporal or eternal), and perdition in particular, namely, that of body and soul in hell.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
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 perplexities and cares of a rich man. There is more emphasis to be placed on the word will, here, in the phrase, "will be rich," than might be supposed from our translation. It is not the sign of the future tense, but implies an actual "purpose" or "design" to become rich - οἱ βουλόμενοι hoi boulomenoi. The reference is to those in whom this becomes the object of earnest desire, and who lay their plans for it. Fall into temptation - That is, they are tempted to do wicked things in order to accomplish their purposes. It is extremely difficult to cherish the desire to be rich, as the leading purpose of the soul, and to he an honest man. And a snare - Birds are taken in a snare, and wild beasts were formerly; see the notes on Job 18:8-9. The net was sprung suddenly upon them, and they could not escape. The idea here is, that they who have this desire become so entangled, that they cannot easily escape. They become involved in the meshes of worldliness and sin; their movements are so fettered by cares, and inordinate desires, and by artificial needs, that they are no longer freemen. They become so involved in these things, that they cannot well break away from them if they would; compare Pro 28:20. And into many foolish and hurtful lusts - Desires, such as the love of wealth creates. They are foolish - as being not such as an intelligent and immortal being should pursue; and they are hurtful - as being injurious to morals, to health, and to the soul. Among those desires, are the fondness for display; for a magnificent dwelling, a train of menials, and a splendid equipage; for sumptuous living, feasting, the social glass, company, and riotous dissipation. Which drown men in destruction and perdition - The word which is here rendered, "drown" - βυθίζω buthizō - means, to "sink in the" deep, or, "to cause to sink;" and the meaning here is, that they become submerged as a ship that sinks. The idea of drowning is not properly that of the apostle, but the image is that of a wreck, where a ship and all that is in it go down together. The destruction is complete. There is a total ruin of happiness, of virtue, of reputation, and of the soul. The ruling desire to be rich leads on a train of follies which ruins everything here, and hereafter. How many of the human family have thus been destroyed!

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
They that will be rich (οἱ βουλόμενοι πλουτεῖν) Better, they that desire to be rich. It is not the possession of riches, but the love of them that leads men into temptation. Fall (ἐμπίπτουσιν) oP. Lit. fall into; but invariably in N.T. with εἰς into. Temptation (πειρασμὸν) See on Mat 6:13. Foolish (ἀνοήτους) Foolish answers to several words in N.T., ἀνοήτος, ἀσύνετος, ἄφρων, μωρός. Ἁνοήτος not understanding; a want of proper application of the moral judgment or perception, as Luk 24:25, note; Gal 3:1, note. Ἄφρων is senseless, stupid, of images, beasts. Comp. Luk 12:20, note. Ἁσύνετος approaches the meaning of ἀνοήτος unintelligent. See Sir. 22:13, 15; 27:12. It also implies a moral sense, wicked, Wisd. 1:5; 11:15; Sir. 15:7. On the etymological sense, see on Mat 11:25; see on Mar 12:33; see on Luk 2:47. Μωρός is without forethought, as Mat 7:26; Mat 25:3; without learning, as Co1 1:27; Co1 3:18; with a moral sense, empty, useless, Ti2 2:23; Tit 3:9; and impious, godless, Mat 5:22; Psa 94:8; Jer 5:21. Hurtful (βλαβεράς) N.T.o. lxx once, Pro 10:26. Drown (βυθίζουσι) Only here and Luk 5:7, note. A strong expression of the results of avarice. Destruction (ὄλεθρον) See on Th1 1:9, and additional note. Perdition (ἀπώλειαν) It is unsafe to distinguish between ὄλεθρος destruction in general, and ἀπώλεια as pointing mainly to destruction of the soul. Ἁπώλεια sometimes of spiritual destruction, as Phi 1:28; but also of destruction and waste in general, as Mar 14:4; Act 8:20. One is reminded of Virgil, Aen. iii. 56: "Quid non mortalia pectora cogis, Auri sacra fames?"

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
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?

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
But they that will be rich - Οἱ δε βουλομενοι πλουτειν. The words are emphatic, and refer to persons who are determined to get riches; who make this their object and aim in life; who live to get money; who get all they can, save all they can, and keep all they get; and yet are apprehensive of no danger, because they seek to be rich by honest means; for it is likely that the apostle does not refer to those who wish to get riches by robbery, plunder, extortion, etc. By the term rich it is very likely that the apostle refers to what he had said above: Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. He that has more than these is rich in the sense in which the apostle uses the term. Fall into temptation and a snare - Του διαβολου, Of the devil, is added by D*FG, Vulgate, Itala, and many of the fathers. It is in consequence of the temptation of the devil that they have determined to be rich; this temptation once received, others quickly succeed: and when they have swallowed down the temptation to the thing, then they drink in a thousand temptations to the means; and all these lead them εις παγιδα, into an unforeseen and concealed trap. Παγις signifies a net, trap, gin, snare, spring, or pit dug in the ground filled with sharp stakes, and slightly covered over; so that when a man, or any animal, steps upon it, he tumbles in, and is taken or destroyed. Such a snare is that into which those who will be rich must necessarily fall. But who will believe this? See on Ti1 6:10 (note) And into many foolish and hurtful lusts - The whole conduct of such a person is a tissue of folly; scraping, gathering, and heaping up riches, and scarcely affording to take the necessaries of life out of them for himself. These lusts or desires are not only foolish, but they are hurtful; the mind is debased and narrowed by them; benevolent and generous feelings become extinct; charity perishes; and selfishness, the last and lowest principle in mental degradation, absorbs the soul; for these foolish and hurtful lusts drown men in destruction and perdition - the soul is destroyed by them here, and brought through them into a state of perdition hereafter. The apostle considers these persons like mariners in a storm; by the concurrence of winds, waves, and tide, they are violently driven among the rocks, the vessel is dashed to pieces, and in a moment they are all ingulfed in the great deep! Such is the lot and unavoidable catastrophe of them that will be rich, even though they should strive to accomplish their desires by means the most rigidly honest. In this place I beg leave to refer the reader to a sermon on this text by the late Rev. John Wesley, in which the whole of this subject is treated by the hand of a master; and, for usefulness, the sermon is superior to every thing of the kind ever published. It is entitled, The Danger of Riches; and is found in his Works, Vol. 2, page 248, American edit.

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⁷ And [2532] they beckoned [2656] unto their partners [3353], which [3588] were in [1722] the other [2087] ship [4143], that they should come [2064] and help [4815] them [846]. And [2532] they came [2064], and [2532] filled [4130] both [297] the ships [4143], so [5620] that they [846] began to sink [1036].

¹⁵ Then [1534] when lust [1939] hath conceived [4815], it bringeth forth [5088] sin [266]: and [1161] sin [266], when it is finished [658], bringeth forth [616] death [2288].

¹⁰ For [1063] the love of money [5365] is [2076] the root [4491] of all [3956] evil [2556]: which [3739] while some [5100] coveted after [3713], they have erred [635] from [575] the faith [4102], and [2532] pierced [4044] themselves [1438] through [4044] with many [4183] sorrows [3601].

²² That ye [5209] put off [659] concerning [2596] the former [4387] conversation [391] the old [3820] man [444], which [3588] is corrupt [5351] according [2596] to the deceitful [539] lusts [1939];

⁷ Moreover [1161] [2532] he [846] must [1163] have [2192] a good [2570] report [3141] of [575] them which are without [1855]; lest [3363] he fall [1706] into [1519] reproach [3680] and [2532] the snare [3803] of the devil [1228].

¹⁴ But [1161] every man [1538] is tempted [3985], when he is drawn away [1828] of [5259] his own [2398] lust [1939], and [2532] enticed [1185].

¹⁰ Trust [0982] not in oppression [06233], and become not vain [01891] in robbery [01498]: if riches [02428] increase [05107], set [07896] not your heart [03820] upon them.

¹⁷ Charge [3853] them that are rich [4145] in [1722] this [3568] world [165], that they be [5309] not [3361] highminded [5309], nor [3366] trust [1679] in [1909] uncertain [83] riches [4149], but [235] in [1722] the living [2198] God [2316], who [3588] giveth [3930] us [2254] richly [4146] all things [3956] to [1519] enjoy [619];
¹⁸ That they do good [14], that they be rich [4147] in [1722] good [2570] works [2041], ready to distribute [1511] [2130], willing to communicate [2843];

⁶ But [1161] godliness [2150] with [3326] contentment [841] is [2076] great [3173] gain [4200].

²² He [0376] that hasteth [0926] to be rich [01952] hath an evil [07451] eye [05869], and considereth [03045] not that poverty [02639] shall come [0935] upon him.

²⁰ A faithful [0530] man [0376] shall abound [07227] with blessings [01293]: but he that maketh haste [0213] to be rich [06238] shall not be innocent [05352].

⁸ For he is cast [07971] into a net [07568] by his own feet [07272], and he walketh [01980] upon a snare [07639].
⁹ The gin [06341] shall take [0270] him by the heel [06119], and the robber [06782] shall prevail [02388] against him.

²⁰ But [1161] Peter [4074] said [2036] unto [4314] him [846], Thy [4675] money [694] perish [1498] [1519] [684] with [4862] thee [4671], because [3754] thou hast thought [3543] that the gift [1431] of God [2316] may be purchased [2932] with [1223] money [5536].

⁴ And [1161] there were [2258] some [5100] that had indignation [23] within [4314] themselves [1438], and [2532] said [3004], Why [1519] [5101] was [1096] this [3778] waste [684] of the ointment [3464] made [1096]?

²⁸ And [2532] in [1722] nothing [3367] [3361] terrified [4426] by [5259] your adversaries [480]: which [3748] is [2076] to them [846] [3303] an evident token [1732] of perdition [684], but [1161] to you [5213] of salvation [4991], and [2532] that [5124] of [575] God [2316].

⁹ For [1063] they [518] themselves [846] shew [518] of [4012] us [2257] what manner [3697] of entering in [1529] we had [2192] [2192] unto [4314] you [5209], and [2532] how [4459] ye turned [1994] to [4314] God [2316] from [575] idols [1497] to serve [1398] the living [2198] and [2532] true [228] God [2316];

²⁶ As vinegar [02558] to the teeth [08127], and as smoke [06227] to the eyes [05869], so is the sluggard [06102] to them that send [07971] him.

²¹ Hear [08085] now this, O foolish [05530] people [05971], and without understanding [03820]; which have eyes [05869], and see [07200] not; which have ears [0241], and hear [08085] not:

⁸ Understand [0995], ye brutish [01197] among the people [05971]: and ye fools [03684], when will ye be wise [07919]?

²² But [1161] I [1473] say [3004] unto you [5213], That [3754] whosoever [3956] is angry [3710] with his [846] brother [80] without a cause [1500] shall be [2071] in danger [1777] of the judgment [2920]: and [1161] whosoever [3739] [302] shall say [2036] to his [846] brother [80], Raca [4469], shall be [2071] in danger [1777] of the council [4892]: but [1161] whosoever [3739] [302] shall say [2036], Thou fool [3474], shall be [2071] in danger [1777] of [1519] hell [1067] fire [4442].

⁹ But [1161] avoid [4026] foolish [3474] questions [2214], and [2532] genealogies [1076], and [2532] contentions [2054], and [2532] strivings about [3163] the law [3544]; for [1063] they are [1526] unprofitable [512] and [2532] vain [3152].

²³ But [1161] foolish [3474] and [2532] unlearned [521] questions [2214] avoid [3868], knowing [1492] that [3754] they do gender [1080] strifes [3163].

¹⁸ Let [1818] no man [3367] deceive [1818] himself [1438]. If any man [1536] among [1722] you [5213] seemeth [1380] to be [1511] wise [4680] in [1722] this [5129] world [165], let him become [1096] a fool [3474], that [2443] he may be [1096] wise [4680].

²⁷ But [235] God [2316] hath chosen [1586] the foolish things [3474] of the world [2889] to [2443] confound [2617] the wise [4680]; and [2532] God [2316] hath chosen [1586] the weak things [772] of the world [2889] to [2443] confound [2617] the things which are mighty [2478];

³ They [3748] that were foolish [3474] took [2983] their [846] [1438] lamps [2985], and took [2983] no [3756] oil [1637] with [3326] them [1438]:

²⁶ And [2532] every one [3956] that heareth [191] these [5128] sayings [3056] of mine [3450], and [2532] doeth [4160] them [846] not [3361], shall be likened [3666] unto a foolish [3474] man [435], which [3748] built [3618] his [846] house [3614] upon [1909] the sand [285]:

⁴⁷ And [1161] all [3956] that heard [191] him [846] were astonished [1839] at [1909] his [846] understanding [4907] and [2532] answers [612].

³³ And [2532] to love [25] him [846] with [1537] all [3650] the heart [2588], and [2532] with [1537] all [3650] the understanding [4907], and [2532] with [1537] all [3650] the soul [5590], and [2532] with [1537] all [3650] the strength [2479], and [2532] to love [25] his neighbour [4139] as [5613] himself [1438], is [2076] more [4119] than all [3956] whole burnt offerings [3646] and [2532] sacrifices [2378].

²⁵ At [1722] that [1565] time [2540] Jesus [2424] answered [611] and said [2036], I thank [1843] thee [4671], O Father [3962], Lord [2962] of heaven [3772] and [2532] earth [1093], because [3754] thou hast hid [613] these things [5023] from [575] the wise [4680] and [2532] prudent [4908], and [2532] hast revealed [601] them [846] unto babes [3516].

²⁰ But [1161] God [2316] said [2036] unto him [846], Thou fool [878], this [5026] night [3571] thy [4675] soul [5590] shall be required [523] of [575] thee [4675]: then [1161] whose [5101] shall those things be [2071], which [3739] thou hast provided [2090]?

¹ O [5599] foolish [453] Galatians [1052], who [5101] hath bewitched [940] you [5209], that ye should [3982] not [3361] obey [3982] the truth [225], before [2596] whose [3739] eyes [3788] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] hath been evidently set forth [4270], crucified [4717] among [1722] you [5213]?

²⁵ Then [2532] he [846] said [2036] unto [4314] them [846], O [5599] fools [453], and [2532] slow [1021] of heart [2588] to believe [4100] [1909] all [3956] that [3739] the prophets [4396] have spoken [2980]:

¹³ And [2532] lead [1533] us [2248] not [3361] into [1519] temptation [3986], but [235] deliver [4506] us [2248] from [575] evil [4190]: For [3754] thine [4675] is [2076] the kingdom [932], and [2532] the power [1411], and [2532] the glory [1391], for [1519] ever [165]. Amen [281].