complete verse (1 Timothy 6:19)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Timothy 6:19:

  • Uma: “For if their behavior is good like that, we can say that they are storing good stuff in heaven, that they can trust in in the future, and they get life that is really good.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “If they do this, it is as if they are storing up their wealth in heaven and this will really not be lost. And they will also be given the true life, it means life forever.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “By means of this, they can get true wealth which they will never have to leave forever. And they will come to own life which is true life.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Because if they do that, there will be wealth that they store-up in heaven which can-be-compared to a firm/stable foundation or basis for what they are expecting in a future day, and they will gain the true life which is forever.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “For in their doing like this, it’s like they are causing to increase the reward which can’t be destroyed which is held in store for them in heaven. And life which is really worthwhile/accomplishes-much will be theirs.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Concerning the good they do to help their fellow man, there will be a payment on the day that is to come, it is certain that they will be given the life forever.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Timothy 6:19

Thus (Good News Translation “In this way”) may also be expressed as “If they do these good things.”

This verse spells out the reward of the rich for their kindness and generosity. First, they “lay up for themselves” a good foundation for the future. Laying up translates a reflexive participle that can be literally translated “storing up for themselves a treasure” (similarly New Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation), and this stored treasure functions as a foundation for the future. This is of course metaphorical language and should not be taken literally. Some see a mixing of metaphors here: good and generous deeds are first of all compared to a treasure that is stored away, and secondly, to a foundation upon which a building is erected. Others maintain that there is only one metaphor here, namely, that of treasure, by taking the word for foundation to mean “treasure” or “capital” (so Moffatt “right good treasure,” Goodspeed’s American Translation [An American Translation] “valuable treasure”). For the meaning “capital” see Jerusalem Bible “a good capital sum,” also Phillips “Their security should be invested in the life to come.”

If the mixing of metaphors is retained, an appropriate word should be used to describe the quality of the foundation, as, for example, “solid” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version), “firm” (New International Version). The Greek word used here (“good,” “beautiful”) indicates the possession of a quality that is adequate and appropriate to the purpose for which something is intended. However, in cultures where foundations are not used in building, translators should use the metaphor of “treasure.” An alternative model is “If they do these good things, it is like storing up for themselves a good amount of money for the future (or, the life to come).”

All of this is for the future, perhaps a reference to the time beyond this life, in contrast to life “in this world” (verse 17). This interpretation is strengthened by the mention of the life which is life indeed. This refers to a life that is lived in obedience to God’s will and in accordance with God’s promises. Some other ways of rendering this expression are “true life” (Contemporary English Version), “real life,” or “the life that God has promised.” This life is equivalent to “eternal life” mentioned in verse 12 (“immortality”) and in 1.16. Eternal life of course has its beginning in this world and can be enjoyed here and now, but its final consummation and perfection is in the future, when the believer fully shares in the very life of God.

For take hold of see verse 12.

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .