1 Timothy 6:18

thatthey do good Another of the many compound words; used however (according to the right reading) of God in providence, Acts 14:17, -in that He did good;" stronger than the ordinary word (e.g. Luke 6:9), and taken up in the next clause; render that they work at doing good.

rich in good works The riches are jewels of God's giving, and can be best seen and best enjoyed -in a setting of fair works." The two adjectives for -good" here have a distinction, but not that given by Alford; the first according to a probable derivation signifying what is -kind and good" in its inner character in a man's conduct towards others, the second what is -fair and gracious" in outer expression and bearing. The two together came to be used at Athens as one phrase to denote -a gentleman." And so such a use of wealth marks -the Christian gentleman." For the second word is the one used Matthew 5:16, -let your light shine … that they may see your good works," and 1 Peter 2:12, -your good works which they behold. Compare Bp. Westcott's definition, Hebrews 10:24 -works which by their generous and attractive character win the natural admiration of men," and his synonym Hebrews 6:5, -tasted the goodness the beautyof the Word of God." See notes on Titus 1:16; Titus 2:7; Titus 3:8.

ready to distribute, willing to communicate Again two peculiar compound adjectives. Cranmer's version followed in the Offertory Sentences of the Prayer-Book has -ready to give and glad to distribute," giving also the same rendering to the second of our two words in the text from Hebrews 13:16, -to do good and to distribute forget not," where A.V. and R.V. -to do good and to communicate." Possibly -communicate" in such a connexion would have been misunderstood. The corresponding noun is rendered -distribution" by A.V. in 2 Corinthians 9:13, by R.V. -contribution." The -sympathy" suggested by the margin here of R.V. is certainly implied in the word, which may be said to sum up, in itself, the unity, generosity, and practical piety of the Church, as it worked out, under St Paul (see esp. 2 Corinthians 8:9), that problem of -rich and poor together" which the earliest impulses of -the faith" had solved for the moment only by the short rule of Acts 2:44-45, -all that believed were together and had all things common," the same word from which our -willing to communicate" comes. The root principle remains the same (2 Corinthians 8:13-15), and this our word conveys, though the practice was not workable for long of selling all into a common stock. G. Herbert seems to express bothof the present adjectives in

-Joyn hands with God to make a man to live,

Give to all something; to a good poore man,

Till thou change names, and be where he began."

The Church Porch.

The Christian wealth of England is still far below such a principle; else why the -weariness and painfulness" known to so many of our clergy in begging appeals for -good works" of piety and charity?