1 Timothy 6:8

ἔχοντες δέ : The δέ has a slightly adversative force, guarding against a too literal conclusion from 1 Timothy 6:7. It is true that “unaccommodated man” (Lear, iii. 4) is “a man for a' that,” yet he has wants while alive, though his real wants are few.

σκεπάσματα : may include clothes and shelter, covering (R.V.), tegumentum ([297]), quibus tegamur, as the Vulg. well puts it; but the word is used of clothing only in Josephus (B. J. ii. 8. 5; Ant. xv. 9, 2). So A.V., raiment, [298], vestitum (so Chrys.).

[297] Cod. Frisingensis

[298] The Latin text of Codex Claromontanus (sæc. vi.), a Græco-Latin MS. at Paris, edited by Tischendorf in 1852.

Jacob specifies only “bread to eat and raiment to put on” (Genesis 28:20); but the Son of Sirach is more indulgent to the natural man (Sir 29:21; Sir 39:26-3).

ἀρκεσθησόμεθα : This future is imperatival, or authoritative, as Alf. calls it. He cites in illustration, Matthew 5:48, ἔσεσθε οὖν ὑμεῖς τέλειοι. From this point of view, the R.V., We shall be therewith content, cf. reff., is preferable to his rendering (which is equivalent to R.V. m.), With these we shall be sufficiently provided (cf. Matthew 25:9; John 6:7; 2 Corinthians 12:9).