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also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever, therefore the Lord God sent him forth
from the garden of Eden", Gen. 3: 22, 23). Immortal life is found only in Christ and
can be received by faith in Him as Saviour and Lord, for He has brought life and
immortality (incorruption) to light through the gospel (II Tim. 1: 8-11), and both
immortality and incorruption are to be `put on' by the redeemed at resurrection and not
before (I Cor. 15: 51-55).
Needless to say, one cannot `put on' what is already possessed.
No.10.
6: 17 - 21.
pp. 72 - 75
Having poured out his praise in this doxology, the Apostle Paul returns to the theme of
riches, with the difference, that, in the former section he dealt with those aspiring to be
rich, whereas here he is concerned with those who are already rich:
"Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not high-minded, nor
have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, Who giveth us richly all
things to enjoy; that they do good that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to
distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation
against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life which is life indeed" (R.V.,
6: 17-19).
Believers who were wealthy were warned against a proud and lofty attitude of mind
and too much dependence upon money. An abundance of material possessions is apt to
produce a feeling of superiority--a dangerous attitude of mind for any believer, who is
only usable by the Lord as long as he keeps really humble. There is always the danger
too of relying on wealth, forgetting that money can easily take wings and fly away. In
fact we all have a duty to keep a check on ourselves that our hope is not resting on the
transient material things of this life, but upon the Lord and the eternal abiding riches we
have in Him by grace. The advent of the Welfare State today can also be a danger, where
everything is supposedly cared for "from the cradle to the grave". Let us never forget
that our constant assurance rests solely upon the changeless Saviour Whose love and
bounty towards us never wavers.
Those who have money in good supply are exhorted by the Apostle to use it, not for
themselves, but for the benefit of others with whom they can have the privilege of
sharing. In doing so they would be laying up for themselves a good and solid foundation
for the future, culminating with their appearance before the Lord, the righteous Judge,
Who will test and assess every man's service as to its quality, and decide whether it
merits His approval.
The concluding phrase "that they may lay hold on eternal life" echoes verse 12, but
with the variation that should be translated "life which is life indeed". This is the real
life--the unending life to come. The present one is only a shadow, a prelude to this