John Calvin Commentary 1 Timothy 6:17

"Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;" — 1 Timothy 6:17 (ASV)

Command (or charge) those who are rich. Since many Christians were poor and in a humble condition, it is probable that they were despised (as usually happens) by the rich. This might have been especially common at Ephesus, which was a wealthy city, for in such cities, pride is generally more widespread. From this, we infer how dangerous a great abundance of riches is.

Nor are good reasons lacking why Paul addresses so severe an admonition to the rich. It is to remedy faults that almost always accompany riches, just as a shadow follows a body. This happens through the depravity of our natural disposition, for from the gifts of God we always derive an occasion for sinning.

That they be not haughty, nor hope in the uncertainty of riches. He expressly mentions two things against which rich men should be on guard: pride and deceitful hope, the former springing from the latter. Accordingly, Paul appears to have added, in the same place, nor hope in the uncertainty of riches, in order to point out the source of all pride. For why is it that rich men grow insolent and take extreme delight in despising others, if not because they imagine themselves to be supremely happy? Vain confidence goes first, and then arrogance follows.

Rich in this world. When Paul wishes to correct those faults, he first speaks contemptuously of riches; for the phrase, in this world, is intended to diminish them in our esteem. All that is in the world partakes of its nature, so that it is fading and quickly passes away. The uncertainty and vanity of the hope that is placed in riches are shown by him from this consideration: that their possession is so transitory it is like something unknown. For, while we think that we hold them, they slip out of our hands in a moment. How foolish is it, therefore, to place our hope in them!

But in the living God. He who understands this will find no difficulty in withdrawing his hope from riches. For, if it is God alone who supplies us with everything for the necessary purposes of life, we transfer His prerogative to riches when we place our hope in them. Now observe that there is an implied contrast when He affirms that God gives abundantly to all. The meaning is that, although we have a full and overflowing abundance of all things, yet we have nothing except from the blessing of God alone; for it is that blessing alone which imparts to us all that is needful.

Therefore, it follows that they are gravely mistaken who rely on riches and do not depend entirely on the blessing of God, wherein lies a sufficiency of food and of everything else. From this, we also conclude that we are forbidden to trust in riches, not only because they belong to the use of mortal life, but also because they are nothing but smoke. For we are fed, not by bread only, but by the blessing of God (Deuteronomy 8:3).

When he says πλουσίως εἰς ἀπόλαυσιν, abundantly for enjoyment, he describes how kind God is to us, and even to all people, and to the animals; for His kindness extends far and wide beyond our necessity (Psalms 36:6).