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 .