For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it.
Parallel translations
- WEB For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out.
- KJV For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
- NKJV For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
- NASB For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either.
- NLT After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
We brought nothing into the world and can take nothing out of it. This reality should free us from clinging to possessions.
Overview
Paul grounds contentment in the plain truth that we enter and leave life empty-handed, echoing Job 1:21. Earthly wealth is temporary and cannot accompany us beyond the grave. This eternal perspective loosens the grip of greed and directs the heart toward treasure that lasts, which is found in God alone.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Job 1:21saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”
- Ps 49:17For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down.
- Luke 12:20–21But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’
- Eccl 5:15–16As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.
- Prov 27:24for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.
- Luke 16:22–23One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
There is 'one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all' — the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh.
How 1 Timothy 6:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.