For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
Parallel translations
- WEB For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out.
- BSB For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it.
- 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 1:21And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
- Ps 49:17For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
- Luke 12:20–21But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
- Eccl 5:15–16As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
- Prov 27:24For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
- Luke 16:22–23And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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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.