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.
- KJV For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
- BSB For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it.
- 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 1:21He said, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Blessed be Yahweh’s name.”
- Ps 49:17for when he dies he will carry nothing away. His glory won’t descend after him.
- Luke 12:20–21“But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared — whose will they be?’
- Eccl 5:15–16As he came out of his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.
- Prov 27:24for riches are not forever, nor does the crown endure to all generations.
- Luke 16:22–23The beggar died, and he was carried away by the angels to 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.