John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. For we brought nothing into this world , etc.] Which is a reason both clearly showing that godliness is great gain, since those who have it brought nothing into the world with them but sin, and yet are now in such happy circumstances as before described; and that godly persons should be content with what they have, even of worldly things, seeing they are so much more than they had when they came into the world, into which they came naked; and which should be a quieting consideration under the most stripping providences; (see Job 1:21) and it is certain we can carry nothing out : as men come into the world, so will they go out of it; nor will they need their worldly substance after death, any more than they did before they were born; and what they now have, and use not, will then be lost to them, whatever gain it may be to others: wherefore it becomes them cheerfully to use what they have, and be content therewith; (see Ecclesiastes 5:15,16). The Jews have a saying like this f86 , that as a man comes (into the world), yjyljb , simply or nakedly, so he goes out in like manner.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-10 - Those that make a trade of Christianity to serve their turn for thi world, will be disappointed; but those who mind it as their calling will find it has the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come. He that is godly, is sure to be happy in anothe world; and if contented with his condition in this world, he ha enough; and all truly godly people are content. When brought into the greatest straits, we cannot be poorer than when we came into thi world; a shroud, a coffin, and a grave, are all that the richest man in the world can have from all his wealth. If nature should be conten with a little, grace should be content with less. The necessaries of life bound a true Christian's desires, and with these he will endeavou to be content. We see here the evil of covetousness. It is not said they that are rich, but they will be rich; who place their happiness in wealth, and are eager and determined in the pursuit. Those that ar such, give to Satan the opportunity of tempting them, leading them to use dishonest means, and other bad practices, to add to their gains Also, leading into so many employments, and such a hurry of business as leave no time or inclination for spiritual religion; leading to connexions that draw into sin and folly. What sins will not men be drawn into by the love of money! People may have money, and yet no love it; but if they love it, this will push them on to all evil. Ever sort of wickedness and vice, in one way or another, grows from the love of money. We cannot look around without perceiving many proofs of this especially in a day of outward prosperity, great expenses, and loos profession.
Greek Textus Receptus
ουδεν 3762 A-ASN γαρ 1063 CONJ εισηνεγκαμεν 1533 5656 V-AAI-1P εις 1519 PREP τον 3588 T-ASM κοσμον 2889 N-ASM δηλον 1212 A-NSN οτι 3754 CONJ ουδε 3761 ADV εξενεγκειν 1627 5629 V-2AAN τι 5100 X-ASN δυναμεθα 1410 5736 V-PNI-1P
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. And it is certain we can carry, etc. Omit and and certain. Rend. oti because. The statement is: We brought nothing into the world because we can carry nothing out. The fact that we brought nothing into the world is shown by the impossibility of our taking with us anything out of it; since if anything belonging to us in our premundane state had been brought by us into the world, it would not be separated from us at our departure from the world. Comp. Job i. 21; Eccl. v. 15; Psalm xlix. 17.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
6:7 {Brought into} (eisenegkamen, second aorist active stem with first aorist ending, common in the _Koin_), {carry out} (exenegkein, second aorist active infinitive). Note play on the prepositions eis- and ex-.
