*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Having food and raiment When he mentions food and raiment, he excludes luxuries and overflowing abundance; for nature is content with a little [1] and all that goes beyond the natural use is superfluous. Not that to use them more largely ought to be condemned on its own account, but lusting after them is always sinful.
1 - "Man wants but little; nor that little long." -- Young's Night Thoughts.
And having food and raiment - Food and raiment, here, seem to be used to denote supplies for our needs in general. It is not uncommon to denote the whole by a part, and, as these are the principal things which we really need, and without which life could not be sustained, the apostle uses the phrase to denote all that is really necessary for us. We cannot suppose that he would forbid a desire of a comfortable habitation, or of the means of knowledge, or of conveniences for worshipping God, etc. The idea is, that having those flyings which meet the actual necessities of our nature, and save us from distress, we should not strive after "uncertain riches," or make wealth the object of our anxious pursuit; compare notes on Philippians 4:11-12.
Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content - Αρκεσθησομεθα· Let us consider this a competency. And it is evident that the apostle considers this a competency, and by these words explains what he said 1-Timothy 6:6.
The word ακεπασματα, which we translate raiment, signifies covering in general; and here means house or lodging, as well as clothing.
And having food and raiment,.... "Food" includes all things necessary to be ate and drank, of which there is a great variety, and is here expressed in the plural number; and "raiment" every necessary covering, as the word used signifies, and includes an habitation, which is a cover and shelter from the inclementencies of the weather. And now having all these comforts and necessaries of life, food to eat, and drink to extinguish thirst and refresh, raiment to put on, and a house to dwell in,
let us be therewith content: there is very good reason why the saints should be content; since more than these things cannot be enjoyed; and these they have with a blessing, and as a fruit and token of the love of God to them; these were all that Jacob desired, Agur petitioned for, and Christ directs his disciples daily to pray for; and which to have, is to have enough, a proper sufficiency and competency: the words may be rendered, "we shall be content with them"; which the apostle could say for himself, Timothy, and others, who had been content, even when they wanted these things. The Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions read, "we are content"; and the Syriac version, "food and raiment are sufficient for us"; and so the apostle sets himself, and others, as examples of contentment to be imitated and followed.
And--Greek, "But." In contrast to the greedy gain-seekers (1-Timothy 6:5).
having--so long as we have food. (The Greek expresses "food sufficient in each case for our continually recurring wants" [ALFORD]). It is implied that we, as believers, shall have this (Isaiah 23:16).
raiment--Greek, "covering"; according to some including a roof to cover us, that is, a dwelling, as well as clothing.
let us be therewith content--literally, "we shall be sufficiently provided"; "we shall be sufficed" [ALFORD].
Covering - That is, raiment and an house to cover us. This is all that a Christian needs, and all that his religion allows him to desire.
*More commentary available at chapter level.