1 Timothy 6 5 meaning, Cross Ref, ai commentary KJV NIV ESV NLT

1 Timothy 6:5 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.

1 Timothy 6:5 kjv

Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

1 Timothy 6:5 nkjv

useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

1 Timothy 6:5 niv

and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

1 Timothy 6:5 esv

and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

1 Timothy 6:5 nlt

These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.

1 Timothy 6 5 Cross References

Verse	Text	Reference
Rom 1:21	For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks...	Corrupted/darkened mind; spiritual folly.
Eph 4:17-19	...walk no longer as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their mind...	Futile mind, darkened understanding, moral depravity.
Tit 1:15-16	To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted...	Corrupted minds and consciences; denial of God.
2 Pet 2:3	And in their greed these teachers will exploit you with false words...	Exploiting for gain; false teaching.
Jude 1:16	These are grumblers, faultfinders, following their own sinful desires...	Motivated by selfish gain, flattery.
2 Tim 3:8	Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth	Opposing the truth; corrupt minds.
2 Tim 4:3-4	For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching...	Turning away from truth; chasing myths.
Matt 6:24	No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love...	Cannot serve God and money (Mammon).
Lk 16:13	No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one...	Warning against love of money over God.
Acts 8:18-20	When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of hands...	Seeking to buy spiritual power for profit.
Php 3:18-19	For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears...	Enemies of the cross; minds set on earthly things.
Col 2:8	See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit...	Deception based on human tradition, not Christ.
1 Pet 5:2	shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight...	Overseeing without greed or compulsion.
Isa 56:11	The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough...	Leaders motivated by greedy gain.
Jer 6:13	For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for gain...	Widespread covetousness and false prophecy.
Mic 3:5, 11	Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who lead my people astray...	Prophets teaching for money; greed of leaders.
2 Cor 2:17	For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of...	Rejecting selling God's word for profit.
1 Thess 2:5	For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext..	Paul’s motives were pure, not driven by greed.
2 Tim 2:16	But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more...	Avoiding useless debates that lead to ungodliness.
Rom 16:17	I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions...	Withdrawing from divisive, false teachers.
2 Jn 1:10	If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive...	Not associating with false teachers.
Titus 3:10-11	As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once...	Rejecting divisive individuals after admonition.
Matt 7:15	Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly..	False teachers are inwardly ravenous wolves.

1 Timothy 6 verses

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

1 Timothy 6 5 meaning

This verse describes individuals whose engagement in spiritual matters leads to constant, often aggressive, wrangling and futile disputes. These disputes stem from a fundamental corruption of their mental faculties, rendering them unable to discern spiritual truth. Consequently, they are spiritually destitute of the truth and fundamentally misapprehend its nature. Their core error is the belief that genuine devotion to God (godliness) is merely a tool or strategy for material and worldly advantage, treating piety as a means to personal profit. The verse concludes with a clear imperative for believers to disassociate themselves from such individuals to avoid being negatively influenced.

1 Timothy 6 5 Context

This verse is situated within Paul's letter to Timothy, providing instructions for ministry and church conduct in Ephesus. Chapter 6 specifically addresses financial matters, the dangers of wealth, and warnings against false teachers who exploited religion for personal gain. Verses 3-5 delineate the characteristics of these disruptive individuals who spread "another doctrine" and foment strife. These verses serve as a direct contrast to the earlier instructions on genuine godliness and contentment (1 Tim 6:6-10), emphasizing the difference between sincere faith and its mercenary distortion. The historical context reflects a growing problem within the early church: individuals entering ministry or teaching roles with impure motives, particularly driven by a desire for money, mimicking the practices of some ancient philosophers and sophists who charged fees for their teachings.

1 Timothy 6 5 Word analysis

Perverse disputings (παραδιατριβαί - paradiatribai):
- Word: paradiatribai is derived from para (alongside, against) and diatribe (discussion, pastime).
- Significance: It means "futile arguments," "useless discussions," "constant friction," or "senseless wranglings." It implies debates that are unproductive, not aimed at truth, and cause conflict. It suggests intellectual exercise for its own sake, or even malicious contention, rather than for spiritual edification.
Of men of corrupt minds (διεφθαρμένων τὸν νοῦν - diephtharmenōn ton noun):
- Word: diephtharmenōn (corrupted, depraved) is the perfect passive participle of diaphtheirō (to corrupt, destroy). Noun is "mind, understanding, reason."
- Significance: Their inner spiritual faculty of understanding and moral discernment is utterly spoiled, damaged beyond good function. This corruption is not just intellectual error but a moral failing, impacting their judgment and intentions. Their capacity to rightly perceive and embrace truth is ruined.
And destitute of the truth (ἀπεστερημένων τῆς ἀληθείας - apesterēmenōn tēs alētheias):
- Word: apesterēmenōn (deprived, bereft of) is the perfect passive participle of apostereō (to defraud, deprive, rob). Alētheias is "truth."
- Significance: They have been robbed of or actively turned away from the truth. This is not mere ignorance but a wilful abandonment or a spiritual poverty resulting from their corruption. They no longer possess the truth in any meaningful, transformative way, nor are they genuinely guided by it. They are spiritually bankrupt regarding true doctrine and upright living.
Supposing that gain is godliness (νομιζόντων πορισμὸν εἶναι τὴν εὐσέβειαν - nomizontōn porismon einai tēn eusebeian):
- Word: nomizontōn (supposing, imagining, thinking) indicates their presumption or misguided conviction. Porismon (gain, profit, source of income) denotes material advantage. Eusebeian (godliness, piety, devotion to God).
- Significance: This is the core issue: they view "godliness" as a strategy for wealth or social advantage. They have inverted the divine order, making personal profit, rather than the worship of God, the goal of their religious display. Their piety is performative and instrumental, lacking sincerity.
From such withdraw thyself (Ἀφίστασο ἀπὸ τῶν τοιούτων - Aphistaso apo tōn toioutōn):
- Word: Aphistaso is an imperative verb (withdraw, stand away from, separate oneself).
- Significance: This is a direct command from Paul to Timothy (and, by extension, to all believers). It signifies not just disagreement but active disassociation. There should be no compromise or engagement in their futile arguments, lest one be corrupted or complicit. It implies a moral and doctrinal separation, a safeguard for the believer and the church.

1 Timothy 6 5 Bonus section

The phrase "corrupt minds" here denotes more than mere intellectual disagreement; it points to a deep moral and spiritual decay that prevents individuals from understanding or embracing divine truth. Their entire faculty for discerning good from evil, or truth from error, has been impaired, making their teaching inherently dangerous. The concept of eusebeia (godliness) in Timothy's letters is critical. Paul consistently elevates eusebeia as encompassing right worship, devout living, and proper conduct, particularly in light of Christ's example (1 Tim 2:2; 3:16; 4:7-8; 6:3; 6:6; 2 Tim 3:5; Tit 1:1). To reduce such a central biblical concept to a "means of gain" is to fundamentally betray the gospel's self-sacrificial nature. This type of mercenary religiosity directly counters Christ's teachings about renouncing the love of money and seeking heavenly treasures (Matt 6:19-21, 24).

1 Timothy 6 5 Commentary

1 Timothy 6:5 serves as a profound warning against individuals who pervert faith for self-enrichment. Their spiritual condition is dire: a corrupted mind unable to grasp or love truth, leading to divisive, unprofitable debates. They commit the profound error of instrumentalizing godliness, viewing sincere devotion as merely a path to financial or social benefit, revealing their true idol: material gain. This mercenary approach strips godliness of its divine purity, turning it into a means to an earthly end rather than the ultimate end of glorifying God. Paul’s instruction to "withdraw thyself" underscores the severe danger these individuals pose to genuine faith and communal harmony. It calls for decisive separation from such morally and doctrinally bankrupt influence, prioritizing the protection of sound doctrine and sincere worship.