1 Timothy 6:6 kjv
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6 nkjv
Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6 niv
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6 esv
But godliness with contentment is great gain,
1 Timothy 6:6 nlt
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.
1 Timothy 6 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Tim 6:6 | "Now godliness with contentment is great gain." | Theme: Gain from godliness |
| Heb 13:5 | "Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have." | Emphasis on contentment |
| Phil 4:11 | "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." | Paul's example of contentment |
| Matt 6:25 | "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life..." | Warning against worry and greed |
| Luke 12:15 | "Take care and be on your guard against all forms of greed..." | Jesus on guarding against greed |
| Prov 15:16 | "Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it." | Value of godliness over wealth |
| Prov 22:4 | "The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life." | Blessings of godliness |
| Ps 37:3-4 | "Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." | Trust and delight in the Lord lead to provision |
| Eccl 5:10 | "He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver, nor a lover of wealth with income..." | Insatiability of greed |
| Eccl 5:19 | "Every man also to whom God has given wealth and possessions..." | God's gifting of resources |
| Gal 6:7-8 | "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap..." | Spiritual sowing and reaping |
| Col 3:2-3 | "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." | Heavenly focus vs. earthly |
| 1 Tim 6:7 | "For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world." | Transience of earthly possessions |
| 1 Tim 6:8 | "But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content." | Contentment with basic necessities |
| Matt 6:33 | "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." | Priority of seeking God's kingdom |
| Phil 4:12 | "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound..." | Adaptation to circumstances |
| 1 Pet 5:7 | "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." | Casting cares upon God |
| 2 Cor 12:10 | "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with hardships, with persecutions, with calamities..." | Contentment in suffering |
| Ps 23:1 | "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." | God's provision and care |
| Josh 1:5 | "I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you." | God's promise of presence |
| Deut 8:18 | "You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth..." | God as the source of ability/wealth |
1 Timothy 6 verses
1 Timothy 6 6 Meaning
Contentment with godliness is a great gain, producing peace and security far beyond material wealth.
1 Timothy 6 6 Context
In 1 Timothy 6, Paul is addressing issues within the church in Ephesus, particularly concerning false teachers and the proper conduct of believers. This verse appears in a section warning against the love of money and worldly riches. The preceding verses condemn those who are greedy and mistake godliness for a means to financial gain. Paul contrasts this with true godliness, which is inherently valuable and sufficient. The broader context emphasizes that true spiritual wealth is found in Christ and a godly life, not in accumulating earthly possessions. This letter provides pastoral guidance to Timothy on managing the church, promoting sound doctrine, and encouraging godly living.
1 Timothy 6 6 Word Analysis
- Now (δέ / de): A particle used to introduce a statement, often with a slight contrast or transition. Here, it transitions from the preceding negative pronouncements about greed to a positive declaration about true gain.
- godliness (εὐσέβεια / eusebeia): Reverence for God, piety, devotion. It encompasses more than just belief; it is a lifestyle reflecting a right relationship with God, expressed through obedience and worship. It speaks of a deep-seated respect and care for God.
- with (μετά / meta): Preposition indicating accompaniment or possession. It links godliness and contentment as accompanying qualities.
- contentment (αὐτάρκεια / autarkeia): Self-sufficiency, contentment, being satisfied with what one has. It is not merely resignation but a state of inner peace and satisfaction regardless of external circumstances. In a Stoic philosophical context, autarkeia could refer to an ideal of independence from external factors. However, in the Pauline context, it is derived from and sustained by God's provision and presence.
- is (ἔστιν / estin): The third-person singular present indicative of the verb "to be." It asserts the reality of the statement.
- great (μεγάλη / megale): Large, great, important. Describes the magnitude of the gain.
- gain (κέρδος / kerdos): Profit, gain, advantage. In this context, it refers to a profound spiritual profit, an ultimate benefit, distinct from temporal or material profit.
Words Group Analysis:
- Godliness with contentment (εὐσέβεια μετ’ αὐταρκείας / eusebeia met' autarkeias): This phrase is central. It juxtaposes two essential qualities of a believer's life. True spiritual advantage (gain) comes when one lives a life that honors God (godliness) and is satisfied with His provisions (contentment), rather than seeking worldly wealth. The union of these two is key.
1 Timothy 6 6 Bonus Section
The concept of "autarkeia" (self-sufficiency/contentment) in Paul's writings is a spiritual adaptation of a common Greek philosophical ideal. While Greek philosophy, particularly Stoicism, pursued autarkeia through rigorous self-discipline and indifference to external fortune, Paul anchors it in God's grace and provision. True contentment isn't an achievement of the self, but a gift received through faith in Christ and His sustaining power. It signifies a radical shift from valuing external abundance to appreciating internal sufficiency found in relationship with God. This is what makes godliness with contentment so "great." It’s the paradox of having nothing, yet possessing everything in Christ.
1 Timothy 6 6 Commentary
True spiritual wealth is not found in possessions but in a life devoted to God and marked by contentment. This internal disposition, rooted in faith and the knowledge of God's provision, yields a gain that far surpasses any earthly riches. It frees one from the insatiable appetite of greed, the anxiety of accumulating, and the fear of loss. This "gain" is peace, security, and the satisfaction of knowing one is right with God, regardless of material circumstances. It’s a contrast to the false teachers who sought material profit from their ministry, or those whose desire for wealth hindered their walk with God. This principle is enduring; it was relevant for the early church and remains so today.
Practical Usage Examples:
- When faced with a promotion that demands more time away from family and potentially compromises spiritual disciplines, choosing contentment with the current provisions, prioritizing godliness, reflects this principle.
- Refusing to envy a neighbor's lavish lifestyle, but instead being grateful for one's own home and basic needs, supported by faithfulness to God.
- Prioritizing ministry, prayer, and serving others over working extra hours solely to accumulate more money.