Of course,This phrase introduces a statement that is considered self-evident or universally acknowledged among believers. It suggests that what follows is a truth that should be obvious to those who understand the teachings of the faith. In the context of Paul's letter to Timothy, it serves as a reminder of foundational Christian principles.
godliness
Godliness refers to a life that is devoted to God, characterized by reverence, piety, and a commitment to living according to His will. In the Greco-Roman world, where Timothy ministered, various philosophies and religions offered different paths to a virtuous life. However, Paul emphasizes that true godliness is rooted in a relationship with the one true God, as revealed through Jesus Christ. This aligns with other scriptural teachings, such as in2 Peter 1:3, which speaks of God's divine power granting everything needed for life and godliness.
with contentment
Contentment is the state of being satisfied with what one has, rather than desiring more. In a culture that often equated wealth and material success with divine favor, this was a countercultural message. Contentment is a recurring theme in Paul's writings, as seen inPhilippians 4:11-13, where he speaks of learning to be content in all circumstances through Christ who strengthens him. This contentment is not based on external circumstances but on an internal assurance of God's provision and care.
is great gain.
The phrase "great gain" contrasts with the worldly pursuit of wealth and material possessions. In the historical context of Ephesus, where Timothy was leading the church, there was a strong emphasis on commerce and wealth accumulation. Paul redefines true gain as spiritual rather than material, echoing Jesus' teaching inMatthew 6:19-21 about storing up treasures in heaven. This perspective encourages believers to focus on eternal rewards rather than temporary, earthly ones.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul- The apostle who authored the letter to Timothy, providing guidance and instruction for church leadership and personal conduct.
2.
Timothy- A young pastor and protégé of Paul, serving in Ephesus, who received this letter as part of his pastoral training and encouragement.
3.
Ephesus- The city where Timothy was ministering, known for its wealth and commerce, which may have influenced the church's attitudes toward material wealth.
4.
Early Church- The community of believers in the first century, navigating issues of doctrine, leadership, and practical living in a diverse and often hostile environment.
Teaching Points
Godliness and ContentmentTrue wealth is found in a life that reflects godliness and is satisfied with what God provides. This combination leads to spiritual richness and peace.
The Danger of MaterialismIn a culture that often equates success with material gain, believers are called to a counter-cultural mindset that values spiritual growth over financial accumulation.
Contentment as a Learned VirtueContentment is not innate but learned through trust in God's provision and sovereignty. It requires a shift in focus from earthly desires to eternal values.
The Role of GratitudePracticing gratitude helps cultivate contentment by recognizing and appreciating God's blessings, both big and small, in our lives.
Eternal PerspectiveKeeping an eternal perspective helps believers prioritize their lives according to God's kingdom values, leading to true fulfillment and joy.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Timothy 6:6?
2.How can we cultivate "godliness with contentment" in our daily lives?
3.What does 1 Timothy 6:6 teach about true wealth and satisfaction?
4.How does 1 Timothy 6:6 connect with Matthew 6:33 on priorities?
5.In what ways can contentment combat materialism in today's society?
6.How can we apply "great gain" from godliness in our spiritual growth?
7.What does "godliness with contentment is great gain" mean in 1 Timothy 6:6?
8.How does 1 Timothy 6:6 challenge materialism in today's society?
9.Why is contentment emphasized alongside godliness in 1 Timothy 6:6?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Timothy 6?
11.What does "Godliness with Contentment" mean?
12.Are you content with what you have now?
13.What does 'be content with what you have' mean?
14.Are you content with what you have now?What Does 1 Timothy 6:6 Mean
Of coursePaul has just warned against those “who think that godliness is a means of gain” (1 Timothy 6:5). He now pivots and, almost as an obvious conclusion, writes, “Of course…” He is saying, “Everyone who loves the Lord should know this already.” The certainty in his tone reminds us:
• Scripture’s truths are settled (Psalm 119:89).
• Any teaching that twists faith into a money-making scheme is exposed (Luke 12:15).
• Sound doctrine is always anchored in what Christ has said, not in what culture chases (1 Timothy 6:3;2 Corinthians 9:8).
godlinessGodliness is practical, daily, God-honoring living. It is not a veneer of religion but the overflow of a heart transformed by Christ.
• “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).
• “Train yourself for godliness… godliness is valuable in every way” (1 Timothy 4:7-8).
• Grace teaches us “to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12).
In short, godliness is active obedience that reflects the character of the Lord we love.
with contentmentContentment is satisfied trust in God’s provision—having peace whether we have “plenty or need” (Philippians 4:11-13). Notice two keys:
• Freedom from greed: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have” (Hebrews 13:5).
• Focus on the Shepherd: “The LORD is my shepherd; I will not be in need” (Psalm 23:1).
Contentment does not ignore desires; it submits them to God, echoingProverbs 30:8-9—asking neither poverty nor riches but daily bread.
is great gainPaul flips the false teachers’ slogan on its head. True profit is spiritual, eternal, and guaranteed.
• “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20-21).
• Wisdom’s “gain is better than fine gold” (Proverbs 3:13-14).
• Those who embrace godliness and contentment “lay up treasure… for the coming age” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
What the world calls gain—wealth, status, possessions—is temporary. What the Lord calls gain—Christlike character and restful trust—endures forever.
summary1 Timothy 6:6 teaches that living a God-centered life, coupled with heartfelt satisfaction in His provision, yields the only profit that truly matters. When godliness is partnered with contentment, we possess immeasurable wealth—peace now and treasure forever.
(6)
But godliness with contentment is great gain.--Here the Apostle changes the subject of his letter somewhat abruptly. The monstrous thought that these wordly men dare to trade upon his dear Master's religion, dare to make out of his holy doctrine a gain--the hateful word suggests to him another danger, to which many in a congregation drawn from the population of a wealthy commercial city like Ephesus were hourly exposed. This is an admirable instance of the sudden change we often notice in the subject matter in the midst of St. Paul's Epistles, of what has been aptly termed "going off at a word." The reasoning in the writer's mind was, probably--"these false men suppose godliness will be turned into gain." Yes, though
they were terribly mistaken, still there
is a sense in which their miserable notion is true. True godliness is ever accompanied with perfect contentment. In this sense, godliness
does bring along with it great gain to its possessor. "The heart," says Wiesinger, "amid every outward want, is then only truly rich when it not only wants nothing which it has not, but has that which raises it above what it has not."
Verse 6. -
Godliness, etc. The apostle lakes up the sentiment which he had just condemned, and shows that in another sense it is most true. The godly man is rich indeed. For he wants nothing in this world but what God has given him, and has acquired riches which, unlike the riches of this world, he can take away with him (comp.
Luke 12:33). The enumeration of his acquired treasures follows, after a parenthetical depreciation of those of the covetous man, in ver. 11. The thought, as so often in St. Paul, is a little intricate, and its flow checked by parenthetical side-thoughts. But it seems to be as follows: "
But godliness is, in one sense, a source of great gain, and moreover brings contentment with it - contentment, I
say, for since we brought nothing into the world, and can carry nothing out, we have good reason to be content with the necessaries of life, food and raiment. Indeed, those who strive for more, and pant after wealth, bring nothing but trouble upon themselves. For the love of money is the root of all evil, etc. Thou, therefore, O man of God, instead of reaching after worldly riches, procure the true wealth, and become rich in righteousness, godliness,
faith," etc. (ver. 11). The phrase,
Αστι δὲπορισμὸς μέγας ἡ εὐσεβεία μετὰ αὐταρκείας, should be construed by making the
μετα couple
πορισμός with
αὐταρκείας, so as to express that "
godliness"is both "gain" and "
contentment" -
not as if
αὐταρκεία qualified
εὐσεβεία -
that would have been expressed by the collocation,
ἡ μετὰ αὐταρκείαςεὐσεβεία.
Contentment (
αὐταρκεία). The word occurs elsewhere in the New Testament only in
2 Corinthians 9:8, where it is rendered, both in the R.V. and the A.V., "sufficiency." The adjective
αὐτάρκης, found in
Philippians 4:11 (and common in classical Greek), is rendered "content." It means "sufficient in or of itself" - needing no external aid - and is applied to persons, countries, cities, moral qualities, etc. The substantive
αὐταρκεία is the condition of the person, or thing, which is
αὐτάρκης.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Of course,δὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.godlinessεὐσέβεια(eusebeia)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2150:Piety (towards God), godliness, devotion, godliness. From eusebes; piety; specially, the gospel scheme.withμετὰ(meta)Preposition
Strong's 3326:(a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.contentmentαὐταρκείας(autarkeias)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 841:Self-sufficiency, independence, contentment. From autarkes; self-satisfaction, i.e. contentedness, or a competence.isἜστιν(Estin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.greatμέγας(megas)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3173:Large, great, in the widest sense.gain.πορισμὸς(porismos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4200:A source of gain, livelihood. From a derivative of poros; furnishing, i.e. money-getting.
Links
1 Timothy 6:6 NIV1 Timothy 6:6 NLT1 Timothy 6:6 ESV1 Timothy 6:6 NASB1 Timothy 6:6 KJV
1 Timothy 6:6 BibleApps.com1 Timothy 6:6 Biblia Paralela1 Timothy 6:6 Chinese Bible1 Timothy 6:6 French Bible1 Timothy 6:6 Catholic Bible
NT Letters: 1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm) 
