1 Timothy

1 Timothy 6:3-10

Paul exposes false teachers who equate godliness with financial gain and contrasts their corruption with true godliness marked by contentment, warning that the love of money leads to ruin and spiritual destruction.

1 Timothy 6:3-10 (WEB)

3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness,

4 he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions,

5 constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out.

8 But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.

9 But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Central Idea

Paul exposes false teachers who equate godliness with financial gain and contrasts their corruption with true godliness marked by contentment, warning that the love of money leads to ruin and spiritual destruction.

Authorial Intent

To unmask the motives and character of false teachers while teaching Timothy the nature of authentic godliness and the spiritual peril of greed.

Chapter: 1 Timothy 6

Godliness, Contentment, the Good Fight, and Guarding the Entrusted Gospel

God's servants must guard sound doctrine, flee greed, pursue godliness with contentment, fight the good fight of faith, and keep the entrusted gospel until Christ appears.