1 Timothy 6:5
What does 1 Timothy 6:5 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 6:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 6:5 means
Paul continues: these are constant “wranglings” from people whose minds are corrupted and who are “bereft of the truth.” Their signature error is to suppose that “godliness is a way of gain.” They treat religion as a business, a platform for profit and status. When the heart is darkened, the holy becomes a tool for self-advancement. Such thinking profanes worship and injures the flock. Paul’s exposure of this motive is pastoral care, warning believers not to be impressed by success or smooth words. The true riches of the gospel are not for sale, and those who trade on godliness for gain betray both doctrine and love.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Bitter talk of men who, being evil in mind and dead to what is true, take the faith to be a way of making profit.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862wranglings of men wholly corrupted in mind, and destitute of the truth, supposing the piety to be gain; depart from such;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Conflicts of men corrupted in mind and who are destitute of the truth, supposing gain to be godliness.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890constant quarrellings of men corrupted in mind and destitute of the truth, holding gain to be [the end of] piety.
Context
Verses 3–4 unmasked the false teacher’s pride and contentiousness; verse 5 reveals the corrupted motive—seeing godliness as a means to financial gain. This sets up a deliberate contrast in verse 6: real gain is godliness with contentment. From there, verses 7–8 ground contentment in life’s brevity and in God’s provision of necessities, while verses 9–10 warn that the craving to be rich leads to temptation, snares, and sorrow. The argument moves from diagnosis of false teaching to the cure of ordered desires and a redefinition of wealth in God’s terms.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Timothy 3:5
holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away.
- Jeremiah 8:10
Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall possess them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness; from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
- 1 Timothy 3:3
no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;
- Matthew 23:13
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye shut the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye enter not in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering in to enter.
- Titus 1:11
whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
- 2 Kings 5:20
But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: as Jehovah liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.
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