6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” (1 Timothy 6:6–8 (ESV)
As previously stated in this webpage, a fundamental principle of correct biblical interpretation is Scripture interprets Scripture. Consequently, Scripture does not contradict itself because the author of Scripture, the Holy Spirit, does not contradict Himself (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). In other words, what Scripture says in one passage or portion will be consistent with another passage or portion. Such is the case with today’s featured biblical text.
The Apostle Paul, who the Holy Spirit used to produce inerrant Scripture, wrote these words to his young protégé Timothy, who was pastoring the church in Ephesus. Paul’s words were written perhaps thirty years after Jesus Christ spoke similar words in His Sermon on the Mount. Consider the spoken words from our Lord found in Matthew 6:25-34.
25 “Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:25–34 (ESV)
Paul began this portion of his epistle with seven words, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” Let’s examine each word individually.
But. The word but (δὲ; de) is a conjunction of contrast. It means on the other hand or and now. This conjunction of contrast is in relationship to what Paul just stated in I Tim. 6:3-5.
Godliness. Godliness (εὐσέβεια; eusebeia) refers to personal piety, holiness, and Christlikeness. It is a word Paul previously used in this epistle (I Tim. 3:16; 4:6-10).
With contentment. The phrase with contentment (μετὰ αὐταρκείας; meta autarkeias) means to be in association or in a relationship. The relationship the believer in Christ has with godliness is contentment. It means to be at peace with one’s circumstances in life.
Is. The word is (ἔστιν; estin) is a present, active, indicative state of being verb. It means to be or being.
Great. The adjective great (μέγας; megas) means extensive. It also refers to something being large or important.
The final word is gain (πορισμὸς; porismos). This is wealth. Within the context, Paul does not refer to material wealth as something of great gain, in contrast to false teachers (I Tim. 6:5). Rather, it is the spiritual wealth of a godly character.
“Picking up on the words “godliness” and “gain,” Paul shifted their meaning in a characteristically Pauline fashion (cf. 1 Cor. 2:5–6 for a similar shift) from the erroneous to the truthful. Godliness does not give financial gain (1 Tim. 6:5); it itself is gain when accompanied with contentment. Autarkeias literally means “self-sufficiency.” Yet the sufficiency of oneself is due to the sufficiency of God (cf. 2 Cor. 9:8; Phil. 4:11, 13 for other uses of the same word). Godliness combined with that inner God-given sufficiency which does not depend on material circumstances (the opposite of the false teachers’ greed) is indeed of great gain.”[1]
The truly godly person is not interested in becoming rich. He possesses inner resources which furnish riches far beyond that which earth can offer. Hence, with respect to this genuine godly life Paul continues: And it is great gain, namely, the (practice of) godliness with soul-sufficiency. This is the life of true devotion to God. It is “of benefit in every way,” (see on 1 Tim. 4:8). Such Christian living springs from the source of—and is accompanied by—soul-sufficiency.[2]
Where is your heart regarding the transitory nature of earthly wealth in contrast to heavenly and eternal wealth? The former will perish. The latter is unperishable and undefiled (I Peter 1:4).
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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[1] A. Duane Litfin, “1 Timothy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 746.
[2] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 198.
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