1 Timothy 6

1 Timothy · Chapter 6

1 Timothy 6:5

1Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.6But godliness with contentment is great gain.7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;14That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:15Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:21Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain.

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

This verse finishes Paul's description of false teachers that begins in 6:3: they reject the "wholesome words" of Jesus, love arguments, and suppose that gain is godliness. Timothy is told to withdraw from them. The next verse turns their idea around: "godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:31 Timothy 6:41 Timothy 6:51 Timothy 6:6

SpeakingPaul the apostle, who names himself at the start of the letter. Many critical scholars think a follower wrote in Paul's name. Others defend Paul's authorship. 1 Timothy overview

ToTimothy, Paul's younger co-worker, whom Paul had left to lead the church at Ephesus. 1 Timothy overview

Also involvedTeachers in the church who 'teach otherwise' and do not hold to the words of Jesus and to teaching that leads to godliness. 1 Timothy 6:31 Timothy 6:4

Paul says the false teachers' constant quarrels come from corrupt minds that have lost hold of the truth. They think godliness is a way to get rich. Timothy is to withdraw from such people. 1 Timothy 6:41 Timothy 6:5Strong's G4200Strong's G0868

The letter was sent to Ephesus, a wealthy port city and capital of the Roman province of Asia. The text does not say where it was written, though Paul may have been in Macedonia. 1 Timothy overview

ACHAIAASIAGALATIAAegean SeaEphesusLaodiceaMiletusPhilippiThessalonicaCorinth

The eventsTimothy was leading the church at Ephesus after Paul went on to Macedonia. False teaching was arising inside the church. 1 Timothy overview

WrittenTraditional view: about AD 62-64, between Paul's two Roman imprisonments. Scholarly view: many critical scholars date it around AD 80-110. 1 Timothy overview

HereThe letter teaches Timothy how to lead the church, including how to confront false teachers. This verse marks such teachers by their quarreling and their greed, and tells Timothy to keep his distance. 1 Timothy overview1 Timothy 6:5

In the whole of ScriptureA main theme of the letter is that sound teaching produces godly living. The chapter warns that the desire to be rich leads people to wander from the faith, and it calls for contentment instead. 1 Timothy overview1 Timothy 6:61 Timothy 6:91 Timothy 6:10

For readersReligion used to make a profit is a warning sign. Other New Testament letters also warn against teachers who exploit believers for money and tell believers to avoid those who cause division. Titus 1:112 Peter 2:3Romans 16:172 Timothy 3:5

  • gainπορισμός
    Greek · porismos · G4200

    The Greek word means 'a means of gain.' The KJV's 'gain is godliness' is clearer as 'godliness is a means of gain.' It describes people who use religion to make money. Verse 6 reuses the word to say true gain is godliness with contentment. Strong's G42001 Timothy 6:6

  • godlinessεὐσέβεια
    Greek · eusebeia · G2150

    The word means reverence or piety toward God. It is a key word in this letter, used again in 6:3, 6:6, and 6:11. The teachers misuse the very quality Timothy is told to pursue. Strong's G21501 Timothy 6:31 Timothy 6:11

  • perverse disputingsπαραδιατριβή
    Greek · paradiatribē · G3859

    The word means constant friction or mutual irritation, a picture of useless, never-ending wrangling. It is not honest discussion. Strong's G3859

  • destituteἀποστερέω
    Greek · apostereō · G0650

    The verb means to defraud or rob, and here 'bereft of.' It pictures people who once had the truth but are now deprived of it. Strong's G0650

  • withdrawἀφίστημι
    Greek · aphistēmi · G0868

    The verb means to stand off or keep away from. It tells Timothy what to do about such teachers: keep his distance from them. Strong's G0868

Takeaway

This verse does not praise wealth. It condemns teachers who treat godliness as a way to make money. The answer comes in the next verse: real gain is godliness with contentment. 1 Timothy 6:51 Timothy 6:6Strong's G4200

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-22.

The world around the text

Behind this verse

Ephesus: The church at Ephesus
Priscilla and Aquila taught there, and Paul stayed about three years, teaching daily in the school of Tyrannus. Saying farewell to its elders, he warned that from among themselves men would arise "speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." Acts 18:24-26Acts 19:9-10Acts 20:17Acts 20:29-31

About AD 62-64. Roman emperor: Nero (AD 54-68). Where Timothy was when Paul wrote. A port city on the west coast of today's Turkey and the greatest market of the province of Asia.

Who ruled
  • Roman emperorNeroAD 54-68

    Emperor over the whole Roman world, including Ephesus, Macedonia and Judea. When Paul appealed to Caesar as a Roman citizen, the Caesar was Nero. Paul tells Timothy to have prayers made "for kings, and for all that are in authority." Acts 25:10-12Acts 28:161 Timothy 2:1-2Suetonius, NeroTacitus, Annals 13-16

  • Governor of the province where Ephesus stoodThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms

    Asia was governed by a proconsul, a former consul appointed by the Senate for a year at a time, who heard cases in the province's leading cities. During the riot in Ephesus the town clerk reminded the crowd that "the law is open, and there are deputies" (proconsuls). Acts 19:38-39Strabo, Geography 17.3.25

  • Jewish client kingHerod Agrippa IIc. AD 50-90s

    Ruled territories north and east of Galilee under Rome and had the right to appoint the high priest in Jerusalem. He heard Paul's defense with Festus and told him, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts 25:13Acts 26:28Josephus, Antiquities 20.179, 20.203

  • Roman governors of JudeaFestus, Albinus and Florusc. AD 59-66

    Porcius Festus sent Paul to Rome and died in office around AD 62. Lucceius Albinus (62-64) and Gessius Florus (64-66) followed; Josephus blames Florus's greed and brutality for pushing Judea into revolt. Acts 24:27Acts 25:12Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203, 20.252-258Josephus, Jewish War 2.271-308

  • King of ParthiaVologases Ic. AD 51-78

    Ruler of the Parthian empire east of the Euphrates, Rome's one great rival. He fought Rome over Armenia until a settlement in AD 63 let his brother Tiridates rule Armenia as Rome's client. Tacitus, Annals 15.1-17, 15.24-31Cassius Dio, Roman History 62.19-23

What was happening, AD 58 to AD 68
  1. AD 58-63
    WarRome and Parthia fight over Armenia

    Roman armies under Corbulo took the Armenian capitals Artaxata and Tigranocerta. In AD 62 a second Roman army under Paetus surrendered at Rhandeia, and in AD 63 the two empires made peace. Tacitus, Annals 13.34-41, 14.23-26, 15.1-17, 15.24-31

  2. AD 60
    DisasterEarthquake destroys Laodicea

    Laodicea, about 150 km (95 miles) east of Ephesus in the same province, was ruined by an earthquake and rebuilt from its own wealth without help from Rome. Paul's letters mention the church there, and Revelation later quotes the city's boast, "I am rich." Tacitus, Annals 14.27Colossians 4:13-16Revelation 3:17

  3. AD 60-61
    WarBoudica's revolt in Britain

    Boudica, queen of the Iceni, led a rising that burned Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London) and Verulamium before the Roman governor Suetonius Paulinus defeated her. Tacitus, Annals 14.29-39

  4. c. AD 60-62
    The churchPaul under guard in Rome

    Paul lived two whole years in Rome under house arrest, receiving visitors and preaching openly. The traditional date for 1 Timothy places it soon after his release. Acts 28:16Acts 28:30-31

  5. c. AD 61-63
    DiscoveryNero's expedition up the Nile

    Nero sent a party of soldiers to find the source of the Nile. They travelled far beyond Egypt and reached vast marshes they could not cross, likely the Sudd in today's South Sudan. The date is approximate. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.8.3-4Pliny, Natural History 6.181

  6. AD 62
    The churchJames, the Lord's brother, is killed in Jerusalem

    Festus died in office. Before the next governor arrived, the high priest Ananus had "James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ" and others stoned. Ananus was removed after three months. Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203Galatians 1:19Acts 15:13

  7. AD 62 or 63
    DisasterEarthquake hits Pompeii

    An earthquake badly damaged Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, seventeen years before Vesuvius buried them. Seneca dates it to AD 62; Tacitus to AD 63. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.1Tacitus, Annals 15.22

  8. c. AD 62
    DiscoveryHero of Alexandria's machines

    The engineer Hero of Alexandria, whose work is dated by an eclipse of AD 62 he describes, wrote up a steam-spun sphere (the aeolipile) and a coin-operated machine that dispensed water in temples. Hero, Pneumatics 1.21, 2.11Hero, Dioptra 35

  9. c. AD 63-64
    BuildingJerusalem's temple is finished

    Work on the temple Herod began around 20 BC was completed under Albinus, leaving some 18,000 workers without jobs. Six years later Roman armies destroyed it, as Jesus had foretold. Josephus, Antiquities 20.219-222John 2:20Luke 21:5-6

  10. July AD 64
    DisasterThe Great Fire of Rome

    Fire burned for days. Of Rome's fourteen districts, three were destroyed and seven badly damaged. Nero then built his vast Golden House on the cleared land. Tacitus, Annals 15.38-43Suetonius, Nero 31, 38

  11. AD 64
    The churchNero blames and kills Christians

    To end rumours that he had started the fire, Nero blamed the Christians of Rome. Tacitus records a "vast multitude" put to death, some torn by dogs and some burned as torches. Tacitus, Annals 15.44Suetonius, Nero 16.2

  12. AD 65
    RulersA plot against Nero fails

    The Pisonian conspiracy to kill Nero was betrayed. Among those forced to take their own lives was Seneca, Nero's former tutor and the brother of Gallio, the governor who dismissed the case against Paul in Corinth. Tacitus, Annals 15.48-74Acts 18:12-17

  13. AD 66
    WarThe Jewish revolt begins

    After Florus seized money from the temple treasury, Jerusalem rose against Rome and the daily sacrifice offered for the emperor was stopped. The war ended with Jerusalem and its temple destroyed in AD 70. Josephus, Jewish War 2.293-308, 2.409-410Luke 21:20-24

  14. AD 66-67
    BuildingNero tours Greece and starts a canal at Corinth

    Nero competed in the Greek games and broke ground for a canal across the Isthmus of Corinth. The work stopped after his death; the canal was finally cut in 1893. Suetonius, Nero 19, 22-24

  15. c. AD 67
    The churchPaul's death in Rome

    In his last letter Paul writes from prison that "the time of my departure is at hand." Early Christian tradition says he was beheaded in Rome under Nero. 2 Timothy 4:6-8Eusebius, Church History 2.25

  16. June AD 68
    RulersNero dies

    Facing revolt in the provinces and declared an enemy by the Senate, Nero took his own life. Four emperors ruled in turn during the following year before Vespasian took power. Suetonius, Nero 47-49Tacitus, Histories 1.2

The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then the ancient historians who wrote about these years (Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Seneca, Pliny the Elder, Strabo, Cassius Dio). Dates are as those writers give them; approximate dates say so. Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
[and] constant frictionsδιαπαρατριβαὶdiaparatribaiG3859
contention

παραδιατριβή (paradiatribē) παρα-δια-τριβή, -ῆς, ἡ useless wrangling: seel. in Rec. for διαπαρατριβή (which see), 1Ti.6:5.† δια-παρα-τριβή, -ῆς, ἡ (παρατριβή, friction, irritation) mutual irritation (Field, Notes, 211), wrangling: 1Ti.6:5 (Rec. παραδιατριβή).† (AS)

corruptedδιεφθαρμένωνdiephtharmenōnG1311
to destroy

διαφθείρω (diaphtheirō) δια-φθείρω [in LXX chiefly for שָׁחַת hi. ;] 1. to destroy utterly: Luk.12:33, Rev.11:18; pass., to be destroyed, disabled: Rev.8:9, 2Co.4:16. 2. In moral sense, to corrupt, deprave: τ. γῆν, Rev.11:18; pass., διεφθαρμένοι τ. νοῦν, 1Ti.6:5.† (AS)

among menἀνθρώπωνanthrōpōnG0444
a human

ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) ἄνθρωπος, -ου, ὁ, [in LXX chiefly for אִישׁ ,אָדָם, also for אֱנוֹשׁ, etc. ;] man: 1. generically, a human being, male or female (Lat. homo): Jhn.16:21; with art., Mat.4:4 12:35, Mrk.2:27, Jhn.2:25, Rom.7:1, al; disting. from God, Mat.19:6, Jhn.10:33, Col.3:23, al.; from animals, etc., Mat.4:19, Luk.5:10, Rev.9:4, al.; implying human frailty and imperfection, 1Co.3:4; σοφία ἀνθρώπων, 1Co.2:5; ἀνθρώπων ἐπιθυμίαι, 1Pe.4:2; κατὰ ἄνθρωπον περιπατεῖν, 1Co.3:3; κατὰ ἄ. λέγειν (λαλεῖν), Rom.3:5, 1Co.9:8; κατὰ ἄ- λέγειν, Gal.3:15 (cf. 1Co.15:32, Gal.1:11); by meton., of man's nature or condition, ὁ …

in mindνοῦνnounG3563
mind

νοῦς (nous) νοῦς (contr. from νόος), ὁ, genitive, dative, νοός, νοΐ (late forms, = cl., νοῦ, νῷ; Bl., § 9, 3), accusative, νοῦν, [in LXX chiefly for לֵב, לֵבָב ;] 1. prop., of the ruling faculty, mind, understanding, reason (see Lft., Notes, 88 f.; Vaughan on Rom.7:23): Luk.24:45, Rom.1:28 7:23 12:2 14:5, Eph.4:17, 23 Php.4:7, 2Th.2:2, 1Ti.6:5, 2Ti.3:8, Tit.1:15, Rev.13:18 17:9; ν. τ. σαρκός (ICC, in l), Col.2:18; opposite to σάρξ, Rom.7:25; to πνεῦμα, 1Co.14:14-15; to γλῶσσα, 1Co.14:19 2. By meton., of an act of mind, a mind, thought, purpose: Rom.11:34 = 1Co.2:16" (LXX), 1Co.1:10.† νόος, see: νοῦς …

andκαὶkaiG2532
and

καί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. …

defraudedἀπεστερημένωνapesterēmenōnG0650
to defraud

ἀποστερέω (apostereō) ἀπο-στερέω, -ῶ (στερέω, to rob), [in LXX: Exo.21:10 (גָּרַע), Deu.24:14 (עָשַׁק), Mal.3:5, Sir.4:1 29:6-7 31:21-22 * ;] to defraud, deprive of, despoil (in cl. chiefly of the misappropriation of trust funds, Field, Notes, 33; cf. MM, see word): absol., Mrk.10:19, 1Co.6:8; with accusative of person(s), 1Co.7:5. Mid., endure deprivation: 1Co.6:7 (WM, § 38, 3; but see Bl., § 54, 5; M, Pr., 162); pass., ἀπεστερημένοι, bereft of: 1Ti.6:5.† (AS)

truth,ἀληθείας,alētheiasG0225
truth

ἀλήθεια (alētheia) ἀλήθεια, -ας, ἡ (ἀληθής), [in LXX chiefly for אֱמֶת (on which, see Cremer, 627f.), אֱמוּנָה ;] truth (see DB, iv, 818f.). 1. Objectively, "the reality lying at the basis of an appearance; the manifested, veritable essence of a matter" (Cremer, 86): Rom.9:1, al.; of religious truth, Rom.1:25, al.; esp. of Christian doctrine, Gal.2:5, al.; ἀ. θεοῦ, Rom.15:8. 2. Subjectively, truthfulness, truth, not merely verbal (cl.), but sincerity and integrity of character: Jhn.8:44, 3Jo.3. …

holdingνομιζόντωνnomizontōnG3543
to think

νομίζω (nomizō) νομίζω (νόμος), [in LXX: Wis.13:2 17:3, Sir.29:4, 1-28; 2Ma.4:1-50, 4Ma.8:1-29 * ;] 1. to practise, hold by custom: Act.16:13 (Rec., but see infr.). 2. to deem, consider, suppose: Mat.5:17 10:34 20:10, Luk.2:44 3:23, Act.7:25 8:20 14:19 16:13, 27 17:29 21:29, 1Co.7:26 7:36, 1Ti.6:5.† SYN.: ἡγέομαι, q.v (AS)

a means of gainπορισμὸνporismonG4200
gain

πορισμός (porismos) πορισμός, -ου, ὁ (πορίζω, to procure), [in LXX: Wis.13:19 14:2 * ;] 1. a providing. 2. a means of gain: 1Ti.6:5-6 (Polyb., al.).† (AS)

to beεἶναιeinaiG1511
to exist

εἶναι (einai) εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. I. As substantive verb. 1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. 2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. …

godlinessεὐσέβειανeusebeianG2150
piety

εὐσέβεια (eusebeia) εὐ-σέβεια, -ας, ἡ (εὐσεβής, which see), [in LXX: Pro.1:7, Isa.33:6 (יִרְאָה), Pro.13:11 (aliter in Heb.), Isa.11:2 (יְהוָֹה יִרְאָה), I Est.1:23, Wis.10:12, Sir.49:3, and very frequently in 4Mac ;] 1. piety, reverence (towards parents and others). 2. piety towards God, godliness: Act.3:12, 1Ti.2:2 4:7-8 6:5-6 6:11, 2Pe.1:3 1:6-7; τὸ τῆς εὐ. μυστήριον, 1Ti.3:16; ἡ κατ᾽ εὐ. διδασκαλία, 1Ti.6:3; ἡ ἀλήθεια ἡ κατ᾽ εὐ., Tit.1:1; μόρφωσις εὐσεβείας, 2Ti.3:5; pl. (see Bl., § 32, 6; Mayor on Jas.2:1), 2Pe.3:11 (on the use of εὐ. and cognates in Past. Epp., see CGT, on 1Ti.2:2; cf. also Cremer, 524).† …

do departἈφίστασοAphistasoG0868
to leave

ἀφίστημι (aphistēmi) ἀφ-ίστημι [in LXX for סוּר, מָעַל, etc. (41 words in all) ;] 1. trans. in pres., impf., fut., 1 aor., to put away, lead away; metaphorically, to move to revolt: Act.5:37. 2. Intrans. in pf., plpf., 2 aor., to stand off, depart from, withdraw from: with genitive, Luk.2:37; before ἀπό, Luk.4:13 13:27, Act.5:38 12:10 15:38 19:9 22:29, 2Co.12:8; metaphorically, ἀπὸ ἀδικίας, 2Ti.2:19; ἀπὸ θεοῦ, (fall away, apostatize), Heb.3:12 Mid. (exc. 1 aor., WH. is trans.), to withdraw oneself from, absent oneself from: Luk.2:37; metaphorically, fall away, apostatize: absol., Luk.8:13; with genitive, 1Ti.4: …

fromἀπὸapoG0575
away from

ἀπό (apo) ἀπό (on the frequently neglect of elision bef. vowels, see Tdf., Pr., 94, WH, App., 146), prep. with genitive (WM, 462ff.; on its relation to ἐκ, παρά, ὑπό, ib. 456f.), [in LXX for לְ ,בְּ ,מִן ;] from (i.e. from the exterior). 1. Of separation and cessation; (1) of motion from a place: Mat.5:29, 30 7:23, Luk.5:2 22:41, al.; (2) in partitive sense (M, Pr., 72, 102, 245; MM, see word; Bl., §40, 2), Mat.9:16 27:21, Jhn.21:10, Act.5:2, al.; also after verbs of eating, etc.; …

such.τοιούτων.¶toioutōnG5108
such as this

τοιοῦτος (toioutos) τοιοῦτος, -αύτη, -οῦτο (as usually in Att.. prose. Ep. and Ion. neut. -οῦτον in Al., Act.21:25, Rec. only), correlat. of οἷος, ὁποῖος, ὥς, etc., such as this, of such a kind, such: Mat.9:8 18:5, Mrk.4:33 6:2 7:13 9:37 (T, τούτων), Jhn.9:16, Act.16:24, 1Co.5:1 11:16, 2Co.3:4 3:12 12:3, Heb.7:26 8:1 12:3 13:16, Jas.4:16; οἷος . . . τ., 1Co.15:48, 2Co.10:11; id. pleonast. (see Bl., § 50, 4), Mrk.13:19; before ὁποῖος, Act.26:29; ὥς, Phm 9. As subst., anarth: pl., Luk.9:9; with art., ὁ τ., such a one (Bl., § 47, 9; Ellic. on Gal.5:21): Act.22:22, 1Co.5:5, al.; pl., Mat.19:14, Mrk.10:14, al.; neut …

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.