The Meaning of 1 Timothy 6:5 Explained

1 Timothy 6:5

KJV: Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

YLT: wranglings of men wholly corrupted in mind, and destitute of the truth, supposing the piety to be gain; depart from such;

Darby: constant quarrellings of men corrupted in mind and destitute of the truth, holding gain to be the end of piety.

ASV: wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Perverse disputings  of men  of corrupt  minds,  and  destitute  of the truth,  supposing  that gain  is  godliness:  from  such  withdraw thyself. 

What does 1 Timothy 6:5 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Timothy 6:1-10 - Godliness Is True Gain
The Apostle gives rules for the treatment of the slaves who rendered service in the households of that time. If the slave was in the household of a heathen master, he must honor and glorify Christ by being respectful and obedient; but if the master was a Christian, and therefore a brother in the Lord, he was still required to yield courteous and willing service. Service rendered for the love of God must not be inferior to that rendered from fear of man.
There were many false teachers in the early Church, the chief aim of whom was to make money. They were proud and distempered, jealous and suspicious, juggling with words and given to splitting hairs. Godliness truly is great gain. It makes us content with what we have, and it opens to us stores of blessedness which the wealth of a Croesus could not buy. It is good to have just what is necessary. More than that breeds anxiety. Let us leave the provision for our needs with God. He is pledged to give food and covering, the latter including shelter. Not money, but the love of it opens the sluices and floodgates of the soul, through which wash the destroying waters of passion that drown men in destruction and perdition. Remember that you can carry nothing out of this world except your character. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Timothy 6

1  Of the duty of servants
3  Not to have fellowship with newfangled teachers
6  Godliness is great gain;
10  and love of money the root of all evil
11  What Timothy is to flee, and what to follow
17  and whereof to admonish the rich
20  To keep the purity of true doctrine, and to avoid godless ideas

Greek Commentary for 1 Timothy 6:5

Wranglings [διαπαρατριβαι]
Late and rare (Clem. of Alex.) double compound “Mutual irritations” (Field). [source]
Corrupted in mind [διεπταρμενων τον νουν]
Perfect passive participle of διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō to corrupt, genitive case agreeing with αντρωπων — anthrōpōn (of men) and retaining the accusative τον νουν — ton noun Bereft of the truth (απεστερημενων της αλητειας — apesterēmenōn tēs alētheias). Perfect passive participle of αποστερεω — apostereō old verb (1 Corinthians 6:8) with the ablative case after it (αλητειας — alētheias). A way of gain Late word from ποριζω — porizō to provide, to gain. Only here in N.T. “Rich Christians.” Predicate accusative with ειναι — einai (indirect assertion) in apposition with ευσεβειαν — eusebeian the accusative of general reference. [source]
Bereft of the truth [απεστερημενων της αλητειας]
Perfect passive participle of αποστερεω — apostereō old verb (1 Corinthians 6:8) with the ablative case after it (αλητειας — alētheias). [source]
A way of gain [πορισμον]
Late word from ποριζω — porizō to provide, to gain. Only here in N.T. “Rich Christians.” Predicate accusative with ειναι — einai (indirect assertion) in apposition with ευσεβειαν — eusebeian the accusative of general reference. [source]
Perverse disputings [διαπαρατριβαὶ]
N.T.oolxx, oClass. Παρατριβή , is a rubbing against. Διὰ signifies continuance. The meaning therefore is continued friction. Hence wearing discussion; protracted wrangling. [source]
Of corrupt minds [διεφθαρμένων τὸν νοῦν]
More correctly, corrupted in mind. The verb not common in N.T. In Paul only 2 Corinthians 4:16. Only here in Pastorals. Διαφθορά corruptiononly in Acts. Comp. κατεφθαρμένοι τὸν νοῦν corruptedin mind, 2 Timothy 3:8. [source]
Destitute of the truth [ἀπεστερημένων τῆς ἀληθείας]
Rev. bereft of the truth. In N.T. commonly of defrauding, Mark 10:19; 1 Corinthians 6:7, 1 Corinthians 6:8; 1 Corinthians 7:5. The implication is that they once possessed the truth. They put it away from themselves (1 Timothy 1:19; Titus 1:14). Here it is represented as taken away from them. Comp. Romans 1:8. [source]
Gain is godliness [πορισμὸν εἶναι τὴν εὐσέβειαν]
Wrong. Rend. that godliness is a way (or source ) of gain. Πορισμὸς , only here and 1 Timothy 6:6, is a gain-making business. See Wisd. 13:19; 14:2. They make religion a means of livelihood. Comp. Titus 1:11. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Timothy 6:5

1 Corinthians 6:7 Suffer yourselves to be defrauded [ἀποστερεῖσθε]
Rev., more literally, “why not rather be defrauded? ” In classical Greek the word means, 1. to rob or despoil. 2. to detach or withdraw one's self from a person or thing. Ἁποστερεῖν ἑαυτόν was a regular phrase for separation from civic life. So Oedipus says: “I, noblest of the sons of Thebes, have cut myself off ( ἀπεστέρης ἐμαυτόν . Sophocles, “Oedipus Tyrannus,” 1381). 3. To withhold or avert. So Io to Prometheus: “Do not, after proffering me a benefit, withhold it” (“Prometheus,” 796). The maidens say: “May King Zeus avert the hateful marriage” (Aeschylus, “Suppliants,” 1063). In the New Testament the word occurs five times. In Mark 10:19, defraud not is apparently Mark's rendering of the tenth commandment. According to the inner meaning of the commandment as conceived by Jesus, the coveting of another's goods is, in heart, a depriving him of them. In 1 Corinthians 7:5it is used of connubial relations. In 1 Timothy 6:5, of those who are deprived or destitute of the truth. Dr. Morison, on Mark 10:19, justly observes that defraud is too narrow a rendering. The word means rather “to deprive of what is one's due, whether by 'hook,' 'crook,' or force, or in any other way.” [source]
2 Corinthians 2:17 Which corrupt [καπηλεύοντες]
Only here in the New Testament. From κάπηλος ahuckster or pedler; also a tavernkeeper. The κάπηλοι formed a distinct class among the Greek dealers, distinguished from the ἐυπόροι merchantsor wholesale dealers. So Plato: “Is not retailer ( καπήλους ) the term which is applied to those who sit in the market-place buying and selling, while those who wander from one city to another are called merchants?” (“Republic,” 371; compare “Statesman,” 260) The term included dealers in victuals and all sorts of wares, but was especially applied to retailers of wine, with whom adulteration and short measure were matters of course. Galen speaks of wine-dealers καπηλεύοντες τοὺς οἴνους playingtricks with their wines; mixing the new, harsh wines, so as to make them pass for old. These not only sold their wares in the market, but had καπηλεῖα wine-shopsall over the town, where it was not thought respectable to take refreshments. The whole trade was greatly despised. In Thebes no one who had sold in the market within the last ten years was allowed to take part in the government. So Plato, speaking of the evils of luxury and poverty: “What remedy can a city of sense find against this disease? In the first place, they must have as few retail traders as possible” (“Laws,” 919. The whole passage is well worth reading). The moral application of the term was familiar in classical Greek. Lucian says: “The philosophers deal out their instructions like hucksters.” Plato: “Those who carry about the wares of knowledge, and make the round of the cities, and sell or retail them to any customer who is in want of them, praise them all alike; though I should not wonder if many of them were really ignorant of their effect upon the soul; and their customers equally ignorant, unless he who buys of them happens to be a physician of the soul” (“Protagoras,” 313). Paul here uses the term of those who trade in the word of God, adulterating it for the purpose of gain or popularity. Compare 1 Timothy 6:5, Rev. In the “Teaching of the Twelve Apostles” occurs the word χριστέμπορος aChrist-monger (ch. xii., 5). [source]
2 Timothy 3:8 Of corrupt minds [κατεφθαρμένοι τὸν νοῦν]
Better, corrupted in mind. The verb, N.T.oComp. διεφθαρμένων τὸν νοῦν corruptedin mind, 1 Timothy 6:5. [source]
2 Timothy 3:8 Jannes and Jambres [Ιαννης και Ιαμβρης]
Traditional names of the magicians who withstood Moses (Targum of Jonathan on Exodus 7:11). Withstood (αντεστησαν — antestēsan). Second aorist active (intransitive) of αντιστημι — anthistēmi to stand against, “they stood against” (with dative Μωυσει — Mōusei). Same word used of Elymas in Acts 13:8 and repeated here αντιστανται — anthistantai (present middle indicative). Paul here pictures the seducers of the γυναικαρια — gunaikaria above. Corrupted in mind Perfect passive participle of καταπτειρω — kataphtheirō old compound, in N.T. only here in critical text. See on 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 6:5 for διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō The accusative νουν — noun is retained in the passive. Reprobate (αδοκιμοι — adokimoi). See note on 1 Corinthians 9:27; Titus 1:16. They had renounced their trust (πιστιν — pistin) in Christ. [source]
2 Timothy 3:8 Corrupted in mind [κατεπταρμενοι τον νουν]
Perfect passive participle of καταπτειρω — kataphtheirō old compound, in N.T. only here in critical text. See on 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 6:5 for διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō The accusative νουν — noun is retained in the passive. Reprobate (αδοκιμοι — adokimoi). See note on 1 Corinthians 9:27; Titus 1:16. They had renounced their trust (πιστιν — pistin) in Christ. [source]
Titus 1:11 Overthrow [ανατρεπουσιν]
Old and common verb, to turn up, to overturn. In N.T. only here and 2 Timothy 2:18. In papyri to upset a family by perversion of one member. Things which they ought not (α μη δει — ha mē dei). Note subjective negative μη — mē with indefinite relative and indicative mode. For filthy lucre‘s sake The Cretans are given a bad reputation for itinerating prophets for profit by Polybius, Livy, Plutarch. Paul‘s warnings in 1 Timothy 3:3, 1 Timothy 3:8; 1 Timothy 6:5 reveal it as “a besetting temptation of the professional teacher” (Parry). See Titus 1:7 above. Disgraceful gain, made in shameful ways. [source]
Titus 1:11 For filthy lucre‘s sake [αισχρου κερδους χαριν]
The Cretans are given a bad reputation for itinerating prophets for profit by Polybius, Livy, Plutarch. Paul‘s warnings in 1 Timothy 3:3, 1 Timothy 3:8; 1 Timothy 6:5 reveal it as “a besetting temptation of the professional teacher” (Parry). See Titus 1:7 above. Disgraceful gain, made in shameful ways. [source]
Revelation 11:18 To destroy [διαπτειραι]
First aorist active infinitive of διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō carrying on the construction with καιρος — kairos Note τους διαπτειροντας — tous diaphtheirontas “those destroying” the earth (corrupting the earth). There is a double sense in διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō that justifies this play on the word. See Revelation 19:2. In 1 Timothy 6:5 we have those “corrupted in mind” God will destroy the destroyers (1 Corinthians 3:16.). [source]
Revelation 11:18 Thy wrath came [ηλτεν η οργη σου]
Second aorist active indicative of ερχομαι — erchomai the prophetic aorist again. The Dies Irae is conceived as already come.The time of the dead to be judged (ο καιρος των νεκρων κριτηναι — ho kairos tōn nekrōn krithēnai). For this use of καιρος — kairos see Mark 11:13; Luke 21:24. By “the dead” John apparently means both good and bad (John 5:25; Acts 24:21), coincident with the resurrection and judgment (Mark 4:29; Revelation 14:15.; Revelation 20:1-15). The infinitive κριτηναι — krithēnai is the first aorist passive of κρινω — krinō epexegetic use with the preceding clause, as is true also of δουναι — dounai (second aorist active infinitive of διδωμι — didōmi), to give.Their reward This will come in the end of the day (Matthew 20:8), from God (Matthew 6:1), at the Lord‘s return (Revelation 22:12), according to each one‘s work (1 Corinthians 3:8).The small and the great (τους μικρους και τους μεγαλους — tous mikrous kai tous megalous). The accusative here is an anacoluthon and fails to agree in case with the preceding datives after δουναι τον μιστον — dounai ton misthon though some MSS. have the dative τοις μικροις — tois mikrois etc. John is fond of this phrase “the small and the great” (Revelation 13:16; Revelation 19:5, Revelation 19:18; Revelation 20:12).To destroy First aorist active infinitive of διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō carrying on the construction with καιρος — kairos Note τους διαπτειροντας — tous diaphtheirontas “those destroying” the earth (corrupting the earth). There is a double sense in διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō that justifies this play on the word. See Revelation 19:2. In 1 Timothy 6:5 we have those “corrupted in mind” God will destroy the destroyers (1 Corinthians 3:16.). [source]
Revelation 11:18 Their reward [τον μιστον]
This will come in the end of the day (Matthew 20:8), from God (Matthew 6:1), at the Lord‘s return (Revelation 22:12), according to each one‘s work (1 Corinthians 3:8).The small and the great (τους μικρους και τους μεγαλους — tous mikrous kai tous megalous). The accusative here is an anacoluthon and fails to agree in case with the preceding datives after δουναι τον μιστον — dounai ton misthon though some MSS. have the dative τοις μικροις — tois mikrois etc. John is fond of this phrase “the small and the great” (Revelation 13:16; Revelation 19:5, Revelation 19:18; Revelation 20:12).To destroy First aorist active infinitive of διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō carrying on the construction with καιρος — kairos Note τους διαπτειροντας — tous diaphtheirontas “those destroying” the earth (corrupting the earth). There is a double sense in διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō that justifies this play on the word. See Revelation 19:2. In 1 Timothy 6:5 we have those “corrupted in mind” God will destroy the destroyers (1 Corinthians 3:16.). [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Timothy 6:5 mean?

[and] constant frictions corrupted among men - in mind and destitute of the truth holding a means of gain to be - godliness Withdraw from from such
διαπαρατριβαὶ διεφθαρμένων ἀνθρώπων τὸν νοῦν καὶ ἀπεστερημένων τῆς ἀληθείας νομιζόντων πορισμὸν εἶναι τὴν εὐσέβειαν ⧼Ἀφίστασο ἀπὸ τῶν τοιούτων⧽

διαπαρατριβαὶ  [and]  constant  frictions 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Plural
Root: διαπαρατριβή 
Sense: useless occupation, empty business, misemployment.
διεφθαρμένων  corrupted 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: διαφθείρω  
Sense: to change for the worse, to corrupt.
ἀνθρώπων  among  men 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
τὸν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
νοῦν  in  mind 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: νοῦς  
Sense: the mind, comprising alike the faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining.
ἀπεστερημένων  destitute 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ἀποστερέω 
Sense: to defraud, rob, despoil.
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀληθείας  truth 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἀλήθεια  
Sense: objectively.
νομιζόντων  holding 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: νομίζω  
Sense: to hold by custom or usage, own as a custom or usage, to follow a custom or usage.
πορισμὸν  a  means  of  gain 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: πορισμός  
Sense: acquisition, gain.
εἶναι  to  be 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
εὐσέβειαν  godliness 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: εὐσέβεια  
Sense: reverence, respect.
⧼Ἀφίστασο  Withdraw 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Middle, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἀφίστημι  
Sense: to make stand off, cause to withdraw, to remove.
τοιούτων⧽  such 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: τοιοῦτος  
Sense: such as this, of this kind or sort.