Of course,
This phrase introduces a statement that is considered self-evident or universally acknowledged among believers. It suggests that what follows is a truth that should be obvious to those who understand the teachings of the faith. In the context of Paul's letter to Timothy, it serves as a reminder of foundational Christian principles.

godliness
Godliness refers to a life that is devoted to God, characterized by reverence, piety, and a commitment to living according to His will. In the Greco-Roman world, where Timothy ministered, various philosophies and religions offered different paths to a virtuous life. However, Paul emphasizes that true godliness is rooted in a relationship with the one true God, as revealed through Jesus Christ. This aligns with other scriptural teachings, such as in 2 Peter 1:3, which speaks of God's divine power granting everything needed for life and godliness.

with contentment
Contentment is the state of being satisfied with what one has, rather than desiring more. In a culture that often equated wealth and material success with divine favor, this was a countercultural message. Contentment is a recurring theme in Paul's writings, as seen in Philippians 4:11-13, where he speaks of learning to be content in all circumstances through Christ who strengthens him. This contentment is not based on external circumstances but on an internal assurance of God's provision and care.

is great gain.
The phrase "great gain" contrasts with the worldly pursuit of wealth and material possessions. In the historical context of Ephesus, where Timothy was leading the church, there was a strong emphasis on commerce and wealth accumulation. Paul redefines true gain as spiritual rather than material, echoing Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:19-21 about storing up treasures in heaven. This perspective encourages believers to focus on eternal rewards rather than temporary, earthly ones.

1. Paul
- The apostle who authored the letter to Timothy, providing guidance and instruction for church leadership and personal conduct.

2. Timothy
- A young pastor and protégé of Paul, serving in Ephesus, who received this letter as part of his pastoral training and encouragement.

3. Ephesus
- The city where Timothy was ministering, known for its wealth and commerce, which may have influenced the church's attitudes toward material wealth.

4. Early Church
- The community of believers in the first century, navigating issues of doctrine, leadership, and practical living in a diverse and often hostile environment.Godliness and Contentment
True wealth is found in a life that reflects godliness and is satisfied with what God provides. This combination leads to spiritual richness and peace.

The Danger of Materialism
In a culture that often equates success with material gain, believers are called to a counter-cultural mindset that values spiritual growth over financial accumulation.

Contentment as a Learned Virtue
Contentment is not innate but learned through trust in God's provision and sovereignty. It requires a shift in focus from earthly desires to eternal values.

The Role of Gratitude
Practicing gratitude helps cultivate contentment by recognizing and appreciating God's blessings, both big and small, in our lives.

Eternal Perspective
Keeping an eternal perspective helps believers prioritize their lives according to God's kingdom values, leading to true fulfillment and joy.(6) But godliness with contentment is great gain.--Here the Apostle changes the subject of his letter somewhat abruptly. The monstrous thought that these wordly men dare to trade upon his dear Master's religion, dare to make out of his holy doctrine a gain--the hateful word suggests to him another danger, to which many in a congregation drawn from the population of a wealthy commercial city like Ephesus were hourly exposed. This is an admirable instance of the sudden change we often notice in the subject matter in the midst of St. Paul's Epistles, of what has been aptly termed "going off at a word." The reasoning in the writer's mind was, probably--"these false men suppose godliness will be turned into gain." Yes, though they were terribly mistaken, still there is a sense in which their miserable notion is true. True godliness is ever accompanied with perfect contentment. In this sense, godliness does bring along with it great gain to its possessor. "The heart," says Wiesinger, "amid every outward want, is then only truly rich when it not only wants nothing which it has not, but has that which raises it above what it has not."

Verse 6. - Godliness, etc. The apostle lakes up the sentiment which he had just condemned, and shows that in another sense it is most true. The godly man is rich indeed. For he wants nothing in this world but what God has given him, and has acquired riches which, unlike the riches of this world, he can take away with him (comp. Luke 12:33). The enumeration of his acquired treasures follows, after a parenthetical depreciation of those of the covetous man, in ver. 11. The thought, as so often in St. Paul, is a little intricate, and its flow checked by parenthetical side-thoughts. But it seems to be as follows: "But godliness is, in one sense, a source of great gain, and moreover brings contentment with it - contentment, I say, for since we brought nothing into the world, and can carry nothing out, we have good reason to be content with the necessaries of life, food and raiment. Indeed, those who strive for more, and pant after wealth, bring nothing but trouble upon themselves. For the love of money is the root of all evil, etc. Thou, therefore, O man of God, instead of reaching after worldly riches, procure the true wealth, and become rich in righteousness, godliness, faith," etc. (ver. 11). The phrase, Αστι δὲ πορισμὸς μέγας ἡ εὐσεβεία μετὰ αὐταρκείας, should be construed by making the μετα couple πορισμός with αὐταρκείας, so as to express that "godliness" is both "gain" and "contentment" - not as if αὐταρκεία qualified εὐσεβεία - that would have been expressed by the collocation, ἡ μετὰ αὐταρκείας εὐσεβεία. Contentment (αὐταρκεία). The word occurs elsewhere in the New Testament only in 2 Corinthians 9:8, where it is rendered, both in the R.V. and the A.V., "sufficiency." The adjective αὐτάρκης, found in Philippians 4:11 (and common in classical Greek), is rendered "content." It means "sufficient in or of itself" - needing no external aid - and is applied to persons, countries, cities, moral qualities, etc. The substantive αὐταρκεία is the condition of the person, or thing, which is αὐτάρκης.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Of course,
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

godliness
εὐσέβεια (eusebeia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2150: Piety (towards God), godliness, devotion, godliness. From eusebes; piety; specially, the gospel scheme.

with
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

contentment
αὐταρκείας (autarkeias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 841: Self-sufficiency, independence, contentment. From autarkes; self-satisfaction, i.e. contentedness, or a competence.

is
Ἔστιν (Estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

great
μέγας (megas)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

gain.
πορισμὸς (porismos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4200: A source of gain, livelihood. From a derivative of poros; furnishing, i.e. money-getting.


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NT Letters: 1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm)