1 Timothy 6:5

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Timothy 6:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain.
1 Timothy 6:5 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Timothy 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, etc.] Who being corrupt in their principles, and corrupters of the word of God, dispute in a very froward and perverse way, rubbing and galling one another, and so provoke, to wrath and anger, and, every evil work: and destitute of the truth of Christ, who is the truth, knowing nothing of him spiritually and savingly; and of the Gospel, the word of truth; and also of the truth of grace, being carnal, sensual, and having not the Spirit of God. Supposing that gain is godliness; such were Simon Magus and his followers, and other false teachers, who made merchandise of men, looked everyone for his gain from his quarter, and acted as if there was…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Perverse disputings--useless disputings. The oldest manuscripts read, "lasting contests" [WIESINGER]; "incessant collisions" [ALFORD]. "Strifes of words" had already been mentioned so that he would not be likely to repeat the same idea (as in the English Version reading) again. corrupt minds--Greek, "of men corrupted (depraved) in mind." The inmost source of the evil is in the perverted mind (Ti1 6:4; Ti2 3:8; Tit 1:15). destitute of the truth-- (Tit 1:14). They had had the truth, but through want of moral integrity and of love of the truth, they were misled by a pretended deeper gnosis (knowledge) and higher ascetical holiness, of which they made a trade [WIESINGER]. supposing, &c.--The…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Perverse disputings - Margin, “gallings one of another.” In regard to the correct reading of this passage, see Bib. Repository, vol. iii. pp. 61, 62. The word which is here used in the Received Text - παραδιατρίβη paradiatribē - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It properly means “mis-employment;” then “idle occupation.” (Robinson’s Lexicon) The verb from which this is derived means to “rub in pieces, to wear away;” and hence the word here used refers to what was a mere “wearing away” of time. The idea is that of employments that merely consumed time without any advantage. The notion of contention or dispute is not necessarily implied in this passage, but the allusion is to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Supposing that gain is godliness - Thinking the best religion is the getting of money: a far more common case than is usually supposed. 1 Timothy 6:6”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:5 have turned their backs on the truth: Literally having been robbed of the truth; see 2 Tim 2:18; 3:7, 8; 4:4; Titus 1:14. • a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy (see 1 Tim 2:2; 3:8; 4:8; 6:3; see also 2 Tim 3:2; Acts 8:9-25): Just how these false teachers thought they would profit is not clear. In the wider culture there were many itinerant teachers who taught for pay. Abuse was common and often deserved the accusation that someone’s teaching was for “gain and glory.” Perhaps the false teachers of 1 Timothy were bringing this practice into the church or espousing some version of a prosperity gospel. They appear to have had an influence on wealthy believers (1 Tim 6:17-19),…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Perverse: etc. or, Gallings one of another, Ti1 1:6; Co1 11:16 men: Mat 7:17-20, Mat 12:33; Joh 3:19-21; Eph 4:17-19; Th2 2:8-11; Ti2 3:8; Tit 1:15, Tit 1:16; Heb 3:12, Heb 3:13; Jo2 1:8-10 supposing: Ti1 6:6, Ti1 3:3, Ti1 3:8; Kg2 5:20-27; Isa 56:11; Jer 6:13, Jer 8:10; Eze 33:31; Mat 21:13; Mat 23:14; Act 8:18-20, Act 19:24-28; Tit 1:11; Pe2 2:3, Pe2 2:15; Jde 1:11; Rev 18:3, Rev 18:13 from: Rom 16:17, Rom 16:18; Th2 3:6; Ti2 3:5 1 Timothy 6:6”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification