1 Timothy 6:6

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Timothy 6:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But godliness with contentment is great gain:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But godliness with contentment is great gain:
1 Timothy 6:6 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Timothy 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6But godliness with contentment is great 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
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.] By “godliness” is not meant any particular grace, but all the graces of the Spirit of God; as faith, hope, love, fear, etc. the whole of internal religion, as it shows itself in outward worship, and in all acts of holiness of life and conversation; and which the doctrine that is according to godliness teaches and engages to; and this is gain, very great gain indeed. A man possessed of true godliness is a gaining, thriving, man: such as are godly, or truly gracious, they are come into good and happy circumstances, and are possessor of the true, solid, satisfying, durable, and unsearchable riches of grace; all their debts are paid, they are richly…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But--Though they err in this, there is a sense in which "piety is" not merely gain, but "great means of gain": not the gaining which they pursue, and which makes men to be discontented with their present possessions, and to use religion as "a cloak of covetousness" (Th1 2:5) and means of earthly gain, but the present and eternal gain which piety, whose accompaniment is contentment, secures to the soul. WIESINGER remarks that Paul observed in Timothy a tendency to indolence and shrinking from the conflict, whence he felt (Ti1 6:11) that Timothy needed cautioning against such temptation; compare also the second Epistle. Not merely contentment is great gain (a sentiment of the heathen CICERO…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But godliness - Piety; religion. The meaning is, that real religion should be regarded as the greatest and most valuable acquisition. “With contentment.” This word, as now used, refers to a state of mind; a calm and satisfied feeling; a freedom from murmuring and complaining. The idea is, that “piety, connected with a contented mind - or a mind acquiescing in the allotments of life - is to be regarded as the real gain.” Tyndale gives substantially the same interpretation: “Godliness is great riches, if a man be content with that he hath” Coverdale: “Howbeit, it is of great advantage, who is so godly, and holdeth him content with that he hath.” The word which is used here - αὐτάρκεια…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“But godliness with content - The inseparable companion of true, vital religion. Is great gain - Brings unspeakable profit in time, as well as eternity. 1 Timothy 6:7”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:6 with contentment: This is not just a philosophical outlook but real dependence on the sufficiency of Christ. See 4:8; 2 Cor 9:8; 12:7-10; Phil 4:10-13; Heb 13:5.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“godliness: Ti1 4:8; Psa 37:16, Psa 84:11; Pro 3:13-18, Pro 8:18-21, Pro 15:16, Pro 16:8; Mat 6:32, Mat 6:33; Luk 12:31, Luk 12:32; Rom 5:3-5, Rom 8:28; Co2 4:17, Co2 4:18, Co2 5:1; Phi 1:21; Heb 13:5 contentment: Ti1 6:8; Exo 2:21; Luk 3:14; Phi 4:11-13 1 Timothy 6:7”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification