Read & explore together
Godliness with Contentment
These verses teach that real gain is not found in getting more money, but in a life shaped by godliness and satisfied with what is needed. The passage also gives a serious warning about the danger of loving money.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In this part of the letter, the writer gives direct teaching about gain, contentment, possessions, wealth, greed and sorrow. The passage moves from a short positive statement about godliness with contentment to reasons for contentment and then to warnings about the desire to be rich and the love of money.
1 Timothy 6:6–10Main takeaway
This passage teaches that godliness joined with contentment is true gain, while the desire for riches and the love of money lead people into spiritual and painful trouble.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Great gain that is different from wealthThe passage begins with a surprising claim: “godliness with contentment is great gain”. Gain here is not described as profit, status or possessions.
Explanation
The passage begins with a surprising claim: “godliness with contentment is great gain”. Gain here is not described as profit, status or possessions. It is linked to a life that honours God and rests in what one has. The verse shifts attention from getting more to living rightly and contentedly.
02Why contentment makes senseThe next reason is simple and universal. People bring nothing into the world and cannot carry anything out.
Explanation
The next reason is simple and universal. People bring nothing into the world and cannot carry anything out. Because possessions do not stay with us forever, they are not the measure of lasting gain. The passage then names basic needs, saying that food and clothing are enough for contentment.
03The trap of wanting to be richThe warning becomes stronger in verse 9. It speaks about those who are determined to be rich.
Explanation
The warning becomes stronger in verse 9. It speaks about those who are determined to be rich. That fixed desire leads into temptation and a snare. The passage also describes “many foolish and harmful lusts”, showing that this pursuit can pull people into choices that end in ruin and destruction.
04The love of money brings many sorrowsThe final verse does not say money itself is every evil. It says the love of money is “a root of all kinds of evil”.
Explanation
The final verse does not say money itself is every evil. It says the love of money is “a root of all kinds of evil”. Greed can lead some away from the faith. Instead of gaining peace, they wound themselves, being “pierced… through with many sorrows”. The warning is moral and spiritual, not merely financial.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does the passage call “great gain”, and how is that different from ordinary ideas of gain?
Look closely at the exact phrase in verse 6 and compare it with the later warnings about riches and money.
02What reasons does the passage give for being content with food and clothing?
Use the logic of verses 7 and 8 about what we bring into the world and what we take out.
03According to these verses, what dangers come from being determined to be rich or loving money?
List the consequences named in verses 9 and 10, including temptation, a snare, ruin, being led astray and sorrows.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Timothy 6:6–10
6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out.
8But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.
9But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.
10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.