1 Timothy 6:6

“But godliness actually is. means of great gain”: The word “but” introduces. contrast between the erroneous view mentioned in 1 Timothy 6:5 and the correct view held by Christians. “The verb ‘is' stands emphatically forward, such is actually the case, Paul insists, when it is combined with an inner attitude of contentment. Contentment is literally self-sufficiency.. state of contentment makes one independent of outward circumstances, satisfied with one's inner resources, enabling one to maintain. spiritual equilibrium in the midst of favorable as well as unfavorable circumstances. It is not. stoical indifference to or contempt for material needs” (Hiebert p. 112).

By “gain” here, Paul does not mean that being. Christian is the key to getting rich materially, rather, “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” (P.P. Comm. p. 120). An attitude that seeks to please God first combined with. trust that God will provide (Matthew 6:33) is tremendous “gain”.

“The Christian can be self-sufficient because his sufficiency is rooted and grounded in God's all-sufficiency and rests with assurance upon God's providential care. Such contentment naturally belongs to true godliness. Paul knows that man is only satisfied in God; and therefore devotion to God is the first condition of this true satisfaction, and contentedness with an earthly lot the second. Such godliness is. very different thing from the mercenary concept of false teachers” (Hiebert p. 112).

1 Timothy 6:6 “When accompanied by contentment”: Paul is not praising poverty here nor is he condemning those who have wealth. “He is declaring that in contrast to the mercenary attitude of the false teachers, ‘godliness accompanied by contentment' is greater riches than all the offerings collected by the false teachers. Paul himself had learned such contentment (1 Peter 4:11). Godliness of the right kind, then, with no mercenary thought of its being used as. steppingstone to wealth or worldly acclaim, but coupled with. pure conscience and peace of soul, will furnish satisfaction far beyond anything this world can offer. This is great gain” (Reese p. 273).

Please note that the “self-sufficiency” here is that of being self-sufficient because all our trust is in God. That is, we are grateful and content with what God has given us. In addition, real contentment is independent of both poverty and wealth (1 Peter 4:11), and finds greater enjoyment in the spiritual blessings that God has given us rather than our temporary blessings.