and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to read this and think Paul is just complaining about difficult people. But notice he says they imagine godliness is a means of gain. This isn't just about greed; it's about a twisted view of spirituality itself, where faith becomes a tool to get what we want, rather than yielding to God's will.
and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In this section, Paul is warning Timothy about false teachers who are driven by greed and distorting the truth about Godliness. These individuals are causing constant arguments and division within the church, falsely believing that faith is simply another way to make a profit. Paul contrasts their corrupt thinking with the true nature of contentment that comes from godliness.
Ever feel like you're constantly bumping heads with people, even over seemingly small things? Paul talks about 'constant friction.' What causes this persistent conflict, and where does it really stem from?
The Root of Relational Friction
Paul points to two key issues as the source of this 'constant friction':
When minds are corrupted and hearts are empty of God's truth, conflict becomes inevitable. These aren't just disagreements; they're the outward signs of an inward spiritual battle.
Paul shockingly reveals that some people view 'godliness' not as devotion to God, but as a business opportunity. What does this twisted perspective look like in practice?
The Perversion of Piety
The verse hits hard with the phrase, 'imagining that godliness is a means of gain.' This isn't about earning salvation (which is by grace!), but about a spiritual mindset that seeks personal profit, advantage, or material blessing religious activity.
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Understand the original words
diephtharmenos · Greek Adjective/Participle
A corrupted, sinful, or darkened state of understanding. It describes those whose minds are distorted by sin so that they cannot perceive spiritual truth correctly.
aposterēō · Greek Verb/Participle
The state of lacking, being destitute of, or having been robbed of something. In this context, it describes the separation of an individual from the light and power of divine truth.
porismos · Greek Noun
Material benefit or profit. In the NT, it is frequently used in the context of those who wrongly view the Christian faith as a vehicle for worldly wealth or advantage.
The warning against those who saw godliness as a path to profit was particularly relevant in the wealthy, commercial cities like Ephesus, where Paul was ministering through Timothy and where various philosophical and religious groups often sought personal gain.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
The Apostle Paul spent significant time in Corinth, a bustling port city known for its wealth, diverse population, and philosophical schools. This environment was ripe for the kind of spiritual and ethical conflicts described in the letter.
c. AD 53-57
Paul's Imprisonment in Ephesus
During his extended stay in Ephesus, a major center of commerce and religious activity, Paul would have encountered various factions and false teachers who threatened the purity of the gospel message.
c. AD 60-62
Paul's First Roman Imprisonment
While imprisoned in Rome, Paul continued to guide and shepherd churches through his letters, addressing issues like false teachings and the conduct of believers, as seen in his letters to Timothy and Titus.
c. AD 65-67— this verse
Writing of 1 Timothy
The Apostle Paul, likely near the end of his life, wrote this letter to his protégé Timothy, who was ministering in Ephesus. He provided instruction on church leadership, sound doctrine, and combating the spiritual decay and deceptive teachings emerging within the community.
This passage echoes the idea of people with corrupt minds who resist the truth, similar to the 'depraved minds' mentioned in 1 Timothy 6:5.
Titus 1:11It highlights individuals who are driven by 'dishonest gain,' directly correlating with the idea in 1 Timothy 6:5 that some imagine godliness is a way to make money.
2 Peter 2:14This verse describes those with 'eyes full of adultery' and an 'inability to avoid sin,' who 'exploit' people, reinforcing the theme of corrupt motives and seeking personal profit through false means.
Matthew 6:24Jesus directly addresses the impossibility of serving both God and money, which underlies the mindset of those who see 'godliness as a means of gain' in 1 Timothy 6:5.
It's easy to read this and think Paul is just complaining about difficult people. But notice he says they imagine godliness is a means of gain. This isn't just about greed; it's about a twisted view of spirituality itself, where faith becomes a tool to get what we want, rather than yielding to God's will.
In this section, Paul is warning Timothy about false teachers who are driven by greed and distorting the truth about Godliness. These individuals are causing constant arguments and division within the church, falsely believing that faith is simply another way to make a profit. Paul contrasts their corrupt thinking with the true nature of contentment that comes from godliness.
In this section, Paul is warning Timothy about false teachers who are driven by greed and distorting the truth about Godliness. These individuals are causing constant arguments and division within the church, falsely believing that faith is simply another way to make a profit. Paul contrasts their corrupt thinking with the true nature of contentment that comes from godliness.
"and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain." — It's easy to read this and think Paul is just complaining about difficult people. But notice he says they imagine godliness is a means of gain. This isn't just about greed; it's about a twisted vie…
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Last reviewed October 2026