Of course
This phrase serves as an affirmation, suggesting that what follows is a well-established truth. In the context of Paul's letter to Timothy, it underscores the certainty and self-evidence of the statement. Historically, Paul is writing to Timothy to guide him in leading the church at Ephesus, emphasizing truths that are foundational to Christian living. The phrase implies that the following teaching is not new or revolutionary but a reaffirmation of a principle that should be obvious to believers.

godliness
The Greek word for godliness is "eusebeia," which refers to a reverent and devout life that is pleasing to God. In the historical context of the early church, godliness was a hallmark of true Christian faith, distinguishing believers from the surrounding pagan culture. It involves a life that reflects the character and teachings of Jesus Christ. In a conservative Christian perspective, godliness is not merely external piety but an inward transformation that manifests in righteous living and devotion to God.

with contentment
The Greek term for contentment is "autarkeia," meaning self-sufficiency or satisfaction with what one has. In the scriptural context, contentment is a virtue that contrasts with the greed and materialism prevalent in the world. Paul, who wrote this letter, often spoke of contentment as a learned state (Philippians 4:11-12), emphasizing reliance on God's provision rather than worldly wealth. For the early Christians, contentment was a testimony of trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, a principle that remains vital for believers today.

is great gain
The phrase "great gain" translates from the Greek "megistos porismos," indicating immense profit or advantage. In the historical and cultural context of the time, gain was often associated with material wealth. However, Paul redefines true gain as spiritual rather than material. For the conservative Christian, this underscores the eternal value of spiritual riches over temporal wealth. The "great gain" is the peace, joy, and fulfillment found in a life aligned with God's will, which far surpasses any earthly treasure.

(6) But godliness with contentment is great gain.--Here the Apostle changes the subject of his letter somewhat abruptly. The monstrous thought that these wordly men dare to trade upon his dear Master's religion, dare to make out of his holy doctrine a gain--the hateful word suggests to him another danger, to which many in a congregation drawn from the population of a wealthy commercial city like Ephesus were hourly exposed. This is an admirable instance of the sudden change we often notice in the subject matter in the midst of St. Paul's Epistles, of what has been aptly termed "going off at a word." The reasoning in the writer's mind was, probably--"these false men suppose godliness will be turned into gain." Yes, though they were terribly mistaken, still there is a sense in which their miserable notion is true. True godliness is ever accompanied with perfect contentment. In this sense, godliness does bring along with it great gain to its possessor. "The heart," says Wiesinger, "amid every outward want, is then only truly rich when it not only wants nothing which it has not, but has that which raises it above what it has not."

Verse 6. - Godliness, etc. The apostle lakes up the sentiment which he had just condemned, and shows that in another sense it is most true. 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 (comp. Luke 12:33). The enumeration of his acquired treasures follows, after a parenthetical depreciation of those of the covetous man, in ver. 11. The thought, as so often in St. Paul, is a little intricate, and its flow checked by parenthetical side-thoughts. But it seems to be as follows: "But godliness is, in one sense, a source of great gain, and moreover brings contentment with it - contentment, I say, for since we brought nothing into the world, and can carry nothing out, we have good reason to be content with the necessaries of life, food and raiment. Indeed, those who strive for more, and pant after wealth, bring nothing but trouble upon themselves. For the love of money is the root of all evil, etc. Thou, therefore, O man of God, instead of reaching after worldly riches, procure the true wealth, and become rich in righteousness, godliness, faith," etc. (ver. 11). The phrase, Αστι δὲ πορισμὸς μέγας ἡ εὐσεβεία μετὰ αὐταρκείας, should be construed by making the μετα couple πορισμός with αὐταρκείας, so as to express that "godliness" is both "gain" and "contentment" - not as if αὐταρκεία qualified εὐσεβεία - that would have been expressed by the collocation, ἡ μετὰ αὐταρκείας εὐσεβεία. Contentment (αὐταρκεία). The word occurs elsewhere in the New Testament only in 2 Corinthians 9:8, where it is rendered, both in the R.V. and the A.V., "sufficiency." The adjective αὐτάρκης, found in Philippians 4:11 (and common in classical Greek), is rendered "content." It means "sufficient in or of itself" - needing no external aid - and is applied to persons, countries, cities, moral qualities, etc. The substantive αὐταρκεία is the condition of the person, or thing, which is αὐτάρκης.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Of course,
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

godliness
εὐσέβεια (eusebeia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2150: Piety (towards God), godliness, devotion, godliness. From eusebes; piety; specially, the gospel scheme.

with
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

contentment
αὐταρκείας (autarkeias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 841: Self-sufficiency, independence, contentment. From autarkes; self-satisfaction, i.e. contentedness, or a competence.

is
Ἔστιν (Estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

great
μέγας (megas)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

gain.
πορισμὸς (porismos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4200: A source of gain, livelihood. From a derivative of poros; furnishing, i.e. money-getting.


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NT Letters: 1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm)