The word has 125 mentions(kjv) in the bible, with 101 mentions in the Old Testament, 18 and 5 mentions in the Gospels and Acts respectively; and 1 mention in the Epistles.
We know by study that the singular mention in the Epistles is because the spirit of the Epistles is primarily the explanation of the messianic works of Christ and the implication of faith in same unto salvation. Money is not an explanation in or of Christ’s works. Hence its mention therein is not doctrinal but related counsels and warning against ungodly attitudes with same.
1 Timothy 6:1-10 KJV
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
[2] And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
[3] If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
[4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
[5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
[6] But godliness with contentment is great gain.
[7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
[8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
[9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
[10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
To start with, the narrative PRIMARILY concerns leaders, specifically elders who labour in word and doctrine.
It is also noteworthy that the contextual emphatic content here is doctrine. Hence the term “godliness” implies doctrine, and the word “gain”; is from the Greek ‘porismos’ meaning; a way or means of acquiring wealth. Hence he is warning against those supposing and therefore reducing the doctrine to means of wealth acquisition PRIMARILY.
This however, is not the same as those who labour in the doctrine and are given wages accordingly; which he(Paul) had instructed Timothy about early on.
1 Timothy 5:17-18 KJV
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
[18] For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
Hence, Paul’s second mention of the term “gain” in relation to doctrine, in our study texts; in which he explicitly related gain and godliness. Please see it again by heart, and carefully so.
1 Timothy 6:5-10 KJV
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
[6] But godliness with contentment is great gain.
[7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
[8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
[9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
[10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Note that the term “godliness” in context implies doctrine. The word “contentment” from the Greek ‘autarkeia’ means self satisfaction, contentedness, and CONTEXTUALLY implies satifaction with the income of the arrangement of the earlier instruction(1Tim.5:17-18). Thus the statement ” But godliness with contentment is great gain.”(vs.6) is the contrast of the statement “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”(vs.5).
The word disputing is instructive. It therefore implies that these men were not contented with the wages they got from their labour in doctrine, apparently because it could not supply their lusts. They therefore disputed against the arrangement. Hence Paul’s position that they suppose that doctrine is a means of getting wealthy. This is premised on the earlier mentioned arrangement to pay elders that rule well in word and doctrine.
1 Timothy 5:17-18 KJV
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
[18] For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
The word “honour” here is from the Greek ‘timē’ meaning payment, or wages. It is therefore clear that the men in question(vs.5) were not contented with their lot but disputed for a whole lot more; and in so doing posited that gain is godliness. See it again.
1 Timothy 6:3-10 KJV
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
[4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
[5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
[6] But godliness with contentment is great gain.
[7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
[8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
[9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
[10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
The phrase “they that will be rich” must not be taken out of its contextual narrative. The word rich is a relative word. We all want to be rich. That’s why we labour or work. No one works because he or she loves work. It is all for the money!
The phrase “they that will be rich” is contextual. It describes those(in the narrative) that would be rich at the expence of truth, and their “fall into temptations and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”
Also the phrase “the love of money” must be understood in its context, as the description of the diagnosis of the drive of the men in context. The phrase “all evil” in the statement: “For the love of money is the root of all evil:” contextually implies doctrinal evils. See it again by heart.
1 Timothy 6:10 KJV
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Thus the phrase “all evil” implies doctrinal heresies inspired by lusts and or coveteousness.
The statement “..they have erred from the faith,” is very instructive; and decribes the phrase “all evil”.
Equally instructive and worthy of note is that the term “faith” in the text implies doctrine. Hence the whole context is both a warning and a counsel to elders who labour in word and doctrine, against coveteousness, and to contentment respectively, in relation to doctrine. It is not a warning against money, prosperity or being rich. Hence, he gave a charge to the wealthy brethren; with regards to their dispositions to same.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 KJV
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
[18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
[19] Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
The word “charge” is from the Greek ‘paraggellō’ meaning to give commandment, transmit a message. Hence there is an apostolic message or commandment to the rich or wealthy saints. And this message or commandment is not that they hate their wealth or throw it away because it is of this world! The charge concerns their dispositions or attitude to and or with wealth.
The charge is explicit;
[17] “…that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
[18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate
None of the charge is against riches or implies that we hate wealth or fight against it. The charge is against MATERIALISM and not against prosperity.
And very importantly, the contextual narrative is strong to the end that the primary form of income is as wages; thus implying labour or industry. Hence the bible is loud in instructions and examples on labour and or industry as monies’ primarily means of acquisition.
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