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.

1 TIMOTHY 6:10KJV
Know the Bible

1 Timothy 6:10 (KJV)

What does 1 Timothy 6:10 mean?

1 Timothy 6:10 warns that the love of money can lead to many kinds of evil. Paul describes people whose desire for wealth has drawn them away from the faith and brought them deep sorrow. The problem named in the verse is the love of money, rather than money itself.

The word “root” pictures a hidden source from which other things grow. The image of people piercing themselves through portrays the pain as severe and as connected to their own pursuit. Paul’s warning follows his description of the dangers facing those who want to be rich in verse 9.

The Greek behind 1 Timothy 6:10

  • “the love of money” — φιλαργυρία (philargyria): This word means love of money or greed. It names an attachment to wealth, rather than the possession of money.
  • “erred” — ἀποπλανάω (apoplanaō): This word carries the sense of wandering away or being led astray. In this verse, it pictures a departure from “the faith” as a person moving away from a path.
  • “pierced themselves through” — περιπείρω (peripeirō): This word means to pierce or run through. It gives the “many sorrows” the force of a painful wound.

Why 1 Timothy 6:10 matters

  • “All evil” describes the reach of the danger, not a claim that every wrong act comes from money. The surrounding passage names several harmful desires and consequences, including a “snare” and “destruction” in verse 9.
  • The warning concerns more than financial loss. “Erred from the faith” connects the pursuit of money with a departure from the belief and trust associated with the Christian message.
  • The verse speaks about “some,” not every person with money. Paul identifies those who “coveted after” wealth as the people who suffered the consequences he describes.

Where else these words appear

“erred” Greek G635 · used in 2 verses

  • Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

“sorrows” Greek G3601 · used in 2 verses

  • Romans 9:2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

“after” Greek G3713 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
  • Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

“root” Greek G4491 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
  • Mark 11:20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
  • Romans 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.