1 Timothy 6:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Timothy 6:5 mean?

1 Timothy 6:5 warns about people who argue in twisted ways, have corrupt minds, and lack the truth, believing that being godly is a way to get material gain. Paul tells Timothy to avoid such people.

Paul is writing to Timothy, a young church leader, about dealing with certain individuals in the church at Ephesus. These people are described as having lost their moral compass and using religion for personal profit, not genuine faith. Paul’s instruction is clear: Timothy should separate himself from those who twist godliness into a tool for greed.

The Greek behind 1 Timothy 6:5

• The word for "corrupt" is διαφθαρμένων (diaphtharmenōn), which means ruined or thoroughly spoiled. This highlights that these people's thinking is deeply damaged, not just mistaken.
• The word for "destitute" is ἀπεστερημένων (apesterēmenōn), meaning deprived or robbed. Paul is saying these people have been stripped of the truth—they are missing something essential, not just lacking information.
• The word for "gain" is πορισμός (porismos), which refers to material profit or financial advantage. Paul is pointing out that these people see godliness as a means to get rich, not as a true spiritual pursuit.

Why 1 Timothy 6:5 matters

• This verse clarifies that true faith is not a tool for personal enrichment, pushing back against any teaching that connects godliness with financial gain.
• It helps the reader see the seriousness of corrupt motives within religious communities and the need for discernment.
• The verse connects to the wider passage, where Paul warns Timothy about false teachers and the dangers of loving money, setting up the following verses about contentment and the dangers of greed.