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1 Timothy 6 · a question people ask

"who suppose that godliness is a means of gain" (6:5). Who were they?

In the text

The letter doesn't name them. It says, "If anyone teaches a different doctrine and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is conceited, knowing nothing" (6:3-4), and speaks of "people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain" (6:5). It doesn't say who they were or what they taught, and these notes don't either. They apply the words to no person, people or group, then or now.

The verses

“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions, constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such.”
1 Timothy 6:3-5 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 1 Timothy 6

1 Timothy 6: Great gain

In 1 Timothy 6, a means of gain and great gain are one Greek noun, which the New Testament has only in these two verses: some "suppose that godliness is a means of gain" (6:5), but "godliness with contentment is great gain" (6:6). And the letter whose greeting gives "Grace, mercy, and peace" (1:2) ends, "Grace be with you. Amen." (6:21).

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions