A note from our Pastor:

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

1 Timothy 6:6

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

The phrase “he turns on a word” is often employed to describe the Apostle Paul’s writing. This phrase means that a single word triggered a new thought. With this new thought the direction of the narrative changes. Our study verse this week is an example of that tendency. In this case, the keyword for the Apostle was gain.

In the prior verse, the Apostle charged the false teachers with using the preaching of the gospel to benefit themselves. Of course, their focus was on gaining material wealth or notoriety among the people. The Apostle’s concern was both their desire for material gain and their use of false doctrine to make this gain happen at the expense of the congregation.

The turn on a word happens in our study verse because the Apostle wants to make clear there is true gain that comes with following Christ. This spiritual gain, founded in the truth of Jesus Christ, is then set in contrast to the material gain sought by the false teachers.

The spiritual gain the Apostle mentions in this verse is not contentment itself. Contentment comes as a result. Godliness is the advantage the Apostle has in mind. This is not one particular aspect of the fruit of the Spirit, but rather all of them in some combination. It is faith, hope, love, joy, forgiveness, empathy, etc. at various levels within a disciple. It is also those internal elements showing forth outwardly through service, worship, and general manner of living. The Apostle says that having these spiritual elements is the great gain of pursuing after Jesus Christ.

Now, when the disciple has received this benefit of seeking after God, then there is contentment that follows. There is no promise from God of avoiding difficulties, tribulations, or other challenges in life. In fact, the scriptures are quite clear the child of God will not be able to avoid those things. Thus, contentment in life because of the smoothness of the path is not the gain. Rather, having the strength to overcome the obstacles through the fruit of the Spirit is contentment.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah