Paul, our strict and consistent teacher, begins to conclude his letter. What is the one thing you would like to gain from this letter? Let us also begin to summarise our thoughts.

^2b These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 

Here begin the summary and conclusion of the letter.

³ If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 

When we read Paul’s letter this close, we come to think his teaching is peculiar and somewhat different than even what Christians normally think to be the ‘gospel’ in general.

⁴ they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 

Then, we should admit that if we do not deliberately and consciously come back to what the true gospel really teaches, submitting to the Holy Spirit’s lead, we almost always belong to these states.

⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

The word for ‘a means to financial gain’[1] only appears here in this verse and in v. 6 in the whole New Testament. The word does have a connotation of gaining, as in doing so as to make a living, as the NIV explicitly and freely renders it ‘financial’ gain. But in the following verse, the same word is used ‘figuratively’ to mean the benefit that true and legitimate godliness brings.

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.

The NIV translates this time as simple ‘gain’, to indicate the revelation and outworking of God’s heart and desire for all people intend to give us.  

Then the word’s use in v. 5 also deserves a revision: it is not something that directly results in financial advantage, such as getting paid for teaching and preaching or making an unexpected profit when they have been ‘good’. Rather, it must mean something people easily expect but has nothing to do with God’s desire. Similarly, in Luke 16:14–15, we can see that Jesus’ definition of ‘love for money’ is how people fatally misunderstand holiness or belonging to God has a point in proving themselves right eventaully.[2]

Then godliness with ‘contentment’ must be nothing about ‘self-sufficiency’, as it is widely thought, but the state that is satisfied with one thing that it essentially lacks, our Christ and his work that reveal God’s heart, in line with the meaning ‘having all of one’s needs’. [3]

Our Great and Wonderful Lord! Paul’s message almost wearies our minds as he so consistently and strictly sticks to the same point all the way to the end, even at points where we subconsciously think otherwise. But, Lord, we admit that he is right. Let us not try to prove ourselves right, especially when we deal with your word. Let us prove you right! Rather, let us submit to the Holy Spirit’s work of proving you right throughout Scripture. This is our true worship—the true honour you deserve from us and with which we are to treat each other. Lord, forgive us for not honouring you but honouring ourselves instead. Have mercy on us that we have new eyes, ears, brains, and hearts to see, hear, and acknowledge you as the right God who desires for all people to rightly come to know you and belong to you. Praise be to your name. Amen, my Lord. Let your will be done on earth through us. Let this be our true gain.

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[1] πορισμός (porismos) ‘gain’ (G4200) (Noun Accusative Singular Masculine ) means of gain, a providing, procuring; metonymy source of gain, 1Tim. 6:5, 6

πορ-ισμός, ὁ,
providing, procuring, τῶν ἐπιτηδείων [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; earning a living, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; money-getting, [Refs 1st c.AD+]; means of gain, [NT+4th c.BC+]; means of livelihood, [Refs 1st c.AD+]

[2] See how much in line Paul is with our Lord. This is how Luke described him: “The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.” Luke 16:14,15

[3] αὐτάρκεια (autarkeia) ‘self-sufficiency’ (G0841) contentment, having all of one’s needs, sufficiency