Bible Phrasing: 1 Timothy 6:3–10

Paul's concern in the final chapter of his small letter to Timothy concerns sound doctrine (verses 2–5) and godliness (6–10).

The first part contains a brief protasis (verse 3) and a lengthy apodosis (verse 4). The protasis has two parts, with the (b) section containing two clarifying categories. The structure of the protasis is as follows:

    (a) if anyone teaches a different doctrine

    (b) if anyone does not agree with

            (1) the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ

            (2) the teaching that accords with godliness

 Next, the apodosis continues with two parts, (a) and (b), and each part has two sub-sections. The structure of the apodosis is as follows:

   (a) [then] he is 

            (1) puffed up with conceit

            (2) and understands nothing

    (b) [then] He has an unhealthy craving

            (1) for controversy

            (2) for quarrels about words

Part (b) (2) continues with a list of what quarrels produce. Paul lists envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction, as the result of unhealthy cravings for controversy and quarrels. Paul adds a note about the people for whom constant friction is a problem: (1) they are depraved in mind and (2) they are deprived of the truth. These morally corrupt people imagine that godliness is financially beneficial. 

The δὲ beginning verse 6 leads to a new development. Paul here addresses the idea that godliness is a means of gain (verse 5) by adding the nuance that godliness with contentment is great gain. Verse seven highlight two aspects of this perspective that makes it a "great gain": (1) godliness with contentment gives a person the realization that they brought nothing into the world and (2) that we cannot take anything out of the world. Furthermore, this perspective allows a person to be content with the bare minimum: food and clothing. 

Verse 9 addresses the idea that godliness is a "means of gain." Paul warns those who desire to be rich will fall in several ways: (1) into temptation, (2) into a snare, (3) into many senseless and harmful desires, and (4) into ruin and destruction.

Going back to the theme of desire in verse 9, verse 10 provides a reason for why those who desire to be rich will fall: the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. He explains further: through love of money, (1) people have fallen away from the faith and (2) people have pierced themselves with many pangs. Although Paul does not give a specific example of how people may have "pierced themselves with many pangs," the idea is somewhat akin to the modern notion that loving money can cause one to "shoot themselves in the foot." Paul's warning is a wake up call to Timothy and any other reader, who may be tempted toward loving riches.