Lexical Summary porismos: Gain, Profit Original Word: πορισμός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gain. From a derivative of poros (a way, i.e. Means); furnishing (procuring), i.e. (by implication) money-getting (acquisition) -- gain. HELPS Word-studies 4200 porismós (from poros, "a way, means") – properly, a specific way (route) that brings gain or profit. 4200 (porismós) is only used in 1 Tim 6:5,6. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom porizó (to procure) Definition a providing, a means of gain NASB Translation means of gain (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4200: πορισμόςπορισμός, πορισμοῦ, ὁ (πορίζω to cause a thing to get on well, to carry forward, to convey, to acquire; middle to bring about or procure for oneself, to gain; from πόρος (cf. πορεύω)); a. acquisition, gain (Wis. 13:19 Wis. 14:2; Polybius, Josephus, Plutarch). b. a source of gain: 1 Timothy 6:5f (Plutarch Cat. Maj. 25; (Test xii. Patr., test. Isa. § 4)). Strong’s Greek 4200 highlights the idea of “acquiring” or “gain,” especially as the anticipated profit one might hope to obtain from religion. While the term occurs only twice in the New Testament, both uses are strategic, framing Paul’s forceful warning against converting godliness into a commercial enterprise. Scriptural Occurrences • 1 Timothy 6:5 – False teachers are described as men “who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.” Context within the Pastoral Epistles The Pastoral Letters were written to protect fledgling congregations from doctrinal corruption and moral compromise. In Ephesus, where Timothy ministered, itinerant teachers capitalized on the public’s appetite for novel philosophies (Acts 19:9, 2 Timothy 4:3). Paul’s use of the term in consecutive verses exposes a heart‐motive issue: when ministry is leveraged for material advantage, the gospel’s integrity is threatened. Theological Implications: Godliness and Contentment Paul contrasts two economies: 1. A utilitarian “godliness” that measures success by tangible returns. The apostle therefore redefines profit—not as cash flow, but as spiritual sufficiency. This pivot preserves the doctrine of grace from being recast as a commodity. Historical Background: Patronage and Profit in the Greco-Roman World In Paul’s day, philosophers and rhetoricians often charged fees for instruction. Religious guilds likewise expected offerings that enriched their leaders. Corinthian sophists, Cynic street preachers, and mystery cult priests all exemplified this transactional spirituality. Against that backdrop, Paul’s tentmaking (Acts 18:3) and refusal to burden churches financially (1 Thessalonians 2:9) modeled an alternative economy of self-sacrifice. Application for Ministry 1. Eldership qualifications forbid greed (Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 5:2). When congregations keep these principles, they silence accusations that the church is merely another marketplace vendor. Related Concepts in Scripture • Covetousness (Colossians 3:5) – equated with idolatry. These passages reinforce the singular message: spiritual realities cannot be bought or sold. Witness of the Early Church The Didache instructs that a true prophet can stay “one day, or two,” but if he stays three days expecting support he is a false prophet (Didache 11). Early Fathers such as Polycarp and Irenaeus echoed Paul, warning against those “who merchandise the word of truth.” Summary Strong’s 4200 draws a sharp line between authentic ministry and religious profiteering. Paul’s paired statements in 1 Timothy 6 expose the sinful tendency to monetize piety and then elevate Christ-centered contentment as the believer’s true wealth. The church, therefore, must maintain financial integrity and pursue godliness for its own sake, trusting that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” Englishman's Concordance 1 Timothy 6:5 N-AMSGRK: ἀληθείας νομιζόντων πορισμὸν εἶναι τὴν NAS: that godliness is a means of gain. KJV: supposing that gain is INT: truth holding gain to be 1 Timothy 6:6 N-NMS Strong's Greek 4200 |
    |