Ezekiel, Jonah, and Pastoral Epistles by Patrick Fairbairn - 1 Timothy 6:6 - 6:6

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Ezekiel, Jonah, and Pastoral Epistles by Patrick Fairbairn - 1 Timothy 6:6 - 6:6


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Ver. 6. But godliness with contentment is great gain: the true, in contrast to the fancied or false. It is the mark of a base disposition to cultivate godliness for the sake merely of the temporal gain it may yield; but there is, at the same time, a real and most important temporal gain connected with it (for it is plainly of gain in this sense alone that the apostle here speaks), only it must be godliness of the right stamp: hence godliness with contentment; that is, godliness cultivated for its own sake, not as a stepping-stone to wealth or worldly consideration, and so bringing its own dowry of good along with it, making the soul “satisfied from itself.” A thought not materially different is expressed by the apostle in Gal_6:4 : “Let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone.” For to prove one’s own work is but a fuller mode of expressing what is meant by true godliness; and the rejoicing that follows—rejoicing in oneself alone—is nothing else than the sweet content and peace of soul which comes from the possession of a conscience purged from dead works, and enabled to relish the communion and service of God.