GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT. 1st Timothy 6:6-8 Godliness comes from God and is pleasing to Him. It resembles Him, conforms to His will, reflects His character, and involves practical piety. Holiness is similar, involving outward purity, inward sanctification, outward actions that reflect the heart and motives, and an inner principle that shows itself through devotion and good works. True godliness leads to contentment with the blessings God has given us in life.
“Godliness with contentment is great gain” because it helps us avoid temptations driven by covetousness. All material blessings—physical things we can touch, taste, see, hear, and smell—are temporary. They don't last long and are often gone before we realize they didn’t bring lasting satisfaction.
The personal practice of godliness as a key principle of life was one reason Paul wrote this letter to Timothy. He was supposed to be a visible example of the things he taught. The references to godliness in the two letters to Timothy and the letter to Titus show us the importance of godliness and why it is so vital in the lives of God’s people.
The testimony of believers, because of personal godliness, is connected to the message of the Gospel they preach and the sound doctrine they teach to those God saves for Himself. In this epistle of godliness, the life of godliness [2:2] is not necessarily expressed verbally but rather through a quiet and peaceable life—for the sake of the Gospel. The confession of godliness [2:10] is visible through good works—true life from within lived for the glory of God and the benefit of others.
The mystery of godliness [3:16] is where the godliness linked to the Gospel first appeared. Christ embodied godliness in the flesh—full of grace and truth. The benefit of godliness [4:7-8] is evident in the consistent lives of God’s people, especially in our teaching. These qualities are marked by godliness [5:4], starting with piety at home. The words of the Lord Jesus teach the doctrine of godliness [6:3], which is lived out and taught in church life. The contentment that comes from godliness [6:6] is the visible proof of a life lived daily in the conscious awareness that this is God's will for me in this moment.
The presentation of godliness in the New Testament is clear through the following scriptures that speak of godliness. 1 Tim. 2:2 Prayer relating to godliness (reverence for God) 2:10 Practice of godliness (good works) in view of need 3:16 Presentation of godliness (Person of Christ; lesser percentage of believers) 4:7,8 Profitability of godliness (in everything we are and do) 6:3 Principles that produce godliness (words of the Lord; doctrine) 6:5 Perverted godliness (attitudes, works, actions—that tear down) 6:6 Power of godliness (contentment in spite of circumstances) 6:11 Pursuit of godliness (designed for accomplishment) 2 Tim. 3:5 Powerless "godliness" (a counterfeit that has only form) Titus 1:1. Preservation of godliness (when you hear truth, act on it) 2 Pet. 1:3 Producing godliness (divine power given to us) 1:6,7 Plan of godliness (links the patient endurance of a person to the works of a person) 3:11 Practice of godliness (for the salvation and benefit of others)
The pattern of godliness will influence all saints in daily life. Godliness impacts sisters in Christ within their sphere of service for God [1 Tim. 2:10] and their children and grandchildren at home [5:4]. The servant of God, whether he is an employee or an employer, should set an example of godliness in his work [4:6-8; 6:11]. All of the Lord’s people involved in social and political life [2:2], when they "...pray for kings..." and conduct business affairs [6:5,6], are to be people who are “godly in Christ Jesus.”