| Geneva Study Bible Perverse {c} disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (c) Such as we see in those shameless schools of popery, which are nothing else but vain babbling and foolish talking. People's New Testament 6:5 Supposing that gain is godliness. Men who have come into the church for gain and think that godliness is a source of gain. Wesley's Notes 6:5 Supposing that gain is godliness - Thinking the best religion is the getting of money: a far more common case than is usually supposed. King James Translators' Notes Perverse...: or, Gallings one of another Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 5. Perverse disputings-useless disputings. The oldest manuscripts read, "lasting contests" [Wiesinger]; "incessant collisions" [Alford]. "Strifes of words" had already been mentioned so that he would not be likely to repeat the same idea (as in the English Version reading) again. corrupt minds-Greek, "of men corrupted (depraved) in mind." The inmost source of the evil is in the perverted mind (1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 3:8; Tit 1:15). destitute of the truth-(Tit 1:14). They had had the truth, but through want of moral integrity and of love of the truth, they were misled by a pretended deeper gnosis (knowledge) and higher ascetical holiness, of which they made a trade [Wiesinger]. supposing, &c.-The Greek requires, "supposing (regarding the matter in this point of view) that piety (so translated for 'godliness') is a means of gain (that is, a way of advancing one's worldly interests: a different Greek form, poriswa, expresses the thing gained, gain)"; not "that gain is godliness," as English Version. from such withdraw thyself-omitted in the oldest manuscripts. The connection with 1Ti 6:6 favors the omission of these words, which interrupt the connection. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 6:1-5 Christians were not to suppose that religious knowledge, or Christian privileges, gave them any right to despise heathen masters, or to disobey lawful commands, or to expose their faults to others. And such as enjoyed the privilege of living with believing masters, were not to withhold due respect and reverence, because they were equal in respect to religious privileges, but were to serve with double diligence and cheerfulness, because of their faith in Christ, and as partakers of his free salvation. We are not to consent to any words as wholesome, except the words of our Lord Jesus Christ; to these we must give unfeigned consent. Commonly those are most proud who know least; for they do not know themselves. Hence come envy, strife, railings, evil-surmisings, disputes that are all subtlety, and of no solidity, between men of corrupt and carnal minds, ignorant of the truth and its sanctifying power, and seeking their worldly advantage. | 
