πορισμός

From the study of 1 Timothy 6:5

Range of meaning

A means of gain, source of income, way of making a living or getting provision. It comes from porizō, "to provide, procure." It is about how money is obtained, not about the money itself.

Against the English

BSB, WEB, NASB and ESV ("a means of gain") are accurate. KJV and YLT's bare "gain" blurs the idea of a money-making method. NIV's "financial gain" makes the money sense explicit, which suits vv. 6–10.

Used elsewhere in the period

Wisdom of Solomon 13:19 (an idol-maker praying to his idol "for money-making and work") and 14:2 ("desire for gain devised" ships). Plutarch (Cato the Elder 25) reports Cato saying there were two sources of gain (porismoi), farming and thrift. Only here and v. 6 in the NT.

From the study of 1 Timothy 6:6

Range of meaning

From πορίζω, "to provide, procure, get." It means (1) a way of getting something, a means of gain or source of income; (2) by extension, the gain or profit itself; (3) a livelihood or business. It belongs to the language of commerce and earning a living.

Against the English

"Gain" (KJV, BSB, ESV, NIV) is accurate but faint. The Greek is closer to "a money-maker" or "a source of profit". The NASB's "a means of great gain" keeps the sense of a way of acquiring something.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the New Testament it appears only here and in v.5. In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint, or LXX), Wisdom of Solomon 13:19 uses it for business and earning, and 14:2 says "desire for gains" (ὄρεξις πορισμῶν) designed the merchant ship. Hellenistic writers such as Polybius and Plutarch use it for ways of making money.