Godliness and Gain: Koine Urgency versus Classical Eloquence

Διαπαρατριβαὶ διεφθαρμένων ἀνθρώπων τὸν νοῦν καὶ ἀπεστερημένων τῆς ἀληθείας, νομιζόντων πορισμὸν εἶναι τὴν εὐσέβειαν· ἀφίστασο ἀπὸ τῶν τοιούτων. (1 Timothy 6:5)

Constant disputes of corrupted men in mind and deprived of the truth, supposing godliness to be a means of gain; withdraw yourself from such as these.

Koine Greek Grammar and Syntax Breakdown

The verse begins with διαπαρατριβαί (“constant disputes”), a rare compound noun intensifying the sense of useless wrangling. It is qualified by a genitive participial phrase, διεφθαρμένων ἀνθρώπων (“of corrupted men”), further described as ἀπεστερημένων τῆς ἀληθείας (“deprived of the truth”), where the perfect passive participle emphasizes a completed and ongoing state of moral blindness.

The participial phrase νομιζόντων πορισμὸν εἶναι τὴν εὐσέβειαν (“supposing godliness to be a means of gain”) illustrates Koine’s straightforward use of participles to capture reasoning or assumption. The infinitive εἶναι ties together the predicate πορισμόν (“gain, means of profit”) with τὴν εὐσέβειαν (“godliness”), revealing their utilitarian view of religion.

The imperative ἀφίστασο (present middle imperative, 2nd singular) closes the verse with urgent pastoral command: “Withdraw yourself continually.” The middle voice stresses personal involvement and responsibility in separating from such corrupt influences.

Hypothetical Classical Greek Reconstruction

A Classical writer might express this in a more polished, philosophical manner, emphasizing rational argument rather than direct imperative:

στάσεις λογισμῶν ἀνδρῶν διεφθαρμένων καὶ ἀληθείας ἐστερημένων, οἳ ἡγοῦνται τὴν εὐσέβειαν εἶναι πλοῦτον· φεῦγε τοὺς τοιούτους.

• διαπαρατριβαί → στάσεις λογισμῶν: A Classical author prefers a more familiar term like στάσις (“strife, faction”) combined with λογισμοί (“arguments”), instead of the rare Koine compound.
• νομιζόντων → ἡγοῦνται: Classical Greek favors ἡγέομαι for rational or philosophical judgment, rather than Koine’s simpler νομίζω.
• πορισμός → πλοῦτος: The abstract Koine term is replaced by the more concrete Classical word for “wealth.”
• ἀφίστασο → φεῦγε: Rather than the middle imperative stressing personal withdrawal, Classical style often opts for the more vivid φεῦγε (“flee”).

Theological & Semantic Implications

The Koine construction highlights corruption as a spiritual condition: men deprived of truth, exploiting religion as profit. The participial density piles up moral decay, leading to a sharp pastoral imperative. It is vivid, immediate, and ecclesial in tone.

The Classical rendering, while elegant, frames the issue as intellectual strife among corrupt thinkers. Its use of πλοῦτος shifts the emphasis from utilitarian religion to material wealth more generally, and φεῦγε (“flee”) suggests dramatic avoidance rather than steady withdrawal. Thus, Classical style intellectualizes and generalizes, while Koine presses for moral urgency and practical obedience.

Summary Comparison Table