Quick Definition
a source of gain
Strong's Definition
furnishing (procuring), i.e. (by implication) money-getting (acquisition)
Derivation: from a derivative of (a way, i.e. means);
KJV Usage: gain
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
πορισμός, πορισμοῦ, ὁ (πορίζω to cause a thing to get on well, to carry forward, to convey, to acquire; middle to bring about or procure for oneself, to gain; from πόρος (cf. πορεύω));
a. acquisition, gain (Wis_13:19 Wis_14:2; Polybius, Josephus, Plutarch).
b. a source of gain: 1Ti_6:5 f (Plutarch Cat. Maj. 25; (Test xii. Patr., test. Isa. § 4)).
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
πορισμός porismos 2x
a providing, procuring; meton. source of gain, 1Ti_6:5-6
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
**† πορισμός , -ου , ὁ
( < πορίζω , to procure ),
[in LXX : Wis_13:19 ; Wis_14:2 * ;]
1. a providing .
2. a means of gain: 1Ti_6:5-6 ( Polyb ., al. ).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
πορισμός [page 529]
means of gain, occurs in the NT only in 1Ti_6:5 f. (cf. Sap 13:19, 14:2) : cf. for the thought Seneca Ep. 108 qui philosophiam velut aliquod artificium venale didicerunt. See also Artem. p. 254 .20 τὸ ἔργον λυσιτελὲς μὲν εἰς πορισμόν . Πόρος is found in the same sense in BGU II. 530 .14 (i/A.D.) κινδυνεύω ἐκστῆναι οὗ ἔχω π̣ο̣ρου , and ib. IV. 1189 .11 (i/B.C. or i/A.D.) ἐπ [εὶ ] ο̣ὖ̣ν οἱ σημαινόμενοι ἄνδρες πόρ [ο ]ν ἔχουσι [ν ] ο̣ἰ̣ [κία ]ς̣ καὶ κλήρους κτλ .
For πορίζομαι , provide for myself, cf. P Par 63 .102 (B.C. 164) (= P Petrie III. p. 26) πορίζονται τὰ πρὸς τὸ ζῆν , supply themselves with the means of life (Mahaffy), P Oxy IX. 1203 .9 (late i/A.D.) ἐπορίσατο ἐκ τοῦ καταλογείου ὑπόμνημα , provided himself with a memorandum from the bureau. The act. is seen in P Grenf II. 14 ( a ) .11 (B.C. 270 or 233) π̣ο̣ρ̣ι̣σ̣όν μοι εἰς τὴν τροφήν , and P Lond 846 .11 (A.D. 140) (= III. p. 131, Chrest. I. p. 382 ) μισθοῦ πορίζοντος τὸ ζῆν ἀπὸ τῆς γερδια [κ ]ῆς . See also Field Notes , p. 211 f., and Archiv v. p. 30 f.
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
πορισμός πορισμός, οῦ, ὁ, [Etym: πορίζω] "a providing, procuring", Polyb. : — "a means of getting", Plut. : "means of gain", NTest.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
πορισμός, -ου, ὁ
(πορίζω, to procure), [in LXX: Wis.13:19 14:2 * ;]
__1. a providing.
__2. a means of gain: 1Ti.6:5-6 (Polyb., al.).†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Gain (4200) porismos
Gain (4200) (porismos from porÃzo = to get, gain, acquire) is a noun which signifies a means of livelihood a means of earning a living, a providing, a procuring, an acquisition. It describes a means of making money, of gaining a profit or of acquiring wealth (the sense intended by the false teachers Paul describes in 1Ti 6:5). Probably in a wordplay, Paul immediately uses porismos again in 1Ti 6:6 (only other NT use) in a figurative sense, describing one's advantage or profit, not from a material but from a spiritual standpoint.
Thayer writes that porismos is derived from the verb "porizo - to cause a thing to get on well, to carry forward, to convey, to acquire; middle to bring about or procure for oneself, to gain; from poros (cf. poreuo)."
There are 2 literal uses in the apocryphal (none in the non-apocryphal) Septuagint - Wisdom of Solomon 13:19 ("profit in business"), and Wisdom of Solomon 14:2 ("the urge for profits")
Contented - Adjective. Satisfied; quiet; easy in mind; not complaining, opposing or demanding more. The good man is contented with his lot. It is our duty to be contented with the dispensations of providence. Contentedly - adverb. In a contented manner; quietly; without concern. Contentedness - Noun. State of resting in mind; quiet; satisfaction of mind with any condition or event. (From 1828 Noah Webster's Dictionary of the English Language is highly recommended because it is far more "Biblically based" than modern version!)
Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines contentment as...
freedom from anxiety or worry (1Ti 6:6). The idea of contentment comes from a Greek word that means “independence” or “self-sufficiency.” But the apostle Paul used the word in a Christian sense to show that real satisfaction or sufficiency comes from God: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13-note).
NOT SELF SUFFICIENCY
BUT
"SAVIOR SUFFICIENCY"
The Amplified version defines contentment as "a sense of inward sufficiency." "Yes" it is inward and "yes" it is sufficiency, but it is not sufficiency as the world defines sufficiency - self sufficiency! It is in fact total renunciation of self-sufficiency and a firm reliance and trust on Christ's sufficiency, via the Spirit of Christ Who indwells every believer.
White feels that "contentment" is not a strong enough translation of 1Ti 6:6 explaining that
Autarkeia is more profound, and denotes independence of, and indifference to, any lot; as man's finding not only his resources in himself, but being indifferent to everything else besides. This was St. Paul's condition when he had learnt to be autarkes, Phil 4:11" (EGT, 4:142).
