The Love of Money: Root of All Evils or All Kinds of Evil?

The love of money is a topic that has been discussed and debated for centuries. In the Bible, specifically in 1 Timothy 6:10, it is written that "the love of money is the root of all evils." However, there has been some controversy over the translation of this verse. While older versions of the Bible translate it as "the love of money is the root of all evils," modern versions tend to paraphrase it as "the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." So, which translation is correct? Let's dive deeper into the meaning of this verse and explore different interpretations.

It is interesting to note that all older versions of the Bible, such as the Wycliffe Bible, Luther Bibel, Geneva Bible, King James Version, and many others, translate 1 Timothy 6:10 as "the love of money is the root of all evils." This translation is a literal rendering of the original Greek phrase "pantōn tōn kakōn." However, most modern versions, including the NCV, NIV, NASB, ESV, and others, use a paraphrase that says "the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." The only modern exception is the NET Bible, which translates it as "the love of money is the root of all evils."

So, why did the translation change over time? It seems that modern translators feel freer to depart from a literal translation in favor of explanatory paraphrases. They believe that the phrase "all evils" is not entirely true to life, as some evils are unrelated to the love of money. By paraphrasing the verse to say "all kinds of evil," they aim to provide a more accurate interpretation. However, it is essential to recognize that the meaning of the text has not changed over time. The Greek words used by Paul in 1 Timothy 6:10 carry the same intention today as they did during the time of the older translations.

But why didn't the older translators choose to paraphrase the verse if they also recognized the potential difficulty in understanding how the love of money can be the root of all evils? It seems that their approach was to remain faithful to the original text and leave room for more insightful interpretations. They understood that their inability to see a plausible meaning for Paul's words didn't mean there wasn't one. By preserving the literal translation, they allowed readers to think deeply and contextually about how the love of money could be the root of all evils.

This preservation of formal equivalence is crucial in translation, as it allows readers to engage with the text and discover possible interpretations for themselves. The ambiguity in the literal translation of "the love of money is the root of all evils" doesn't hinder clarity but rather invites readers to explore the depth of Paul's meaning. It is essential to approach texts that claim divine inspiration and carry absolute authority with humility and openness to the possibility of deeper insights.

Now, let's delve into the question of how the love of money can be the root of all evils. In order to understand this, let's examine the context of 1 Timothy 6:10. The preceding verses speak about the value of godliness with contentment and the temporary nature of worldly possessions. Paul emphasizes that we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of it. True contentment comes from having food and clothing, not from an insatiable desire for wealth.

Paul then warns that those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, traps, and harmful desires that lead to ruin and destruction. It is through the love of money that people are lured away from their faith and experience many hardships. Here, we see a connection between the love of money and the abandonment of faith.

One way to understand the love of money as the root of all evils is to recognize that money, in itself, has no inherent value. It is merely a cultural symbol that can be exchanged for the things we desire. However, it cannot be traded for God or godliness. Therefore, the love of money represents a root longing for the things money can buy, but without God. This desire for anything minus God leads to all evils that men commit. Sin, at its core, is preferring anything above God. All evils stem from this desire, this love for the currency of satisfaction without God.

In Matthew 6:24, Jesus reinforces this idea when he says, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." Jesus uses the term "love" to describe the choice between loving God or money. He emphasizes that if you love money, you cannot serve God. And if you cannot serve God, then everything you do is evil because it is not done out of loving service to God.

Therefore, we can understand that the love of money, or the love for anything minus God, leads to the abandonment of faith and the pursuit of worldly desires. Without faith, all actions are devoid of true virtue and do not honor God. This is why Paul claims that the love of money is the root of all evils, as it represents the root cause of all sinning – falling short of the glory of God.

To summarize, the controversy over the translation of 1 Timothy 6:10 arises from different approaches to interpreting the phrase "the love of money is the root of all evils." Older translations maintained a literal rendering, allowing readers to explore the depth of Paul's meaning. Modern translations, on the other hand, tend to paraphrase the verse to provide what they believe to be a more accurate interpretation.

However, the essence of the verse remains the same – the love of money, or the love for anything minus God, leads to the abandonment of faith and the pursuit of worldly desires. This root desire for satisfaction without God is the root of all evils, as it is the root cause of all sinning. It is crucial to approach these verses with humility and openness, allowing room for personal interpretation and deeper insights.

In conclusion, the love of money is indeed the root of all evils. The contextual understanding of this verse, along with other biblical references, helps us grasp the significance of the love of money and its detrimental effects on faith and virtue. By recognizing the dangers of placing anything above God and cultivating a heart that seeks God above all else, we can guard against the love of money and its destructive consequences.