1 Timothy 6 3

1 Timothy 6:3 kjv

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

1 Timothy 6:3 nkjv

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,

1 Timothy 6:3 niv

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,

1 Timothy 6:3 esv

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,

1 Timothy 6:3 nlt

Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life.

1 Timothy 6 verses

1 Timothy 6 3 meaning

This verse establishes a foundational criterion for evaluating Christian teaching. It declares that any doctrine deviating from the wholesome words of Jesus Christ, and which does not align with the principles leading to a godly life, is inherently unsound. It functions as a clear warning against false instructors, linking orthodox belief directly to righteous living and establishing the divine origin and practical ethical impact as benchmarks for truth.

1 Timothy 6 3 Context

This verse is positioned as a pivotal point within Paul's instruction to Timothy regarding false teaching prevalent in the Ephesian church. Chapters 1-5 addressed various aspects of church order, leadership qualifications, and conduct. Chapter 6:1-2 dealt with the specific conduct of Christian slaves towards their masters, including non-believers. The phrase "If anyone teaches otherwise" in verse 3 acts as an immediate and sharp transition, redirecting Timothy's attention to those who would contradict these practical ethical teachings or, more broadly, the core apostolic doctrine Paul has laid out. It precedes a detailed description of the character, motivations, and spiritual bankruptcy of such false teachers (vv. 4-5), thus establishing the foundational error of their teachings before exposing their personal deficiencies. The verse is part of Paul's larger polemic against asceticism, gnosticism, and worldly wisdom that threatened the early church.

1 Timothy 6 3 Word analysis

• If anyone: (Greek: εἴ τις - ei tis)
  • A conditional phrase, indicating a hypothetical but expected situation. It refers to "whoever," showing that this applies broadly to any person. It encompasses both explicit teachers and any individual promulgating such doctrines.
• teaches otherwise: (Greek: ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖ - heterodidaskalei)
  • Compound verb unique to the Pastorals (1 Tim 1:3; 6:3), emphasizing "to teach another/different doctrine." The prefix hetero- signifies "different" in kind, quality, or essence, not merely "different" in detail. This means not just teaching something additional, but teaching something that contradicts or deviates from the foundational apostolic deposit.
  • This term highlights a departure from the truth and integrity of the Gospel and foundational Christian belief established by Christ and the apostles.
• and does not agree with: (Greek: μὴ προσέχη - mē prosechēi)
  • More accurately, "does not give heed to," "does not apply himself to," or "does not attend to." It denotes a deliberate disregard or refusal to accept. It implies a conscious act of not adhering or consenting to.
  • The negative construction signifies an active rejection rather than a passive ignorance.
• the sound words: (Greek: ὑγιαίνουσιν λόγοις - hygiainousin logois)
  • "Sound" (hygiainō) metaphorically means healthy, wholesome, pure, or uncorrupted, akin to medical health. It implies spiritual health and robustness for the hearer.
  • These "words" (logos) are not just isolated sayings but encompass the collective, coherent message and teaching of Jesus.
  • Contrasts with the "sick" or "diseased" doctrines promoted by false teachers (cf. 1 Tim 6:4).
• of our Lord Jesus Christ: (Greek: τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ - tou Kyriou hēmōn Iēsou Christou)
  • Identifies the ultimate source and divine authority of the "sound words." It grounds all true doctrine in Christ Himself, underscoring the absolute and non-negotiable nature of His teaching.
  • "Lord" (Kyrios) emphasizes His sovereign authority and deity.
  • "Jesus Christ" identifies His person as both human (Jesus) and Messiah (Christ), central to the Christian faith.
• and with the teaching: (Greek: καὶ τῇ κατ’ - kai tē kat')
  • The definite article "the" indicates a specific body of doctrine.
  • "Teaching" (didaskalias) is a broader term than "words," referring to the comprehensive system or body of doctrine, as communicated by the apostles based on Christ's revelation.
• that accords with godliness: (Greek: εὐσέβειαν διδασκαλίᾳ - eusebeian didaskaliā)
  • "Accords with" (kata) means "according to" or "in harmony with." It emphasizes consistency.
  • "Godliness" (eusebeia) means reverence, piety, true devotion, practical righteousness, or proper worship. It encompasses both inward devotion and outward behavior consistent with the will of God.
  • This phrase establishes the indispensable link between orthodox doctrine (correct belief) and orthopraxy (correct practice/living). True doctrine always promotes a godly life.

1 Timothy 6 3 Bonus section

• The "sound words" (hygiainousin logois) carry a medical metaphor, contrasting healthy spiritual nourishment with the disease and decay that false teachings introduce. Just as a healthy body relies on good food, a healthy soul requires pure doctrine.
• This verse underpins the early church's concern for doctrinal fidelity, recognizing that the integrity of the Christian message and the spiritual well-being of believers were directly at stake.
• The repeated emphasis on "godliness" throughout 1 Timothy (1:5; 2:2, 10; 3:16; 4:7-8; 6:3, 5-6, 11) highlights that Christian belief is never purely theoretical but profoundly practical, intended to transform one's life.

1 Timothy 6 3 Commentary

1 Timothy 6:3 serves as a profound theological touchstone for distinguishing authentic Christian faith from deviation. Paul posits two crucial, inseparable pillars of sound doctrine: its origin in the "sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ" and its ultimate end in "godliness." Any teaching that contradicts Christ's own truth or fails to foster genuine piety in its adherents is inherently false and destructive. This verse therefore guards against doctrines that might be intellectually appealing but are devoid of spiritual vitality, and also against a merely ethical system that lacks grounding in divine truth. It insists on an integrated understanding of faith where belief and behavior are inextricably linked, safeguarding the church from theological compromise and moral corruption alike.