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 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Timothy 1:3 | "As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines anymore." | Chapter context: Duty of Timothy |
| Titus 1:9 | "He must hold firm to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." | Sound doctrine for elders |
| Galatians 1:6 | "I am astonished that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel." | Warning against false gospel |
| 2 Peter 2:1 | "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves." | Warning against false teachers |
| Matthew 7:15 | "“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." | Warning against false prophets |
| Acts 20:30 | "Even from your own number one will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them." | Warning about future false teachers |
| Ephesians 4:14 | "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming." | Against deceptive teachings |
| Colossians 2:8 | "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." | Warning against worldly wisdom |
| Romans 16:17 | "I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them." | Warning against divisive people |
| 1 John 4:1 | "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." | Test the spirits |
| Jude 1:3 | "Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we all share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." | Contend for the faith |
| 2 Timothy 3:5 | "...having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people." | Denying godliness' power |
| 1 John 2:26 | "I am writing these things to you because of those who are trying to lead you astray." | Leading astray |
| 2 Timothy 4:3 | "For the time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine but, having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions," | People choosing wrong teachers |
| Philippians 3:19 | "Their god is their stomach, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things." | Focus on earthly things |
| 1 Corinthians 5:11 | "But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is sexually immoral or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—with such a one do not even eat." | Association with wrong believers |
| Hebrews 12:15 | "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root springs up and causes trouble, and through it defiles many." | Preventing bitter root |
| 1 Peter 4:11 | "Whoever speaks, as one speaking the oracles of God; whoever serves, as one serving in the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ." | Speaking God's words |
| Acts 2:42 | "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." | Devotion to teaching |
| 1 Corinthians 11:2 | "Now I praise you because in every way you are mindful of me and hold fast to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you." | Holding to teachings |
| 2 Thessalonians 2:15 | "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter." | Standing firm in teachings |
| Romans 1:28 | "Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done." | Giving over to a depraved mind |
1 Timothy 6 verses
1 Timothy 6 3 Meaning
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine according to godliness.
1 Timothy 6 3 Context
First Timothy 6 addresses issues within the church at Ephesus, where Timothy served. The chapter begins with instructions on the conduct of slaves and their masters. It then transitions to a warning against the love of money and those who pursue wealth improperly. This verse, verse 3, immediately follows the discussion on wealth and immediately precedes warnings against greed and the false teachings that can arise from it. The broader context of 1 Timothy is to provide guidance on church order, proper conduct, and the defense of sound doctrine against heretical influences.
1 Timothy 6 3 Word Analysis
- Εάν (Ean): "If" - A conditional particle, setting up a hypothetical situation.
- τις (tis): "anyone" - An indefinite pronoun, referring to any individual.
- ἕτεροδιδασκαλέω (heterodidaskaleō): "teaches a different doctrine"
- ἕτερος (heteros): "other," "different." This signifies a deviation from the established norm.
- διδασκαλέω (didaskaleō): "to teach." Combined, it means to teach a doctrine that is not the norm, not true, or not sound.
- καὶ (kai): "and" - A conjunction connecting clauses.
- μὴ (mē): "not" - A negative particle.
- σύμφημι (symphēmi): "consent," "agree with," "assent to." This verb implies a shared agreement or conformity.
- ὑγιαίνω (hygiainō): "sound," "healthy." It is used here to describe words or teachings that are spiritually healthy and true, in contrast to corrupting influences.
- λόγος (logos): "word," "saying," "doctrine." In this context, it refers to speech, teaching, or a body of instruction.
- καί (kai): "even" - A conjunction used here for emphasis, linking to "the words of our Lord Jesus Christ."
- ὁ (ho): "the" - Definite article.
- κύριος (kyrios): "Lord." In reference to Jesus, it highlights His divine authority.
- ἡμῶν (hēmōn): "our" - Possessive pronoun.
- Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous): "Jesus."
- Χριστός (Christos): "Christ," "Anointed One."
- καί (kai): "and" - Conjunction.
- τῇ (tē): "the" - Definite article (dative feminine singular, agreeing with didaskaliā).
- διδασκαλίᾳ (didaskaliā): "doctrine," "teaching."
- κατὰ (kata): "according to," "in accordance with." It signifies alignment with something.
- εὐσέβεια (eusébeia): "godliness," "piety," "reverence for God." This refers to a life lived in devotion and obedience to God.
Grouped Analysis:
- "teach a different doctrine": This refers to deviating from the apostolic teachings or the pure gospel message, introducing unauthorized or erroneous teachings. It's about a departure from established, Christ-centered truth.
- "does not consent to wholesome words": This describes a refusal to accept or agree with words that are spiritually healthy and beneficial. It's a rejection of sound, life-giving truth.
- "even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ": This highlights the ultimate standard for all teaching. When the verse says "even the words of our Lord," it emphasizes that these words are supremely important and foundational, and a refusal to consent to them is a profound rejection.
- "and to the doctrine according to godliness": This links sound teaching directly to a life that honors God. True doctrine is inseparable from righteous living.
1 Timothy 6 3 Bonus Section
The Greek word heterodidaskaleō literally means to "teach differently." It implies a subtle or overt departure from the established and accepted teaching, suggesting an element of innovation or heresy. The term hygiaínō (wholesome/sound) used for "words" carries a medical metaphor, implying that wrong teaching is like a spiritual sickness that contaminates and corrupts. The connection between sound doctrine and eusébeia (godliness) is crucial. True theology always leads to transformed living. Paul’s consistent emphasis throughout his epistles, especially to Timothy, is on guarding the deposit of faith (1 Tim 6:20) and ensuring that teaching builds up believers in love, truth, and Christ-like character, rather than leading them into error or divisiveness.
1 Timothy 6 3 Commentary
This verse serves as a clear warning against heretical teachings and a call to embrace sound doctrine rooted in the teachings of Christ and a life of godliness. The primary concern is for those who actively promote teachings that deviate from the apostolic faith. Such individuals reject, or fail to align with, "wholesome words" – teaching that is spiritually healthy and life-affirming. This explicitly includes "the words of our Lord Jesus Christ," underscoring that His utterances and the doctrine derived from them are the non-negotiable standard for Christian belief and practice. Furthermore, true doctrine is intrinsically connected to "godliness" (eusébeia), meaning it leads to a life of reverence and devotion to God. Therefore, anyone who introduces novel teachings contrary to Christ’s established message and leading away from godly living is to be opposed. The text emphasizes agreement and adherence to sound, Christ-centered teaching as essential for maintaining spiritual health within the community of faith. It contrasts this with the danger of departing from or refusing the truth, implying a potential for spiritual sickness or even condemnation for those who propagate and adhere to false doctrines.
- Practical Application Example: A church leader promoting teachings that downplay the deity of Christ or justify ungodly lifestyles is teaching a "different doctrine" and is not consenting to "wholesome words" or the "doctrine according to godliness." Believers are called to identify such deviations and hold fast to the established apostolic teaching.