1 Timothy 6:4 kjv
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
1 Timothy 6:4 nkjv
he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
1 Timothy 6:4 niv
they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions
1 Timothy 6:4 esv
he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,
1 Timothy 6:4 nlt
Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions.
1 Timothy 6 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Timothy 1:3 | Charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine | Paul's instruction to Timothy |
| Titus 2:1 | But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine | Paul's instruction to Titus |
| Romans 6:17 | But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, yet you have become obedient from the heart to that form of teaching entrusted to you. | The believers' obedience to doctrine |
| 2 Timothy 4:3 | For the time is coming when people will not endure the sound teaching | Warning about false teachers |
| Hebrews 13:9 | Do not be led away by various and strange doctrines. For it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which has not benefited those who were occupied with them. | Warning against strange doctrines |
| Acts 20:32 | And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance that is sanctified by faith. | God's word as building material |
| 1 Corinthians 14:26 | What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. | Purpose of public assembly |
| Ephesians 4:14 | so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by that craftiness of deceitful scheming. | The danger of shifting doctrines |
| Colossians 1:10 | so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. | Fruitfulness as a sign of godly living |
| 1 Peter 1:13 | Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. | Mindset for receiving divine revelation |
| Philippians 1:9 | and it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, | Knowledge and discernment as essential |
| 1 Timothy 1:5 | The aim of our charge is the type of love that springs from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. | Foundation of true doctrine |
| 1 John 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. | Testing the spirits |
| Galatians 1:8 | But even if we or an angel from heaven declare to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. | Proclaiming a false gospel |
| Proverbs 15:2 | The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. | Wise and foolish speech |
| Proverbs 17:28 | Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is regarded as a man of understanding. | Silence of a fool |
| Proverbs 18:7 | A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. | Fool's speech leading to ruin |
| Romans 16:17 | I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. | Warning against divisive people |
| 2 Peter 2:1–3 | But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, and by reason of them the way of truth will be reviled. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation of old is not idle, nor their destruction dormant. | The coming of false teachers |
| 1 John 2:26 | I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. | Those trying to lead astray |
1 Timothy 6 verses
1 Timothy 6 4 Meaning
This verse defines what constitutes sound teaching and its accompanying outcomes. Sound teaching is characterized by beneficial qualities, leading to productive results in believers and glorifying God. It is directly contrasted with frivolous, unproductive, and harmful instruction.
1 Timothy 6 4 Context
This verse is situated within the broader context of Paul's letter to Timothy, specifically the latter half of chapter 6. This section addresses warnings against false teachers and the dangers of the love of money. Paul instructs Timothy on how to handle situations where these negative influences are present, emphasizing the importance of godly living and sound doctrine. The immediate context leading into verse 4 discusses the futile arguments and divisive speech of those who are proud and ignorant of God's ways, setting the stage for this verse's positive affirmation of true teaching.
1 Timothy 6 4 Word analysis
- ἀφiquée (aphykē) - Greek for "afflicted" or "troubled." It can describe a state of being harassed or agitated.
- φυσιοῦται (physioūtai) - Greek for "puffs up" or "is puffed up." This indicates a state of arrogance, conceit, or pride stemming from inflated self-importance.
- νοσῶν (nosōn) - Greek for "sick" or "suffering from disease." It implies an unhealthy condition or a deviation from a sound state.
- περὶ (peri) - Greek preposition meaning "about" or "concerning."
- ζητήματα (zētēmata) - Greek for "disputes" or "questions." These are matters that are debated or investigated, often to the point of contention.
- φιλονεικίαν (phileineikian) - Greek for "love of strife" or "contentiousness." It describes a disposition eager to argue and contend over trivial matters.
- βλασφημίαν (blasphemian) - Greek for "insult," "abuse," or "blasphemy." This refers to slanderous or abusive speech directed towards God or sacred things.
Group Analysis:
- "He is puffed up" (φυσιοῦται) clearly indicates an arrogant disposition, characteristic of those who rely on their own understanding rather than divine truth.
- "sick about disputes" (νοσῶν περὶ ζητήματα) highlights an unhealthy fixation on arguments, demonstrating a lack of spiritual maturity and an inclination towards unproductive conflict.
- "love of strife" (φιλονεικίαν) and "abusive speech" (βλασφημίαν) are connected, showing that a desire for contention often devolves into slander and disrespectful language. These are qualities diametrically opposed to sound doctrine, which promotes humility and reverence.
1 Timothy 6 4 Bonus section
The concept of "sound doctrine" (ὑγιαινόντων λόγων - hygiainontōn logōn) implies teaching that promotes spiritual health and vitality. It is contrasted with doctrines that cause sickness or division. This "sickness" can manifest as intellectual arrogance, or as spiritual decay leading to immoral behavior and alienation from God, as seen in various New Testament warnings against heresy and moral corruption. The emphasis on beneficial results underscores that true teaching is practical and transformative, leading to lives that honor God.
1 Timothy 6 4 Commentary
Sound teaching cultivates love that stems from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith, building up believers rather than causing division or arrogance. Such teaching fosters introspection and gratitude, focusing on God's grace and truth. In contrast, unhealthy disputations, born from pride, lead to contentiousness, envy, slander, and harmful speculation. They do not edify but rather weaken faith and lead to a loss of spiritual connection, reflecting a distorted understanding of God's word.