‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:4‬ ‭

[Hopefully]

What does 1 Timothy 6:4 mean?

“He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:4‬ ‭

First, the false teacher suffers from arrogance. Pride is at the root of those who continue in false teaching. Rather than following all of God's Word to the proper conclusion, such people place themselves above the Scriptures. 

Second, the false teacher is marked by being unteachable. They are so convinced of their own position they cannot understand the truth. This is a natural companion to the next flaw, since those who resist correction often go to great lengths to defend their errors. 

Third, false teachers often drift towards bickering, arguments, and debates over non-essential issues. The false teacher enjoys arguing about the words of Scripture, for the sake of the words themselves, not for the sake of the truth. This is a similar issue to what Paul describes in Colossians 2:8. It also echoes the sentiment of Titus 3:9–11. Interestingly, this trend towards squabbling is said to produce the rest of the flaws Paul will mention. 
 

Paul's point here is not that a person is only a false teacher when they display some (or all) of these traits. Rather, these are traits common to those who promote messages contrary to the gospel. 

read more at 

https://www.bibleref.com/1-Timothy/6/1-Timothy-6-4.html

 

Edited March 11, 2022 by Hopefully

[Hopefully]

We have to beware and to beware we must be able to spot some signs.

[Not me]

6 minutes ago, Hopefully said:

What does 1 Timothy 6:4 mean?

“He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:4‬ ‭

First, the false teacher suffers from arrogance. Pride is at the root of those who continue in false teaching. Rather than following all of God's Word to the proper conclusion, such people place themselves above the Scriptures. 

Second, the false teacher is marked by being unteachable. They are so convinced of their own position they cannot understand the truth. This is a natural companion to the next flaw, since those who resist correction often go to great lengths to defend their errors. 

Third, false teachers often drift towards bickering, arguments, and debates over non-essential issues. The false teacher enjoys arguing about the words of Scripture, for the sake of the words themselves, not for the sake of the truth. This is a similar issue to what Paul describes in Colossians 2:8. It also echoes the sentiment of Titus 3:9–11. Interestingly, this trend towards squabbling is said to produce the rest of the flaws Paul will mention. 
 

Paul's point here is not that a person is only a false teacher when they display some (or all) of these traits. Rather, these are traits common to those who promote messages contrary to the gospel. 

read more at 

https://www.bibleref.com/1-Timothy/6/1-Timothy-6-4.html

 

Greeting and blessings, this is why one’s personal relationship with Christ inwardly, the one that can be seen and tasted by another, is the all of one’s spiritual life…. For there are those that want to be teachers yet know only the word and not the substance…..

Let the life of Christ in all of our heart’s be the arbiter of the word and substance….

 

In the Beloved, Not me 

[Starise]

3 hours ago, Hopefully said:

What does 1 Timothy 6:4 mean?

“He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:4‬ ‭

First, the false teacher suffers from arrogance. Pride is at the root of those who continue in false teaching. Rather than following all of God's Word to the proper conclusion, such people place themselves above the Scriptures. 

Second, the false teacher is marked by being unteachable. They are so convinced of their own position they cannot understand the truth. This is a natural companion to the next flaw, since those who resist correction often go to great lengths to defend their errors. 

Third, false teachers often drift towards bickering, arguments, and debates over non-essential issues. The false teacher enjoys arguing about the words of Scripture, for the sake of the words themselves, not for the sake of the truth. This is a similar issue to what Paul describes in Colossians 2:8. It also echoes the sentiment of Titus 3:9–11. Interestingly, this trend towards squabbling is said to produce the rest of the flaws Paul will mention. 
 

Paul's point here is not that a person is only a false teacher when they display some (or all) of these traits. Rather, these are traits common to those who promote messages contrary to the gospel. 

read more at 

https://www.bibleref.com/1-Timothy/6/1-Timothy-6-4.html

 

Thank you for this.

I agree 100% with everything you've said. 

A few thoughts here. Feel free to comment, agree, disagree.

Arrogance is not exclusive to false teachers, yet is is a common trait.

The second point ties in with the first. Anyone who is unteachable is probably arrogant.

Brothers and sisters in Christ sometimes dispute over the finer points of scripture, however unfortunate. There is probably some discrepancy on what we all consider 'essentials'. There seems to be a sliding scale there sometimes.

When I look back on the known false teachers I am aware of, they may come off as gracious and kind to a point. I seen one of them who was called out in an interview and it was like his countenance changed completely. So yes, they are arrogant to deny true teaching. They can also cover it up with the best of them and put on a front that looks very humble. There's the public persona which most of us see. Then there is the private persona which is much different.

Since it seems common on message boards to sometimes call others out as false teachers simply because they might differ on a minor issue, I would need a deeper meaning for "unteachable". I say this because it can be both a false accusation and/or a reality.

The false teachers I am aware of have everything arranged so there is no room for disagreement. They use manipulation to garner a crowd following when in groups. There are men at the doors on the ready to escort out "trouble makers". People who see someone as a respected leader, teacher, or pastor hesitate to cause a public spectacle, so we all mostly disagree with them in private on message boards. Not at their events. Not that it doesn't or hasn't happened.

These are the public false teachers I am referring to, not the secret ones who troll and look for opportunities to shoot their ammo. As a general rule it seems to me that many message boards are prone to some sort of a peanut gallery. 

From the text in 1 Tim 6:4, It's a person who likes to argue. Pick apart words, definitions and terms for the sake of argument. Lets not confuse this with genuinely curious persons. The difference is that we should not argue over it. An argumentative thread is often a disabled thread and this might be the whole goal of a troll.

"whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,”

Why would false teachings cause envy? The strife I understand I think. I mean, if someone is teaching against what the bible tells us I'm going to get a little riled if people actually believe it, especially if it's in my church. It's the way we deal with it that separates us from false teachers I guess?

Railings? Dissension and slander. Character assassination. Name calling and the like. Belittling others. This is the flesh. This goes way back to how little kids behave. Adults try to do it in more creative ways, but it's the very same thing.

Evil surmisings? Translated elsewhere as evil suspicions. Stirred up Christians over false teachings? I would be suspicious of evil if the person was teaching something false.

Shouldn't false teaching stir up real believers? In short false teaching can cause severe divisions. The teaching itself is the danger and the associated fleshly responses further confirm it.

 

 

 

[branchesofHim]

28 minutes ago, Starise said:

Shouldn't false teaching stir up real believers? In short false teaching can cause severe divisions. The teaching itself is the danger and the associated fleshly responses further confirm it.

Excellent point. And the context of the scripture is related to "servants" and "masters". Indeed worthy of consideration. Shalom

I Timothy6:[1] Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
[2] And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
[3] 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;
[4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
[5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
[6] But godliness with contentment is great gain.
[7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
[8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
[9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
[10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
[11] But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
[12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

 

[Hopefully]

2 hours ago, Starise said:

The teaching itself is the danger and the associated fleshly responses further confirm it.

Hi Starise,

 I think everyone does these things mentioned from time to time. Maybe it’s when we see these traits all the time that matters.

 I think it is more difficult to detect than most people think. 
 

We are given what the fruits of false teachers is just like we are given what the fruit of the Spirit is. Love joy peace etc.

False teachers do stir up believers causing arguments which can lead to more sin if one is not careful.

We are told to rightly divide the word and we are told to stay away from arguments and not to try and reason with fools.

 I take that to mean we can speak against false teaching. The thing is something only has to be said once. People will hear it and decide which way to go.

Most people can’t speak out once knowing they are heard. They will go back and forth arguing. 
 

When false teachers get us to argue they are already winning even though we are right.

[Starise]

Good points @Hopefully

More on these false teachers-2 Peter 2:1-3 ESV

2 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. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

We see three telling things here

Sensuality, greed and exploitation. 

How many men have been caught that were supposed to be men of God who were involved with prostitutes?

How many are greedy? Greed defined here in my opinion would be extravagance. What is considered to be extravagant? Greedy people are never full. They continue to amass wealth they spend on themselves long after their baskets are pressed down full and running over. Greed always wants one more dollar. The bible says money is the root of all evil.

Exploitation- "Send us 100 dollars for a prayer cloth" " Buy my books" "If you give to God He will make you rich!!"

When a farmer raises a crop for production he grooms the plants with plenty of fertilizer and water, then he takes the fruit. He gets what he wants, the crop. In a false teacher's world YOU are the crop. They groom YOU with prosperity gospel fertilizer because they want your MONEY. How many times do we hear of a follow up call from one of them to a brother or sister to check on their well being? No. They only TAKE. The center of their universe is THEM.

[Markie51]

Yes, it seems to me that you made significant points  for understanding the message In 1 Timothy 6:4.  I do not feel that I could add anymore other than reading the prior few verses establishes the foundation to your summary.