1 Timothy 6:3 3If anyone teaching false doctrine and is not devoted to sound words from our Lord Jesus Christ and to the teaching according to godliness,
Paul returns to addressing the problem of heretical and contrary people in the Ephesian church. These verses list many problems with these people and warn Timothy and the Ephesians about the dangers of accepting their teachings. Verse 3 is given as the protasis of a long conditional sentence that continues to verse 5. There are three major problems with these people.
First, they teach the wrong doctrines. At the end of verse 2, Paul urged Timothy to focus on teaching the truth as Paul instructed him. The best defense against false doctrine is to know the truth, but it can also be helpful to know what to look for. So that is what Paul does in this list by pointing out the characteristics of the unnamed false teachers. He gives his directive in the form of a timeless statement that can fit anyone who teaches heresy. False doctrine is anything that diminishes or compromises the gospel as handed down from the apostles and recognized as orthodox in the church. Scripture is always the “canon” (meaning “measuring rod” or standard), but there are many parts of the Bible that can be twisted and misunderstood. Good tests of orthodoxy are the ancient creeds of the church.
Paul narrows the field of orthodox teaching as sound words from our Lord Jesus Christ. The genitive phrase, literally, “of our Lord,” could be objective, in the sense of the teachings are about Jesus or subjective, in the sense of being from Jesus. Either is possible and does not detract from the overall point. Jesus, the living Word, is the ultimate subject and source of what should be taught. Sound (hygiainousin) can mean healthy, and in reference to teaching, means correct and truthful.
The second characteristic of the correct teaching is the intended outcome of godliness (eusebeian). Paul has used this significant word multiple times in this letter (2:2; 3:16; 4:7, 8) to refer to living in holiness and devotion to the teachings of the gospel. If the message is correct, the lifestyle that results will be pleasing to God.
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