1 Timothy 6:4-5 4he is conceited, understanding nothing, but being sick over controversial debates and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, slander, evil suspicions, 5and constant friction of people with depraved minds and deprived of the truth, who think that godliness is a means of gain.
Verse 4 introduces the second major topic of Paul’s exhortation about the false teachers and focuses on their interest in controversial subjects. The apodosis (“then”) part of the conditional sentence begins in this verse. Paul’s words are strong in these verses, which should have been a wake up call for Timothy and the Ephesian church about the seriousness of following false teachings.
The primary problem of the false teachers is their conceit (tetyphōtai). The perfect tense of this verb suggests that they had become puffed up about themselves and what they were doing and just kept growing in this. Their heads were going to burst because of their pride. Their pride was not an occasional boast but an ongoing sickness and way of life.
Their arrogance was on full display because of their lack of understanding of the truth. It should not have been hard to discern their false thinking if a person knew the truth. The list continues to develop with further outcomes of their pride and poor understanding by pointing out their sickness due to getting caught up in trivial and controversial debates. They were arguing over the meaning of words. Elevating opinions to the level of doctrine opens the door to thinking that speculations also are true. This digression can open the door to heresy. Theories should not be taught in the church.
Their pride evidenced in how they promoted their opinions as truth further resulted in jealousy and friction in relationships. Opinions often lead to disputes and hurt feelings and can even result in slander and evil suspicions. Rumors and backtalking will result in a sick church. The teachings in Ephesus could ruin the church.
The deeper spiritual issue was the false teachers’ depraved minds (diaphteirō). This word describes the final stages of an illness. Their minds had decayed and become decrepit. Their depravity resulted in deprivity. They had followed the way of Satan and opened themselves to deceit. Pride is a dangerous mindset that can create so many problems, especially if a person thinks he or she has the correct opinions.
The end of verse 5 gives the third topic of Paul’s warning with the mention of the false teachers’ desire for financial gain. They had a fundamental misunderstanding about Christian ethics. Paul again repeats the important word godliness. These teachers expected people to notice their godly living and pay them for it. Their thinking was far from the servanthood Jesus showed (Philippians 2:5-11). They did not see the crucial connection between teaching the truth and living it out. Since their thinking was wrong, their lifestyle was also wrong. They lacked sincere devotion to God. They used the gospel and their positions of influence for personal gain.
There are people today who follow in the footsteps of these false teachers. Because of their pride, they get caught up in their own teachings, and their false teachings feed their pride. They tend to be convincing speakers, dress in nice clothes, have perfectly groomed hair, and look “Christian” from the outside. But we must be warned, like Paul did to Timothy, that these people will only create problems in the church.
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