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| 1 Timothy 6:03 |
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; [...and the closing
admonition of verse 5: "from such withdraw thyself]
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1 Timothy 6:3-5
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.
Let us first look at the Barclay commentary on
verses three through five:
FALSE TEACHERS AND FALSE TEACHING
1 Timothy 6:3–5
If any man offers a different kind of teaching, and
does not apply himself to sound words (it
is the words of our Lord Jesus Christ I mean)
and to godly teaching, he has become inflated with
pride. He is a man of no understanding; rather he
has a diseased addiction to subtle speculations and
battles of words, which can be only a source of
envy, strife, the exchange of insults, evil
suspicions, continual altercations of men whose
minds are corrupt and who are destitute of the
truth, men whose belief is that religion is a means
of making gain.
THE circumstances of life in the ancient world
presented the false teachers with an opportunity
which they were not slow to take. On the Christian
side, the Church was full of wandering prophets
whose very way of life gave them a certain prestige.
The Christian service was much more informal than it
is now. Anyone who felt called to deliver a message
was free to give it, and the door was wide open to
those who were out to propagate a false and
misleading message. On the non-Christian side, there
were men called sophists, wise men, who made it
their business to sell philosophy. They had two
lines. They claimed – for a fee – to be able to
teach people to argue cleverly; they were the men
who with their smooth tongues and their adroit [skilful,
quick in thought] minds were skilled in
what John Milton refers to in Paradise Lost as
‘making the worse appear the better reason’. They
had turned philosophy into a way of becoming rich.
Their other line was to give demonstrations of
public speaking. The Greeks had always been
fascinated by the spoken word; they loved an orator;
and these wandering sophists went from town to town,
giving their demonstrations in the art of oratory.
They went in for advertising on an intensive scale
and even went as far as delivering by hand personal
invitations to their displays. The most famous of
them drew people literally by the thousand to their
lectures; they were in their day the equivalent of
the modern pop star. Philostratus, the Greek
philosopher and teacher, tells us that Adrian, one
of the most famous of them, had such a popular power
that, when his messenger appeared with the news that
he was to speak, even the senate and the circus
emptied, and the whole population flocked to the
Athenaeum to hear him. These sophists had three
great faults.
Their speeches were quite unreal. They would offer
to speak on any subject, however remote and obscure
and unlikely, that any member of the audience might
propose. This is the kind of question they would
argue; it is an actual example. A man goes into the
citadel of a town to kill a tyrant who has been
grinding down the people; not finding the tyrant, he
kills the tyrant’s son; the tyrant comes in and sees
his dead son with the sword in his body, and in his
grief kills himself; the man then claims the reward
for killing the tyrant and liberating the people;
should he receive it?
Their thirst was for applause. Competition between
them was a bitter and cut-throat affair. Plutarch
tells of a travelling sophist called Niger, who came
to a town in Galatia where a prominent orator lived.
A competition was immediately arranged. Niger had to
compete or lose his reputation. He was suffering
from a fishbone in his throat and had difficulty in
speaking, but for the sake of his reputation he had
to go on. Inflammation set in soon after, and in the
end he died. Dio Chrysostom paints a picture of a
public place in Corinth with all the different kinds
of competitors in full blast: ‘You might hear many
poor wretches of sophists shouting and abusing each
other, and their disciples, as they call them,
squabbling, and many writers of books reading their
stupid compositions, and many poets singing their
poems, and many jugglers exhibiting their marvels,
and many soothsayers giving the meaning of
prodigies, and 1,000 rhetoricians [ret-uh-rish-uhns]
twisting lawsuits, and no small number of traders
driving their several trades.’ There you have just
that interchange of insults, that envy and strife,
that constant wordy quarrelling of people with
decadent minds that the writer of the Pastorals
deplores. ‘A sophist’, wrote Philostratus, ‘is put
out in an extempore speech by a serious-looking
audience and tardy praise and no clapping.’ ‘They
are all agape’, said Dio Chrysostom, ‘for the murmur
of the crowd . . . Like men walking in the dark they
move always in the direction of the clapping and the
shouting.’ Lucian writes: ‘If your friends see you
breaking down, let them pay the price of the suppers
you give them by stretching out their arms and
giving you a chance of thinking of something to say
in the intervals between the rounds of applause.’
The ancient world was only too familiar with just
the kind of false teacher who was invading the
Church.
Their thirst was for praise, and their success was
measured by numbers. The Greek Stoic philosopher
Epictetus [ep-ik-tee-tuhs]
has some vivid pictures of the sophist talking to
his disciples after his performance. ‘“Well, what
did you think of me today?” “Upon my life, sir, I
thought you were admirable.” “What did you think of
my best passage?” “Which was that?” “Where I
described Pan and the Nymphs.” “Oh, it was
excessively well done.” “A much larger audience
today, I think”, says the sophist. “Yes, much
larger”, responds the disciple. “Five hundred, I
should guess.” “O, nonsense! It could not have been
less than 1,000.” “Why, that is more than Dio ever
had. I wonder why it was? They appreciated what I
said, too.” “Beauty, sir, can move a stone.”’ These
performing sophists were ‘the pets of society’. They
became senators, governors and ambassadors. When
they died, monuments were erected to them, with
inscriptions such as ‘The Queen of Cities to the
King of Eloquence’.
The Greeks were intoxicated with the spoken word.
Among them, if a man could speak, his fortune was
made. It was against a background like that that the
Church was growing up, and it is little wonder that
this type of teacher invaded it. The Church gave
such people a new area in which to show off their
superficial gifts and to gain a cheap and showy fame
and a not unprofitable following.
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FALSE TEACHERS
HERE in this passage are set out the characteristics
of the false teachers.
(1) Their first characteristic is conceit. Their
desire is not to display Christ but to display
themselves. There are still preachers and teachers
who are more concerned to gain a following for
themselves than for Jesus Christ, more concerned to
press their own views than to bring to men and women
the word of God. Great teachers do not offer people
their own small spark of illumination; they offer
them the light and the truth of God.
(2) Their concern is with remote and obscure
speculations. There is a kind of Christianity which
is more concerned with argument than with life. To
be a member of a discussion circle or a Bible study
group and to spend enjoyable hours in talk about
doctrines does not necessarily make a Christian. J.
S. Whale in his book Christian Doctrine has certain
scathing things to say about this pleasant
intellectualism: ‘We have, as Valentine said of
Thurio, “an exchequer of words, but no other
treasure”. Instead of putting off our shoes from our
feet because the place whereon we stand is holy
ground, we are taking nice photographs of the
Burning Bush from suitable angles: we are chatting
about theories of the Atonement with our feet on the
mantelpiece, instead of kneeling down before the
wounds of Christ.’ . If you want a man to change a
piece of silver, he informs you wherein the Son
differs from the Father; if you ask the price of a
loaf, you are told by way of reply that the Son is
inferior to the Father; and if you inquire whether
the bath is ready, the answer is that the Son is
made out of nothing.’ Subtle argumentation and glib
theological statements do not make a Christian. That
kind of thing may well be nothing other than a mode
of escape from the challenge of Christian living.
(3) The false teachers disturb the peace. They are
instinctively competitive; they are suspicious of
all who disagree with them; when they cannot win in
an argument, they hurl insults at their opponents’
theological positions, and even at their character;
in any argument, the tone of their voices is
bitterness and not love. They have never learned to
speak the truth in love. The source of their
bitterness is the exaltation of self, for their
tendency is to regard any difference from or any
criticism of their views as a personal insult.
(4) The false teachers commercialize religion. They
are out for profit. They look on their teaching and
preaching not as a vocation but as a career. One
thing is certain – there is no place for those who
seek advancement in the ministry of any church. The
Pastorals are quite clear that the labourer deserves
to be paid; but the motive for work must be public
service and not private gain. The passion of the one
who labours for Christ is not to get, but to spend
and be spent in the service of Christ and of others.
~Barclay commentaries
Now to the other commentaries.
Tonight we are looking at verse 3. However verses
three through five are being spoken in one
utterance; one thought. Each verse is speaking to a
description of a false teacher in the church. If we
only deal with verse three tonight, it might seem as
if we are ending in the middle of a sentence or
discussing an incomplete thought. Not so if we
figure in the last phrase of verse five, "from such
withdraw thyself." So whether we discuss verse
three, verse four or verse five, we can easily end
each thought with, "from such withdraw thyself." We
will do this for all three discussions [verse
three, verse four and verse five].
The verse is generally seen in four phrases:
1] If any man teach otherwise.
2] And consent not to wholesome words.
3] Even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ.
4] And to the doctrines which is according to
godliness.
Keep in mind as you listen to the commentary that
many are couching verses 3-5 in relation to what was
said in verses 1-2:
1 Timothy 6: 1-2
[see lesson
verse 1; see lesson
verse 2]
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.
First general commentaries before we get into the
individual phrases:
Paul here warns Timothy to withdraw from those who
corrupted the doctrine of Christ, and made it the
subject off strife, debate, and controversy: If any
man teach otherwise (1Ti_6:3-5), do not preach
practically, do not teach and exhort that which is
for the promoting of serious godliness - if he will
not consent to wholesome words, words that have a
direct tendency to heal the soul - if he will not
consent to these, even the words of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Observe, We are not required to consent to
any words as wholesome words except the words of our
Lord Jesus Christ; but to those we must give our
unfeigned assent and consent, and to the doctrine
which is according to godliness. Observe, The
doctrine of our Lord Jesus is a doctrine according
to godliness; it has a direct tendency to make
people godly. But he that does not consent to the
words of Christ is proud.
~Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible
We are not to consent to any words as wholesome,
except the words of our Lord Jesus Christ; to these
we must give unfeigned consent. Commonly those are
most proud who know least; for they do not know
themselves. Hence come envy, strife, railings,
evil-surmisings, disputes that are all subtlety, and
of no solidity, between men of corrupt and carnal
minds, ignorant of the truth and its sanctifying
power, and seeking their worldly advantage.
~Matthew Henry Concise
commentary
1] If any man teach otherwise.
If any man teach otherwise
- Teach new doctrines or duties which differ from
the doctrine of Christ.
~People's New Testament
If any teach otherwise
- Than strict practical holiness in all Its
branches. And consent not to sound words -
Literally, healthful words; words that have no taint
of falsehood, or tendency to encourage sin. And the
doctrine which is after godliness - Exquisitely
contrived to answer all the ends, and secure every
interest, of real piety.
~John Wesley Explanatory Notes
If any man teach otherwise
- It appears that there were teachers of a different
kind in the Church, a sort of religious levellers,
who preached that the converted servant had as much
right to the master’s service as the master had to
his. Teachers of this kind have been in vogue long
since the days of Paul and Timothy.
~Adam Clarke
If any man teach otherwise
- Or another doctrine, as the Syriac version renders
it; a doctrine different from what the apostle had
now taught, concerning the duty of servants to their
masters; as did the false teachers, who despised
dominion or government; not only civil government,
and so spoke evil of rulers and magistrates; and
church government, and therefore reviled the
apostles, elders, and pastors of churches; but
family government, and encouraged disobedience to
parents and masters. ~John
Gill
Related verses:
1 Timothy 1:3 [see
lesson]
As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I
went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some
that they teach no other doctrine,
1 Timothy 1:6
[see
lesson]
From which some having swerved have turned aside
unto vain jangling;
Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause
divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine
which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Galatians 1:6-7
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that
called you into the grace of Christ unto another
gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that
trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
2] And consent not to wholesome
words.
And consent not to wholesome
words - Ὑγιαινουσι λογοις Healing doctrines
- doctrines which give nourishment and health to the
soul, which is the true character of all the
doctrines taught by our Lord Jesus Christ; doctrines
which are according to godliness - securing as amply
the honor and glory of God, as they do the peace,
happiness, and final salvation of man.
All this may refer to the general tenor of the
Gospel; and not to any thing said, or supposed to
have been said, by our Lord, relative to the
condition of slaves. With political questions, or
questions relative to private rights, our Lord
scarcely ever meddled; he taught all men to love one
another; to respect each other’s rights; to submit
to each other; to show all fidelity; to be obedient,
humble, and meek; and to know that his kingdom was
not of this world. ~Adam
Clarke
And consent not to wholesome
words - Words conducing to a healthful state
of the church; that is, doctrines tending to produce
order and a due observance of the proprieties of
life; doctrines leading to contentment, and sober
industry, and the patient endurance of evils.
~Barnes Notes
And consent not to wholesome
words - such as the doctrines of the Gospel;
they are food to the saints, milk for babes, and
meat for strong men; they are sweet and savoury food
to a spiritual taste; they are nourishing, and the
means of a spiritual growth; they are salutary and
healthful; they have no corruption, taint, or poison
in them: ~John Gill
Related verses:
1 Timothy 1:10 [see
lesson]
For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves
with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for
perjured persons, and if there be any other thing
that is contrary to sound doctrine;
2 Timothy 1:13
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast
heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ
Jesus.
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they
heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Titus 1:9
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been
taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both
to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Titus 2:1-2
1 But speak thou the things which become sound
doctrine:
2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate,
sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3] Even the words of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Even the words of our Lord
Jesus Christ - The doctrines of the Saviour -
all of which tended to a quiet life, and to a
patient endurance of wrongs.
~Barnes Notes
Even the words of our Lord
Jesus Christ - the doctrines which he
preached when on each, who was anointed with the
Spirit of God without measure, to preach the Gospel,
and by whom all the doctrines of grace and truth
came; or the doctrines relating to Christ, to his
person, offices, grace, righteousness, sacrifice and
satisfaction; to what he is, has done, does, and
will do. ~John Gill
Related verses:
Matthew 22:21
They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto
them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which
are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are
God's.
Matthew 28:20
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-2
1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and
exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have
received of us how ye ought to walk and to please
God, so ye would abound more and more.
2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the
Lord Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:8
He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but
God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
4] And to the doctrines which is
according to godliness.
And to the doctrine which is
according to godliness - Which tends to
produce piety or religion; that is, the doctrine
which would be most favorable to an easy and rapid
propagation of the gospel. The idea seems to be,
that such a state of insubordination and discontent
as they would produce, would be unfavorable to the
promotion of religion. Who can doubt it?
~Barnes Notes
Related verses:
1 Timothy 4:7-8 [Lesson
verse 7; Lesson
verse 8]
7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and
exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but
godliness is profitable unto all things, having
promise of the life that now is, and of that which
is to come.
Titus 1:1
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus
Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and
the acknowledging of the truth which is after
godliness.
Titus 2:11-14
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath
appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and
godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious
appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus
Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us
from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a
peculiar people, zealous of good works.
2 Peter 1:3-7
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us
all things that pertain unto life and godliness,
through the knowledge of him that hath called us to
glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and
precious promises: that by these ye might be
partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your
faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance
patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to
brotherly kindness charity. |
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