Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Timothy 6:4

"he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings," — 1 Timothy 6:4 (ASV)

A false teacher is someone who “teaches false doctrines” (i.e., doctrines other than the ones Timothy has been taught). Furthermore, he does not assent to “sound” (GK 5617) or healthy instruction, such as Paul has been writing in this letter.

Having defined the false teacher, Paul goes on to describe him in vv.4–5.

Bluntly he declares that such a person “is conceited [GK 5605] and understands nothing.” In spite of this ignorance, the false teacher has a morbid craving for endless “controversies and quarrels about words.” The first of these two nouns (GK 2428) can mean the legitimate investigation of religious and theological problems, though here it indicates debates or disputes (cf. 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9). Even well-intentioned theological discussions sometimes have a tendency to degenerate into word-battles or exercises in semantics.

Five things are mentioned as the result of the disputes and arguments. The first two are “envy” (GK 5784) and “strife” (GK 2251, cf. also Ro 1:29; Galatians 5:21). Envy always produces quarreling and strife. “Malicious talk” (GK 1060), when directed against God, means “blasphemy,” but when directed against other people, as here, it means “abusive speech” or “slander.” The fourth result is “evil suspicions.” The fifth result is spelled out at considerable length, comprising all of v.5.

“Constant friction” refers to the continual wrangling that occurs between those whose minds are corrupt. In spite of whatever good intentions they may have, these men “have been robbed of the truth.” They think that godliness is merely a way to make a lot of money.