EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)
1 Timothy 6:3-5. Description of the heretics.
εἴ τις ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖ] On
ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖν, comp.
1 Timothy 1:3;
εἴ τις often occurs in the epistle for
ὅστις or the like; comp.
1 Timothy 3:5,
1 Timothy 5:8; the thought is given in its most comprehensive form.
καὶ μὴ προσέρχεται κ.
τ.
λ.] defines
ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖν more exactly, characterizing it as opposed to the pure doctrine of the gospel, as a preaching therefore of heresy (not merely “of a doctrine which has not the quality of being pious” (!), Hofmann).
προσέρχεσθαι is used of mental agreement, and is equivalent to “agree with” (de Wette, Wiesinger, van Oosterzee); comp. Philo,
de Gigantt. p. 289:
μηδενὶ προσέρχεσθαι γνώμῃ τῶν εἰρημένων. On
ὑγιαίνουσι λόγοις, comp.
1 Timothy 1:10. Hofmann arbitrarily explains the word by: “devote oneself to a thing; employ one’s pains on it.” If
προσέχεται is the correct reading, then it is to be explained: “and does not
hold fast by sound words.” The genitive
τοῦ κυρίου ἡμ.
Ἰ.
Χρ. gives the source from which the
λόγοι proceed.
Καὶ τῇ κατʼ εὐσέβειαν διδασκαλίᾳ] an epexegetic addition to what preceded. The expression is not, with Leo and Wiesinger, to be explained by: doctrina ad pietatem ducens;
κατά rather expresses the relation of correspondence, suitability (van Oosterzee). By
εὐσέβεια is meant Christian piety.—
1 Timothy 6:4.
τετύφωται] comp.
1 Timothy 3:6.[199] With this word begins the apodosis, which Wegscheider, Mack, and others find expressed only in
ἀφίστασο ἀπὸ τ.
τοιούτων, which words we can hardly consider genuine.
μηδὲν ἐπιστάμενος (comp.
1 Timothy 1:7), the participle is not to be resolved into “although;” all the more that
τετύφωται conveys a suggestion of dumbness. Their knowledge, on which they, presume, is limited to fables, and does not penetrate into the truth.
ἀλλὰ νοσῶν περὶ ζητήσεις καὶ λογομαχίας]
νοσῶν, in contrast with
ὑγιαίνουσι λόγοις in
1 Timothy 6:3.
Περὶ ζητήσεις κ.
τ.
λ. gives the sickness of which he is ill (comp. Plato,
Phaedr. p. 288:
ὁ νοσῶν περὶ λόγων ἀκοήν; Winer, p. 379 [E. T. p. 506]). Luther, not clear: “diseased
in questions;” Stier, correct: “diseased
with.”
On
ζητήσεις, comp.
1 Timothy 1:4; the addition of
λογομαχίαι denotes more exactly the nature of the
ζητήσεις. Calvin:
λογομαχίας nominat contentiosas disputationes de verbis magis, quam de rebus, vel (ut vulgo loquuntur) sine materia aut subjecto. The word (occurring only in later Greek) is
ἅπ.
λεγ., the verb
λογομαχεῖν,
2 Timothy 2:14.
Hitherto he has described the “condition of soul among the
ἑτεροδιδασκαλοῦντες” (Wiesinger); the consequences of their
ζητ. and
λογομ., particularly the destructive tendencies, are given in what follows:
ἐξ ὧν γίνεται κ.
τ.
λ.]
φθόνος,
ἔρις,[200]
ΒΛΑΣΦΗΜΊΑΙ, form a climax.
ΒΛΑΣΦΗΜΊΑΙ and
ὙΠΌΝΟΙΑΙ ΠΟΝΗΡΑΊ are wrongly understood by Chrysostom of conduct towards God. On the latter expression, equivalent to “wicked suspicion” (Luther), see Wisd. 3:24; the word is
ἍΠ.ΛΕΓ. in the N. T. Hofmann wishes to separate
ΠΟΝΗΡΑΊ from
ὙΠΌΝΟΙΑΙ, and to connect it with the next word, “because
ὙΠΟΝΟΕῖΝ in itself means suspecting evil.” But, on the one hand,
ὙΠΟΝΟΕῖΝ has often the simple meaning “conjecture” (
e.g.Acts 13:25; also in classic Greek); and, on the other hand, “the suspicion of something evil,” and “the evil, wicked suspicion,” are by no means identical things.—
1 Timothy 6:5.
διαπαρατριβαί] This word and
ΠΑΡΑΔΙΑΤΡΙΒΑΊ (according to the usual reading) are not equivalent, as Heydenreich thinks; see Winer, p. 96 [E. T. p. 126]. The distinction between
ΠΑΡΑΤΡΙΒΉ and
ΔΙΑΤΡΙΒΉ is to be maintained.
ΔΙΑΤΡΙΒΉ means, in regard to time: “its consumption, pastime, occupation;” with the prefix
ΠΑΡΑ there is added the idea of idle, useless, so that
ΠΑΡΑΔΙΑΤΡΙΒΉ denotes the useless occupation of time. The word
ΠΑΡΑΤΡΙΒΉ (only in later Greek) means: “wrangling, dispute;”
ΔΙΑ serves to intensify the meaning, hence
ΔΙΑΠΑΡΑΤΡΙΒΉ is equivalent to “
continuous or
violent wraingling” (de Wette). Luther translated it: “scholastic disputes.” As the idea of strife has been given already by
ἔρις, we might be inclined to consider the
Rec. to be the original reading, were the evidence for it not too weak. The same may be said of the reading
διατριβαί, which Hofmann, without sufficient ground, maintains to be “what was originally written.” At any rate, the idea “continual wrangling” is not so identical with that of “strife” (
ἜΡΙς) as to prevent them from being used together.[201] Reiche paraphrases the reading
ΔΙʼ Ἃ ΠΑΡΑΤΡΙΒΑΊ as equivalent to per quae, nempe vitia morbosque animi vs 4, exoriuntur rixae et certamina, etc.; but
ΔΙʼ Ἅ is not equivalent to
per quae, and the previous
ἐξ ὧν is against this construction.
ΔΙΕΦΘΑΡΜΈΝΩΝ ἈΝΘΡΏΠΩΝ ΤῸΝ ΝΟῦΝ] Regarding this accus., see Winer, p. 205 [E. T. p. 287]; comp.
2 Timothy 3:8 (Xenophon,
De Exped. Cyri, iv. 259:
διεφθαρμένοι τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς): “
whose understanding is destroyed.”
καὶ ἀπεστερημένων τῆς ἀληθείας] “
who have been robbed of the truth.” This and the previous participial clauses indicate that formerly the heretics had their understanding sound, and were in possession of the truth, but that they had lost both these jewels, according to
1 Timothy 4:1, by the influence of demons. It should never have been denied that they who are thus described were actual heretics.
The next clause adds another peculiar characteristic, which proves the
διεφθαρμένων κ.
τ.
λ.:
νομιζόντων πορισμὸν εἶναι τὴν εὐσέβειαν]
πορισμός (only here and at
1 Timothy 6:6; comp.
Sir 13:19;
Sir 14:2) is equivalent to “
means of gain,”
i.e. a business bringing gain; Luther: “trade.”
Wegscheider wrongly explains
εὐσέβεια as equivalent to
Ἡ ΚΑΤʼ ΕὐΣΈΒΕΙΑΝ ΔΙΔΑΣΚΑΛΊΑ. The idea is to be kept in its proper meaning; although that which the heretics made to appear
ΕὐΣΈΒΕΙΑ was not
ΕὐΣΈΒΕΙΑ, but only the appearance of it (
2 Timothy 3:5 :
ΜΌΡΦΩΣΙΝ ΕὐΣΕΒΕΊΑς), by means of which they sought to make earthly gain (
Titus 1:11).
As to the construction, it seems most natural to make the substantive at the beginning of the verse dependent on
ἘΞ ὯΝ ΓΊΝΕΤΑΙ,1 Timothy 6:4, along with the substantives before it. Hofmann, on the contrary, thinks it curious, “that besides the bad things already mentioned, there should also be named those with whom they occur;” and he wishes rather to regard
ΠΟΝΗΡΑῚ ΔΙΑΤΡΙΒΑΊ (which he reads) as in apposition to
ΖΗΤΉΣΕΙς ΚΑῚ ΛΟΓΟΜΑΧΊΑς, just as in
Jam 3:8, where the nominative stands in apposition to the previous accusative as a kind of exclamation. This construction is possible, but it is by no means necessary, and from the structure of the sentence not even probable.
The last remark furnishes the apostle with an opportunity for a digression on Christian contentment.[202]
[199] Hofmann thinks that
τετύφωται does not here, as in
1 Timothy 3:6, contain the idea of darkness, since “Paul means to express regarding the schismatics an opinion, not in regard to their moral, but in regard to their spiritual condition.” This opinion is contradicted by the fact that in what follows
νοσῶν κ.
τ.
λ. manifestly denotes a moral fault.
[200] Clemens Al.
Stromata, vii. p. 759:
ὑπὸ δοξοσοφίας ἐπῃρμένοι ἐρίζοντες πελοῦσι.
[201] Oecumenius explains the expression
ἀπὸ μεταφορᾶς τῶν ψωραλέων προβάτων, and Chrysostom says likewise:
καθάπερ τὰ ψωραλέα τῶν προβάτων παρατριβόμενα νόσου καὶ τὰ ὑγιαίνοντα ἐμπίμπλησιν,
οὕτω καὶ οὗτοι οἱ πονηροὶ ἄνδρες.—The meaning “provocations” (Mack), and this other: “wicked and hurtful meetings or clubs” (Heinrichs), can he assigned neither to
παραδιατριβαί nor to
διαπαρατριβαί.
[202] Hofmann’s opinion, that the deductions following are not occasioned by the conduct of the heretics, but by Timothy’s conduct, are not warranted by the exhortation in
1 Timothy 6:11 :
ταῦτα φεῦγε.
1 Timothy 6:3-21. Thoughts about the right use of wealth are suggested by the slave problem, a mischievous attitude towards which is associated with false doctrine. If a man possesses himself, he has enough. This possession is eternal as well as temporal. This is my lesson for the poor, for you as a man of God (and I solemnly adjure you to learn and teach it), and for the rich.
3.
teach otherwise] More fully R.V.,
teacheth a different doctrine, but even this does not completely give the force; for the ‘different’ is not so much ‘different from what has just been laid down,’ as ‘different from the one true deposit, the creed of all my gospel and all your life;’ and helps to form the meaning now attached to
heterodoxy, lit. ‘
opinions different from established truth.’ The close of the Epistle takes up the opening where this word has occurred before there has been time to lay down any teaching,
1 Timothy 1:3. Lewin renders here ‘if any man teach what is heterodox.’
wholesome words] Again taking up his opening phrase
1 Timothy 1:10, where see note.
Sound is the best English equivalent, if we do not stay on the most modern and ‘cant’ sense of the word, but go back to its early vigour, so as to appreciate St Paul’s contrast here with the ‘
sickly questionings’ of the false teacher,
1 Timothy 6:4. See Appendix, K.
our Lord Jesus Christ] This exact order of the words so familiar to us in St Paul’s other writings occurs only here and
1 Timothy 6:14 throughout these Epistles according to the true text. An imitator would surely, as we see by the various readings so often attempted, have taken pains to make the well-known formula a marked feature. It may be also noted that the aged saint, so near the end of his ‘good fight,’ does not presume familiarly on his Saviour’s intimacy, so as to use the one name ‘Jesus’ with tripping fluency. It is still ‘Christ Jesus,’ ‘Jesus Christ,’ ‘The Lord.’ See note on
1 Timothy 1:1.
the doctrine … according to godliness] Two characteristic words of these Epistles combined in a phrase which might be taken as their keynote—‘Holy Truth—True Holiness.’ See previous notes on the words and especially the note on the central doctrinal passage
1 Timothy 3:16.
3–10. A further warning against false Teachers. Their covetousness
From the 3rd verse to the 16th St Paul once again resumes two of the chief topics of the Epistle—false teachers’ perverted doctrine, and Timothy’s own true unswerving life; in each case with a new thought, (1) of the debasing motive of traffic in godliness, (2) of the inspiring motive of the Master’s appearing. He then,
1 Timothy 6:17-19, gives one further direction (suggested perhaps by
1 Timothy 6:10) of pastoral faithfulness towards the rich; and in a last abrupt and touchingly natural outburst throws himself upon his son Timothy, and gathers up all his fears and hopes on the one chiefest subject in the brief appeal of
1 Timothy 6:20-21, from which he can no longer keep back the misused name of the monster evil—‘knowledge—falsely named,
Gnosis—
the Misnomer,’
1 Timothy 6:3-10, unsound teaching, especially for gain.
1 Timothy 6:3.
Ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖ,
teach otherwise) The antithesis is,
teach, in
1 Timothy 6:2. The conclusion thus corresponding to the beginning of the discussion, ch.
1 Timothy 1:3.—
μὴ προσέρχεται,
accede [
consent]
not) Seneca has, “accedere opinioni,”
to accede or
consent to an opinion: and so others, as we find in Pricæus.
Verse 3. -
Teacheth for
teach, A.V.; a
different doctrine for
otherwise, A.V.;
consenteth for
consent, A.V.;
sound for
wholesome, A.V.
Teacheth a different doctrine (
ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖ); see above,
1 Timothy 1:3, note.
Consenteth (
προσέρχεται); very common in the New Testament, in the literal sense of "coming to" or "approaching," but only here in the metaphorical sense of "assenting to." The steps seem to
he,
first, approaching a subject with the mind with a view of considering it; and
then consenting to it - coming over to it. The term
προσήλυτος,
a convert to Judaism, and the phrase from Irenaeus ('Fragm.,' 2.), quoted by Ellicott,
Οὐτοῖς τῶν Ιουδαίων δόγμασι προσέρχονται, "They do not fall in with, or agree to, the doctrines of the Jews," sufficiently illustrate the usage of the word here.
Sound (
ὑγιαίνουσι) see
1 Timothy 1:10, note.
Godliness (
ἐυσεβεία); see
1 Timothy 2:2, note. 1 Timothy 6:3
Teach otherwise (ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖ)
See on1 Timothy 1:3.
Consent (προσέρχεται)
Lit. draw nigh. To approach as one who confidingly accepts another's proffer. Hence, to assent to. Comp.Acts 10:28;1 Peter 2:4;Hebrews 4:16;Hebrews 10:22. Often in lxx, and habitually in the literal sense. The figurative sense, Sir. 1:27, 30; 4:15; 6:26. oP. The phrase only here.
Of our Lord, etc.
Either concerning our Lord, or spoken by him. Probably the latter, according to N.T. usage, in which word of the Lord or word of God commonly means the word that proceeds from God. The phrase words of our Lord Jesus Christ only here.
Doctrine which is according to godliness (τῇ κατ εὐσέβειαν διδασκαλίᾳ)
The phrase only here. See on1 Timothy 1:10. For εὐσέβεια, on1 Timothy 2:2.
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