1 Timothy 6:3
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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; | If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching, | If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedPaul has just told Timothy to teach the instructions about servants and masters (6:1-2). Verse 3 opens a long sentence about anyone who teaches something different. Verses 4-5 finish it: such a person is proud and quarrelsome and treats religion as a way to gain, and Timothy should withdraw from them. 1 Timothy 6:11 Timothy 6:21 Timothy 6:31 Timothy 6:41 Timothy 6:5
SpeakingPaul the apostle, who names himself as the writer of the letter. 1 Timothy overview
ToTimothy, Paul's younger co-worker, whom Paul had left to lead the church at Ephesus. 1 Timothy overview
Also involvedThe 'any man' who teaches otherwise: false teachers inside the church whom Timothy was to charge to teach no other doctrine. 1 Timothy 6:31 Timothy 1:31 Timothy overview
Paul describes a teacher who departs from 'wholesome words,' meaning the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, and from teaching that fits with godliness. The verse sets up the condition. Verses 4-5 give the verdict and tell Timothy to withdraw from such people. 1 Timothy 6:31 Timothy 6:41 Timothy 6:5
The letter is addressed to Timothy at Ephesus, a wealthy port city and capital of the Roman province of Asia. Where Paul wrote from is not stated; he may have been in Macedonia. 1 Timothy overview
The eventsThe text gives no exact moment. It comes while Timothy is leading the church at Ephesus after Paul went on to Macedonia. 1 Timothy 1:31 Timothy overview
WrittenTraditional view: about AD 62-64, by Paul. Scholarly view: many critical scholars date it around AD 80-110 and see it as written in Paul's name by a follower, while others defend Paul's authorship and the earlier date. 1 Timothy overview
HerePaul gives Timothy a test for spotting false teachers. Does their teaching agree with Christ's words, and does it lead to godly living? This sets up the warning that some treat religion as a means of gain (6:5). 1 Timothy 6:31 Timothy 6:51 Timothy overview
In the whole of ScriptureA key theme of the letter is that sound teaching produces godly living, so belief and behavior belong together. The section 6:3-21 ties false teaching to the love of money and calls for contentment. 1 Timothy overview1 Timothy 6:61 Timothy 6:10
For readersReaders are invited to judge teaching by two measures in the verse: agreement with the words of Jesus, and whether it leads to godliness. The surrounding verses add a warning sign: quarrels and a hunger for profit. 1 Timothy 6:31 Timothy 6:41 Timothy 6:5
- teach otherwiseἑτεροδιδασκαλέω
This one Greek verb means 'to teach a different doctrine.' Paul uses it again in 1:3. So the verse targets people who teach a different message, not people who merely ask questions. Strong's G20851 Timothy 1:3
- wholesomeὑγιαίνω
The word means 'healthy' and is used of physical health elsewhere. Calling teaching 'healthy' implies that false teaching is like a sickness, which fits the 'doting' or unhealthy craving in 6:4. Strong's G51981 Timothy 6:4
- consentπροσέρχομαι
The verb literally means 'to come near' or 'approach.' Here it means to agree with. The false teacher will not draw near to or accept Christ's words. Strong's G4334
- godlinessεὐσέβεια
The word means reverence or piety toward God. Paul uses it repeatedly in this chapter (6:5, 6, 11). True teaching is measured by whether it produces this kind of life, not by whether it brings gain. Strong's G21501 Timothy 6:51 Timothy 6:61 Timothy 6:11
Takeaway
Paul says true teaching is 'healthy': it agrees with the words of Jesus and leads to a godly life. Teaching that breeds pride, quarrels, and greed shows itself to be something else. 1 Timothy 6:31 Timothy 6:41 Timothy 6:51 Timothy overview
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-22.
The world around the text
Behind this verse
- Ephesus: The church at Ephesus
- Priscilla and Aquila taught there, and Paul stayed about three years, teaching daily in the school of Tyrannus. Saying farewell to its elders, he warned that from among themselves men would arise "speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." Acts 18:24-26Acts 19:9-10Acts 20:17Acts 20:29-31
About AD 62-64. Roman emperor: Nero (AD 54-68). Where Timothy was when Paul wrote. A port city on the west coast of today's Turkey and the greatest market of the province of Asia.
Who ruled
- Roman emperorNeroAD 54-68
Emperor over the whole Roman world, including Ephesus, Macedonia and Judea. When Paul appealed to Caesar as a Roman citizen, the Caesar was Nero. Paul tells Timothy to have prayers made "for kings, and for all that are in authority." Acts 25:10-12Acts 28:161 Timothy 2:1-2Suetonius, NeroTacitus, Annals 13-16
- Governor of the province where Ephesus stoodThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms
Asia was governed by a proconsul, a former consul appointed by the Senate for a year at a time, who heard cases in the province's leading cities. During the riot in Ephesus the town clerk reminded the crowd that "the law is open, and there are deputies" (proconsuls). Acts 19:38-39Strabo, Geography 17.3.25
- Jewish client kingHerod Agrippa IIc. AD 50-90s
Ruled territories north and east of Galilee under Rome and had the right to appoint the high priest in Jerusalem. He heard Paul's defense with Festus and told him, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts 25:13Acts 26:28Josephus, Antiquities 20.179, 20.203
- Roman governors of JudeaFestus, Albinus and Florusc. AD 59-66
Porcius Festus sent Paul to Rome and died in office around AD 62. Lucceius Albinus (62-64) and Gessius Florus (64-66) followed; Josephus blames Florus's greed and brutality for pushing Judea into revolt. Acts 24:27Acts 25:12Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203, 20.252-258Josephus, Jewish War 2.271-308
- King of ParthiaVologases Ic. AD 51-78
Ruler of the Parthian empire east of the Euphrates, Rome's one great rival. He fought Rome over Armenia until a settlement in AD 63 let his brother Tiridates rule Armenia as Rome's client. Tacitus, Annals 15.1-17, 15.24-31Cassius Dio, Roman History 62.19-23
What was happening, AD 58 to AD 68
- AD 58-63WarRome and Parthia fight over Armenia
Roman armies under Corbulo took the Armenian capitals Artaxata and Tigranocerta. In AD 62 a second Roman army under Paetus surrendered at Rhandeia, and in AD 63 the two empires made peace. Tacitus, Annals 13.34-41, 14.23-26, 15.1-17, 15.24-31
- AD 60DisasterEarthquake destroys Laodicea
Laodicea, about 150 km (95 miles) east of Ephesus in the same province, was ruined by an earthquake and rebuilt from its own wealth without help from Rome. Paul's letters mention the church there, and Revelation later quotes the city's boast, "I am rich." Tacitus, Annals 14.27Colossians 4:13-16Revelation 3:17
- AD 60-61WarBoudica's revolt in Britain
Boudica, queen of the Iceni, led a rising that burned Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London) and Verulamium before the Roman governor Suetonius Paulinus defeated her. Tacitus, Annals 14.29-39
- c. AD 60-62The churchPaul under guard in Rome
Paul lived two whole years in Rome under house arrest, receiving visitors and preaching openly. The traditional date for 1 Timothy places it soon after his release. Acts 28:16Acts 28:30-31
- c. AD 61-63DiscoveryNero's expedition up the Nile
Nero sent a party of soldiers to find the source of the Nile. They travelled far beyond Egypt and reached vast marshes they could not cross, likely the Sudd in today's South Sudan. The date is approximate. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.8.3-4Pliny, Natural History 6.181
- AD 62The churchJames, the Lord's brother, is killed in Jerusalem
Festus died in office. Before the next governor arrived, the high priest Ananus had "James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ" and others stoned. Ananus was removed after three months. Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203Galatians 1:19Acts 15:13
- AD 62 or 63DisasterEarthquake hits Pompeii
An earthquake badly damaged Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, seventeen years before Vesuvius buried them. Seneca dates it to AD 62; Tacitus to AD 63. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.1Tacitus, Annals 15.22
- c. AD 62DiscoveryHero of Alexandria's machines
The engineer Hero of Alexandria, whose work is dated by an eclipse of AD 62 he describes, wrote up a steam-spun sphere (the aeolipile) and a coin-operated machine that dispensed water in temples. Hero, Pneumatics 1.21, 2.11Hero, Dioptra 35
- c. AD 63-64BuildingJerusalem's temple is finished
Work on the temple Herod began around 20 BC was completed under Albinus, leaving some 18,000 workers without jobs. Six years later Roman armies destroyed it, as Jesus had foretold. Josephus, Antiquities 20.219-222John 2:20Luke 21:5-6
- July AD 64DisasterThe Great Fire of Rome
Fire burned for days. Of Rome's fourteen districts, three were destroyed and seven badly damaged. Nero then built his vast Golden House on the cleared land. Tacitus, Annals 15.38-43Suetonius, Nero 31, 38
- AD 64The churchNero blames and kills Christians
To end rumours that he had started the fire, Nero blamed the Christians of Rome. Tacitus records a "vast multitude" put to death, some torn by dogs and some burned as torches. Tacitus, Annals 15.44Suetonius, Nero 16.2
- AD 65RulersA plot against Nero fails
The Pisonian conspiracy to kill Nero was betrayed. Among those forced to take their own lives was Seneca, Nero's former tutor and the brother of Gallio, the governor who dismissed the case against Paul in Corinth. Tacitus, Annals 15.48-74Acts 18:12-17
- AD 66WarThe Jewish revolt begins
After Florus seized money from the temple treasury, Jerusalem rose against Rome and the daily sacrifice offered for the emperor was stopped. The war ended with Jerusalem and its temple destroyed in AD 70. Josephus, Jewish War 2.293-308, 2.409-410Luke 21:20-24
- AD 66-67BuildingNero tours Greece and starts a canal at Corinth
Nero competed in the Greek games and broke ground for a canal across the Isthmus of Corinth. The work stopped after his death; the canal was finally cut in 1893. Suetonius, Nero 19, 22-24
- c. AD 67The churchPaul's death in Rome
In his last letter Paul writes from prison that "the time of my departure is at hand." Early Christian tradition says he was beheaded in Rome under Nero. 2 Timothy 4:6-8Eusebius, Church History 2.25
- June AD 68RulersNero dies
Facing revolt in the provinces and declared an enemy by the Senate, Nero took his own life. Four emperors ruled in turn during the following year before Vespasian took power. Suetonius, Nero 47-49Tacitus, Histories 1.2
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then the ancient historians who wrote about these years (Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Seneca, Pliny the Elder, Strabo, Cassius Dio). Dates are as those writers give them; approximate dates say so. Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Original Greek words
| English | Greek | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| If | εἴ | ei | G1487G | ifεἰ (ei) εἰ, conjunctive particle, used in conditions and in indirect questions. I. Conditional, if; 1. with indic, expressing a general assumption; (a) pres.: before indic, pres., Mat.11:14, Rom.8:25, al.; before imperat., Mrk.4:23 9:22, Jhn.15:18, 1Co.7:9, al.; before fut. indic., Luk.16:31, Rom.8:11, al.; before pf. or aor., with negation in apodosis, Mat.12:26, Rom.4:14, al.; similarly, before impf., Luk.17:6, Jhn.8:39; before quæst., Mat.6:23, Jhn.5:47 7:23 8:46, 1Pe.2:20; (b) fut.: Mat.26:33, 1Pe.2:20; (with) pf.: Jhn.11:12, Rom.6:5, al.; … |
| anyone | τις | tis | G5100 | oneτις (tis) τις, neut., τι, genitive, τινός, enclitic indefinite pron., related to interrog. τίς as πού, πως, ποτέ to ποῦ, πῶς, πότε. I. As subst., 1. one, a certain one: Luk.9:49, Jhn.11:1, Act.5:25, al.; pl., τίνες, certain, some: Luk.13:1, Act.15:1, Rom.3:8, al. 2. someone, anyone, something, anything: Mat.12:29, Mrk.9:30, Luk.8:46, Jhn.2:25, Act.17:25, Rom.5:7, al.; = indef., one (French on), Mrk.8:4, Jhn.2:25, Rom.8:24, al.; pl., τινες, some, Mrk.14:4, al. II. II. As adj., … |
| teaches another doctrine | ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖ | heterodidaskalei | G2085 | to teach heresyἑτεροδιδασκαλέω (heterodidaskaleō) ἑτεροδιδασκαλέω, -ῶ to teach other or different doctrine: 1Ti.1:3 6:3 (cf. CGT, in l; Milligan, NTD, 102).† (AS) |
| and | καὶ | kai | G2532 | andκαί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. … |
| not | μὴ | mē | G3361 | notμή (mē) μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] I. As a neg. adv., not; 1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. 2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. … |
| he draws near | προσέρχεται | proserchetai | G4334 | to come near/agreeπροσέρχομαι (proserchomai) προσ-έρχομαι [in LXX for קָרַב, נָגַשׁ, etc. ;] to approach, draw near: absol., Mat.4:11, Luk.9:42, al.; with infin., Mat.24:1, al.; with dative loc., Heb.12:18, 22; dative of person(s), Mat.5:1, and freq., Jhn.12:21, al.; ptcp., προσελθών, with indic., Mat.8:2, and freq., Mrk.1:31, Luk.7:14, al.; π. αὐτῷ, with indic., Mat.4:3, Mrk.6:35, Metaphorical, (a) of approaching God: absol. (Lev.21:17, Deu.21:5, al.), Heb.10:1, 22; τ. θεῷ, Heb.7:25 11:6; τ. θρόνῳ τ. χάριτος, Heb.4:16; πρὸς Χριστόν, 1Pe.2:4; … |
| to sound | ὑγιαίνουσιν | hugiainousin | G5198 | be healthyὑγιαίνω (hugiainō) ὑγιαίνω (ὑγιής), [in LXX chiefly for שָׁלוֹם, and frequently in To ;] to be sound, healthy, in good health: Luk.5:31 7:10 15:27, 3Jo.2. In Past. Epp. (as also in cl.) metaphorically, ὑ. ἐν τ. πίστει, Tit.1:13 ; τ. πίστει, τ. ἀγάπῃ, τ. ὑπομονῇ, Tit.2:2; ἡ ὑγιαίνουσα διδασκαλία, 1Ti.1:10, 2Ti.4:3, Tit.1:9 2:1 ; λόγοι ὑγιαίνοντες, 1Ti.6:3, 2Ti.1:13.† (AS) |
| words | λόγοις | logois | G3056 | wordλόγος (logos) λόγος, -ου, ὁ (λέγω) [in LXX chiefly for דָּבָר, also for מִלָּה ,אֵמֶר, etc. ;] I. Of that by which the inward thought is expressed, Lat. oratio, sermo, vox, verbum. 1. a word, not in the grammatical sense of a mere name (ἔπος, ὄνομα, ῥῆμα), but a word as embodying a conception or idea: Mat.8:8, Luk.7:7, 1Co.14:9, 19 Heb.12:19, al. … |
| Lord | κυρίου | kuriou | G2962G | lord: Godκύριος (kurios) κύριος, -α, -ον (also -ος, -ον), [in LXX (subst.) chiefly for יהוה, also for בַּעַל ,אָדוֹן, etc. ;] having power (κῦρος) or authority; as subst., ὁ κ., lord, master; 1. in general: with genitive of thing(s), Mat.9:38 20:8, Mrk.12:9 13:35, Luk.19:33; τ. σαββάτου, Mat.12:8, Mrk.2:28, Luk.6:5; with genitive of person(s), δούλου, etc., Mat.10:24, Luk.14:21, Act.16:16, al.; absol, opposite to οἱ δοῦλοι, Eph.6:5, 9 al.; of the Emperor (Deiss., LAE, 161), Act.25:26; θεοὶ πολλοὶ καὶ κ. πολλοί, 1Co.8:5; of a husband, 1Pe.3:6; in voc, as a title of respect to masters, teachers, magistrates, etc., Ma … |
| of us | ἡμῶν | hēmōn | G3165 | meμέ (me) 1. apostrophe for με. 2. rarely for μοι, (Homer) (ML) |
| Jesus | Ἰησοῦ | Iēsou | G2424G | JesusἸησοῦς (Iēsous) Ἰησοῦς, -οῦ, dative, voc. -οῦ, accusative, -οῦν (Heb. יֵשׁוּעַ ,יְהֹשֻׁעַ ,יְהוֹשׁוּעַ), 1. JESUS: Mat.1:21, al.; ὁ Ἰ, ib. 3:13, al.; Ἰ. Χριστός, ib. 1:1, Mrk.1:1, al.; Χρ. Ἰ., Rom.2:26, al.; κύριος Ἰ., Act.28:31, al.; Ἰησοῦ, voc., Mrk.1:24, al. 2. Joshua: Act.7:45, Heb.4:8. 3. Jesus, son of Eliezer: Luk.3:28. 4. Jesus, surnamed Justus: Col.4:11. 5. see: βαραββᾶς. (AS) |
| Christ | Χριστοῦ | Christou | G5547 | ChristΧριστός (Christos) χριστός (Χρ-), -ή, -όν (χρίω), [in LXX for מָשִׁיחַ and cogn. forms ;] 1. 1. as adj., (a) of things, anointing, to be used as ointment (Æsch., Eur., al.; τ. ἔλαιον τὸ χ., Lev.21:10); (b) of persons, anointed (ὁ ἰερεὺς ὁ χ., Lev.4:5; οἱ χ. ἰευρεῖς, 2Ma.1:10): ὁ χ. τοῦ κυρίου or Θεοῦ (1Ki.2:10, Psa.2:2, al.), of the Messiah (Aram., מְשִׁיחָא; cf. Dalman, Words, 289 ff.), Luk.2:11, 26 Jhn.1:41, Act.2:36 4:26, al. … |
| and | καὶ | kai | G2532 | andκαί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. … |
| according to | κατ᾽ | kat᾽ | G2596 | according toκατά (kata) κατά (bef. a vowel κατ᾽, καθ᾽; on the frequently neglect of elision, see Tdf., Pr., 95; WH, App., 146a), prep. with genitive, accusative, down, downwards. I. C. genitive (WM, §47, k; Bl., §42, 2). 1. C. genitive of thing(s), in local sense; (a) down, down from: Mat.8:32, Mrk.5:13, Luk.8:33, 1Co.11:4; (b) throughout (late usage; Bl, l.with): κ. ὅλης κ.τ.λ., Luk.4:14 23:5, Act.9:31 10:37; (with) in a peculiar adjectival phrase: ἡ κ. βάθους, deep or extreme poverty, 2Co.8:2. 2. C. genitive of person(s), usually in hostile sense; … |
| godliness | εὐσέβειαν | eusebeian | G2150 | pietyεὐσέβεια (eusebeia) εὐ-σέβεια, -ας, ἡ (εὐσεβής, which see), [in LXX: Pro.1:7, Isa.33:6 (יִרְאָה), Pro.13:11 (aliter in Heb.), Isa.11:2 (יְהוָֹה יִרְאָה), I Est.1:23, Wis.10:12, Sir.49:3, and very frequently in 4Mac ;] 1. piety, reverence (towards parents and others). 2. piety towards God, godliness: Act.3:12, 1Ti.2:2 4:7-8 6:5-6 6:11, 2Pe.1:3 1:6-7; τὸ τῆς εὐ. μυστήριον, 1Ti.3:16; ἡ κατ᾽ εὐ. διδασκαλία, 1Ti.6:3; ἡ ἀλήθεια ἡ κατ᾽ εὐ., Tit.1:1; μόρφωσις εὐσεβείας, 2Ti.3:5; pl. (see Bl., § 32, 6; Mayor on Jas.2:1), 2Pe.3:11 (on the use of εὐ. and cognates in Past. Epp., see CGT, on 1Ti.2:2; cf. also Cremer, 524).† … |
| teaching, | διδασκαλίᾳ, | didaskalia | G1319 | teachingδιδασκαλία (didaskalia) διδασκαλία, -ας, ἡ (διδάσκω), [in LXX: Pro.2:17 (אַלּוּף), Isa.29:13 (לָמַד), Sir.24:33 39:8 * ;] teaching, instruction, in both active and objective senses, most frequently the latter: Rom.12:7 15:4, Eph.4:14, 1Ti.4:6, 13, 16 5:17 6:1, 3, 2Ti.3:10 3:16, Tit.2:7, 10; ὑγιαινοῦσα δ., 1Ti.1:10, 2Ti.4:3, Tit.1:9 2:1; pl., δ. τ. ἀνθρώπων, Col.2:22; δ. δαιμονίων, 1Ti.4:1, δ. διδάσκειν, Mat.15:9, Mrk.7:7" (LXX) (Cremer, 182).† SYN.: διδαχή (AS) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.