1 Timothy 6

1 Timothy · Chapter 6

1 Timothy 6:4

1Let 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.2And 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.3If 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;4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.6But godliness with contentment is great gain.7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;14That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:15Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:21Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

Paul has just told Timothy to teach and urge certain things. Verse 4 describes anyone who teaches otherwise and rejects the wholesome words of Jesus. Such a person is proud and knows nothing, and their love of arguments breeds envy, quarrels, slander and suspicion. 1 Timothy 6:21 Timothy 6:31 Timothy 6:4

SpeakingPaul the apostle, who names himself at the start of the letter. 1 Timothy overview

ToTimothy, Paul's younger co-worker, whom Paul left to lead the church at Ephesus. 1 Timothy overview

Also involvedThe false teachers who 'teach otherwise' and do not accept the words of Jesus or teaching that leads to godliness. Verse 5 tells Timothy to withdraw from them. 1 Timothy 6:31 Timothy 6:5

The verse gives a diagnosis of the false teacher. Such a person is puffed up with pride, understands nothing, and has an unhealthy craving for controversies and fights over words. Those fights produce envy, strife, slander and evil suspicions. 1 Timothy 6:4Strong's G5187Strong's G3552Strong's G3055

The letter was sent to Ephesus, a wealthy port city and capital of the Roman province of Asia. It was known for its temple of Artemis. Where Paul wrote from is not stated, though it may have been Macedonia. 1 Timothy overview

ACHAIAASIAGALATIAAegean SeaEphesusLaodiceaMiletusPhilippiThessalonicaCorinth

The eventsThe text does not tie this verse to a specific event. It belongs to Paul's closing section on false teachers, contentment and a final charge. 1 Timothy overview

WrittenTraditional: about AD 62-64, by Paul, between his Roman imprisonments. Scholarly: many critical scholars date it around AD 80-110 and think a follower wrote it in Paul's name. Others defend Paul's authorship and the earlier date. 1 Timothy overview

HerePaul wants Timothy to recognize false teachers by their character and by the fruit they produce. Then Timothy can withdraw from them and guard the true teaching. 1 Timothy 6:51 Timothy 6:201 Timothy overview

In the whole of ScriptureA key theme of the letter is that sound teaching produces godly living. Here bad teaching shows itself in pride and quarrels. The same concern appears earlier, where Paul warns of fables that 'minister questions, rather than godly edifying' (1 Timothy 1:4). 1 Timothy overview1 Timothy 1:41 Timothy 1:7

For readersThe verse invites readers to judge teaching by its fruit. Teaching that breeds envy, slander and suspicion is a warning sign. Paul gives Timothy similar advice to avoid foolish questions that 'gender strifes' (2 Timothy 2:23). 1 Timothy 6:42 Timothy 2:232 Timothy 2:14

  • proud (puffed up)τυφόω
    Greek · tuphoō · G5187

    The word literally means 'wrapped in smoke.' It pictures someone clouded and puffed up by conceit. The same word warns against making a new believer a leader (1 Timothy 3:6). Strong's G51871 Timothy 3:6

  • doting (being sick)νοσέω
    Greek · noseō · G3552

    The word means to be sick. Its opposite is the 'wholesome' (healthy) words of verse 3. Paul is picturing an unhealthy obsession with debate, not honest curiosity. Strong's G35521 Timothy 6:3

  • strifes of wordsλογομαχία
    Greek · logomachia · G3055

    The word means 'word-battles.' It refers to quarrels over terms that do not build anyone up. Strong's G30552 Timothy 2:14

  • railingsβλασφημία
    Greek · blasphēmia · G0988

    The word can mean blasphemy, but here it carries its broader sense of abusive slander against people. It names one of the bad fruits of quarrelsome teaching. Strong's G0988

Takeaway

This verse warns about teachers who reject the words of Jesus. Their pride and love of arguing about words produce envy, quarrels, slander and suspicion. It calls readers to judge teaching by whether it leads to godliness. 1 Timothy 6:31 Timothy 6:41 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
  1. AD 58-63
    WarRome 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

  2. AD 60
    DisasterEarthquake 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

  3. AD 60-61
    WarBoudica'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

  4. c. AD 60-62
    The 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

  5. c. AD 61-63
    DiscoveryNero'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

  6. AD 62
    The 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

  7. AD 62 or 63
    DisasterEarthquake 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

  8. c. AD 62
    DiscoveryHero 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

  9. c. AD 63-64
    BuildingJerusalem'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

  10. July AD 64
    DisasterThe 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

  11. AD 64
    The 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

  12. AD 65
    RulersA 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

  13. AD 66
    WarThe 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

  14. AD 66-67
    BuildingNero 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

  15. c. AD 67
    The 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

  16. June AD 68
    RulersNero 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

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
he has been puffed upτετύφωταιtetuphōtaiG5187
be conceited

τυφόω (tuphoō) τυφόω, -ῶ (τῦφος, smoke; metaphorically, conceit), prop., to wrap in smoke; used only metaphorically, to puff up, becloud with pride: pass., 1Ti.3:6 6:4, 2Ti.3:4 (Dem., Arist., al.).† (AS)

nothingμηδὲνmēdenG3367
nothing

μηδείς (mēdeis) μηδείς, -δεμία, -δέν (and -θέν, Act.27:33, a Hellenistic form; see Bl., 6, 7; Thackeray, Gr., 58) related to οὐδείς as μή to οὐ, no, none, no one; neut., nothing: Mat.16:20, Mrk.5:43 6:8, Luk.3:14, Act.8:24, Rom.13:8, al.; with genitive, Act.4:17 24:23; neut. accusative, μηδέν, adverbially, in no respect, Act.10:20 11:12; as accusative obj. after verb, βλάπτειν, Luk.4:35; ὠφελεῖσθαι, Mrk.5:26; ὑστερεῖν, 2Co.11:5; μεριμνᾶν, Php.4:6; in double negation, strengthening the denial, μηκέτι μ., Mrk.11:14, Act.4:17; μὴ . . . μηδέν (μηδένα, μηδεμίαν), 2Co.13:7, 2Th.2:3, 1Pe.3:6 μηθείς, see. μηδείς …

knowingἐπιστάμενοςepistamenosG1987
to know/understand

ἐπίσταμαι (epistamai) ἐπίσταμαι (prob. an old mid, of ἐφίστημι, which see), [in LXX chiefly for יָדַע ;] to know, know of, understand: with accusative of person(s), Act.19:15; with ptcp., Act.24:10; with accusative of thing(s), Mrk.14:68, Act.18:25, 1Ti.6:4, Jas.4:14, Ju 10; before περί, Act.26:26; ὅτι, Act.15:7 19:25 22:19; ὡς, Act.10:28; πῶς, Act.20:18; ποῦ, Heb.11:8.† SYN: γινώσκω (which see), οἶδα (AS)

butἀλλὰallaG0235
but

ἀλλά (alla) ἀλλά (ἀλλ᾽ usually bef. α and υ, often bef. ε and η, rarely bef. ο and ω, never bef. ι; Tdf., Pr., 93 f.; WH, App., 146), adversative particle, stronger than δέ; prop. neuter pl. of ἄλλος, used adverbially, with changed accent; hence prop. otherwise, on the other hand (cf. Rom.3:31); …

unhealthyνοσῶνnosōnG3552
be sick

νοσέω (noseō) νοσέω, -ῶ (νόσος), [in LXX (metaphorically): Wis.17:8 * ;] to be sick: metaphorically, of mental ailment, before περί, 1Ti.6:4 (cf. Plat., Mor., 546 d).† (AS)

aboutπερὶperiG4012
about

περί (peri) περί, prep. with genitive, accusative (in cl. also with dative; cf. M, Pr., 105f.), with radical sense round about (as distinct from ἀμφί, on both sides). I. C. genitive, 1. of place, about (poët.). …

controversiesζητήσειςzētēseisG2214
controversy

ζήτησις (zētēsis) ζήτησις, -εως, ἡ (ζητέω). 1. a seeking, search. 2. a questioning, inquiry, debate: Act.15:2, 7, 2Ti.2:23, Tit.3:9; before περί, Jhn.3:26, Act.25:20, 1Ti.6:4.† (AS)

andκαὶkaiG2532
and

καί (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. …

disputes about words,λογομαχίας,logomachiasG3055
quarrel

λογομαχία (logomachia) λογομαχία, -ας, ἡ (λογομαχέω), a strife of words: pl., 1Ti.6:4.† (AS)

out ofἐξexG1537
out from

ἐκ (ek) ἐκ (ἐξ), prep. with genitive, from out of, from (see Addendum, p. 492). This entry is included here, but in the print version the entry is found on p. 492. ἐκ, before a vowel ἐξ, prep. with genitive, of motion outwards, separation from (opposite to εἰς; = Lat. e, ex), from out of, from among, from. I. Of Place, …

whichὧνhōnG3739
which

ὅς (hos, hē) ὅς, ἥ, ὅ, the postpositive article (ἄρθρον ὑποτακτικόν). I. As demonstr. pron. = οὗτος, ὅδε, this, that, also for αὐτός, chiefly in nom.: ὅς δέ, but he (cf. ἦ δὲ ὅς, frequently in Plat.), Mrk.15:23, Jhn.5:11; ὃς μὲν . . . ὃς δέ, the one . . . the other, Mat.21:35, 22:5, 25:15, Luk.23:33, Act.27:14, Rom.14:5, 1Co.11:21, 2Co.2:18, Ju 22; neut., ὃ μὲν . . . ὃ δέ, the one . . . the other, some . . . some, Mat.13:8, 23, Rom.9:21; ὃς (ὃ) μὲν . . . (ἄλλος (ἄλλο)) . . . ἕτερος, Mrk.4:4, Luk.8:5, 1Co.12:8-10; οὓς μέν, absol., 1Co.12:28; ὃς μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, Rom.14:2. …

comeγίνεταιginetaiG1096
to be

γίνομαι (ginomai) γίνομαι, Ion. and κοινή for Att. γίγν- (M. Pr., 47; Bl., §6, 8 Mayser, 166 f.), [in LXX chiefly for היה ;] 1. of persons, things occurrences, to come into being, be born, arise, come on: Jhn.1:15 8:58, 1Co.15:37; a first appearance in public, Mrk.1:4, Jhn.1:6, al.; before ἐκ (of birth), Rom.1:3, Gal.4:4; διά, Jhn.1:3; βροντή, Jhn.12:29; σεισμός, Rev.6:12; γογγυσμός, Act.6:1; χαρά, Act.8:8, many other similar exx.; ἡμέρα, Luk.22:66, al.; ὀψέ, Mrk.11:19; πρωΐα, Mat.27:1; νύξ, Act.27:27. …

envy,φθόνος,phthonosG5355
envy

φθόνος (phthonos) φθόνος, -ου, ὁ [in LXX: Wis.2:24 6:23, 1Ma.8:16, 3Ma.6:7 * ;] envy: Rom.1:29, Gal.5:21, 1Ti.6:4, Tit.3:3, 1Pe.2:1; διὰ φθόνον, Mat.27:18, Mrk.15:10, Php.1:15; πρὸς φθόνον ἐπιποθεῖ τ. πνεῦμα (on the meaning, see R, txt., mg. 1, 2; Hort, Ja., 93 f.), Jas.4:5.† (AS)

strife,ἔρις,erisG2054
quarrel

ἔρις (eris) ἔρις, -ιδος accusative, ἔριν (on the declension, see B1., § 8, 3; WH, App., 157), ἡ, [in LXX: Psa.139:20, Sir.28:11 40:5, 9 * ;] strife, wrangling, contention: Rom.1:29 13:13, 1Co.3:3, 2Co.12:20, Gal.5:20, Php.1:15, 1Ti.6:4, Tit.3:9; pl. (see: ἐριθία), Rom.13:13, WH, mg., 1Co.1:11, Ga, l.with, WH, mg.† (AS)

slander,βλασφημίαι,blasphēmiaiG0988
blasphemy

βλασφημία (blasphēmia) βλασφημία, -ας, ἡ (βλάσφημος), [in LXX: Eze.35:12 (נֶאָצָה), Da TH 3:29 (96) (שׁלה), Tob.1:18, 1Ma.2:6, 2Ma.8:4 10:35 15:24 * ;] (a) railing slander: Mat.12:31 15:19, Mrk.3:28 7:22, Eph.4:31, Col.3:8, 1Ti.6:4, Ju 9, Rev.2:9 (b) spec., impious speech against God, blasphemy: Mat.26:65, Mrk.14:64, Luk.5:21, Jhn.10:33, Rev.13:5; ὄνομα βλασφημίας, Rev.13:1 17:3; with genitive obj. Mat.12:31; πρὸς τ. θεόν, Rev.13:6 (Cremer, 570; DB, i, 305; DCG ii, 423).† (AS)

suspicionsὑπόνοιαιhuponoiaiG5283
suspicion

ὑπόνοια (huponoia) ὑπόνοια, -ας, ἡ (ὑπονοέω), [in LXX: Dan LXX 4:16, 32 5:6 (רַעְיוֹן), Sir 3:34* ;] a suspicion: 1Ti.6:4.† (AS)

evil,πονηραί,ponēraiG4190
evil/bad

πονηρός (ponēros) πονηρός, -ά, -όν (πονέω, to toil), [in LXX chiefly for רַע ;] 1. (a) of persons, oppressed by toils (Hes.); (b) of things, toilsome, painful (καιρός, Sir.51:12): Eph.5:16 6:13 Rev.16:2. 2. bad, worthless; (a) in physical sense: καρπός, Mat.7:17-18; (b) in ethical sense, bad, evil, wicked; …

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.