1 Timothy 6:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

Complete Jewish Bible:

he is swollen with conceit and understands nothing. Instead, he has a morbid desire for controversies and word-battles, out of which come jealousy, dissension, insults, evil suspicions,

Berean Standard Bible:

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,

American Standard Version:

he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

He is proud^{G5187}, knowing^{G1987} nothing^{G3367}, but^{G235} doting^{G3552} about^{G4012} questions^{G2214} and^{G2532} strifes of words^{G3055}, whereof^{G1537}^{G3739} cometh^{G1096} envy^{G5355}, strife^{G2054}, railings^{G988}, evil^{G4190} surmisings^{G5283},

Cross-References (KJV):

2 Timothy 2:23

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

2 Timothy 3:4

Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

1 Timothy 3:6

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

2 Timothy 2:14

¶ Of these things put [them] in remembrance, charging [them] before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, [but] to the subverting of the hearers.

2 Peter 2:12

But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

Jude 1:10

But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

1 Timothy 1:4

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: [so do].

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Commentary for 1 Timothy 6:4

1 Timothy 6:4 is part of the New Testament, specifically one of the Pastoral Epistles traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul. These letters were written to guide church leaders in the early Christian community. The verse is situated within a larger discussion on the dangers of false teachings and the love of money, which Paul identifies as a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10).

In verse 4, Paul describes an individual who is characterized by pride and a propensity for fruitless debates. The Greek term translated as "doting" suggests a person who is sick or obsessed with contentious arguments and verbal disputes about words. This behavior is not born out of a desire for truth or understanding but stems from a conceited attitude and ignorance. Paul is likely referring to certain individuals within the church who were causing divisions by focusing on trivial matters and engaging in speculative theology, rather than promoting sound doctrine and unity.

The historical context of the verse reflects the challenges faced by the early church, including the need to maintain doctrinal purity and communal harmony in the face of various heresies and philosophical influences that were infiltrating Christian congregations. Paul warns that such behavior leads to negative consequences such as envy, conflict, slander, and malicious suspicions, which undermine the church's witness and its internal peace.

In summary, 1 Timothy 6:4 addresses the issue of arrogant individuals within the church who engage in useless and divisive arguments, leading to a breakdown in community and spiritual health. Paul's admonition serves as a timeless reminder for Christians to avoid quarrels over trivial matters, to pursue love and peace, and to teach and uphold the true gospel.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G5187
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τυφόω
Transliteration: typhóō
Pronunciation: toof-o'-o
Description: from a derivative of τύφω; to envelop with smoke, i.e. (figuratively) to inflate with self-conceit:--high-minded, be lifted up with pride, be proud.
Strong's Number: G1987
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐπίσταμαι
Transliteration: epístamai
Pronunciation: ep-is'-tam-ahee
Description: apparently a middle voice of ἐφίστημι (with νοῦς implied); to put the mind upon, i.e. comprehend, or be acquainted with:--know, understand.
Strong's Number: G3367
There are 88 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μηδείς
Transliteration: mēdeís
Pronunciation: may-den'
Description: from μή and εἷς; not even one (man, woman, thing):--any (man, thing), no (man), none, not (at all, any man, a whit), nothing, + without delay.
Strong's Number: G235
There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀλλά
Transliteration: allá
Pronunciation: al-lah'
Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
Strong's Number: G3552
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: νοσέω
Transliteration: noséō
Pronunciation: nos-eh'-o
Description: from νόσος; to be sick, i.e. (by implication, of a diseased appetite) to hanker after (figuratively, to harp upon):--dote.
Strong's Number: G4012
There are 304 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: περί
Transliteration: perí
Pronunciation: per-ee'
Description: from the base of πέραν; properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period):--(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with. In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).
Strong's Number: G2214
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ζήτησις
Transliteration: zḗtēsis
Pronunciation: dzay'-tay-sis
Description: from ζητέω; a searching (properly, the act), i.e. a dispute or its theme:--question.
Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Strong's Number: G3055
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λογομαχία
Transliteration: logomachía
Pronunciation: log-om-akh-ee'-ah
Description: from the same as λογομαχέω; disputation about trifles ("logomachy"):--strife of words.
Strong's Number: G1537
There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκ
Transliteration: ek
Pronunciation: ex
Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
Strong's Number: G3739
There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅς
Transliteration: hós
Pronunciation: ho
Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
Strong's Number: G1096
There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γίνομαι
Transliteration: gínomai
Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
Strong's Number: G5355
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φθόνος
Transliteration: phthónos
Pronunciation: fthon'-os
Description: probably akin to the base of φθείρω; ill-will (as detraction), i.e. jealousy (spite):--envy.
Strong's Number: G2054
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔρις
Transliteration: éris
Pronunciation: er'-is
Description: of uncertain affinity; a quarrel, i.e. (by implication) wrangling:--contention, debate, strife, variance.
Strong's Number: G988
There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: βλασφημία
Transliteration: blasphēmía
Pronunciation: blas-fay-me'-ah
Description: from βλάσφημος; vilification (especially against God):--blasphemy, evil speaking, railing.
Strong's Number: G4190
There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πονηρός
Transliteration: ponērós
Pronunciation: pon-ay-ros'
Description: from a derivative of πόνος; hurtful, i.e. evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from κακός, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from σαπρός, which indicates degeneracy from original virtue); figuratively, calamitous; also (passively) ill, i.e. diseased; but especially (morally) culpable, i.e. derelict, vicious, facinorous; neuter (singular) mischief, malice, or (plural) guilt; masculine (singular) the devil, or (plural) sinners:--bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked(-ness). See also πονηρότερος.
Strong's Number: G5283
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑπόνοια
Transliteration: hypónoia
Pronunciation: hoop-on'-oy-ah
Description: from ὑπονοέω; suspicion:--surmising.

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