TRV
Translation
King James Version
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;
Complete Jewish Bible
If anyone teaches differently and does not agree to the sound precepts of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah and to the doctrine that is in keeping with godliness,
Berean Standard Bible
If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching,
American Standard Version
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;
World English Bible Messianic
If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness,
Geneva Bible (1599)
If any man teach otherwise, and consenteth not to the wholesome wordes of our Lord Iesus Christ, and to the doctrine, which is according to godlinesse,
Young's Literal Translation
if any one be teaching otherwise, and do not consent to sound words--those of our Lord Jesus Christ--and to the teaching according to piety,
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 29,792 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Timothy 6 verses 1–5
1 ¶ Let 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.
2 And 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.
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;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
I. Here is the duty of servants. The apostle had spoken before of church-relations, here of our family-relations. Servants are here said to be under the yoke, which denotes both subjection and labour; they are yoked to work, not to be idle. If Christianity finds servants under the yoke, it continues them under it; for the gospel does not cancel the obligations any lie under either by the law of nature or by mutual consent. They must respect their masters, count them worthy of all honour (because they are their masters), of all the respect, observance, compliance, and obedience, that are justly expected from servants to their masters. Not that they were to think that of them which they were not; but as their masters they must count them worthy of all that honour which was fit for them to receive, that the name of God be not blasphemed. If servants that embraced the Christian religion should grow insolent and disobedient to their masters, the doctrine of Christ would be reflected on for their sakes, as if it had made men worse livers than they had been before they received the gospel. Observe, If the professors of religion misbehave themselves, the name of God and his doctrine are in danger of being blasphemed by those who seek occasion to speak evil of that worthy name by which we are called. And this is a good reason why we should all conduct ourselves well, that we may prevent the occasion which many seek, and will be very apt to lay hold of, to speak ill of religion for our sakes. Or suppose the master were a Christian, and a believer, and the servant a believer too, would not this excuse him, because in Christ there is neither bond nor free? No, by no means, for Jesus Christ did not come to dissolve the bond of civil relation, but to strengthen it: Those that have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren; for this brotherhood relates only to spiritual privileges, not to any outward dignity or advantage (those misunderstood and abuse their religion who make it a pretence for denying the duties that they owe to their relations); nay, rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved. They must think themselves the more obliged to serve them because the faith and love that bespeak men Christians oblige them to do good; and that is all wherein their service consists. Observe, It is a great encouragement to us in doing our duty to our relations if we have reason to think they are faithful and beloved, and partakers of the benefit, that is, of the benefit of Christianity. Again, Believing masters and servants are brethren, and partakers of the benefit; for in Christ Jesus there is neither bond nor free, for you are all one in Christ Jesus, Gal 3:28. Timothy is appointed to teach and exhort these things. Ministers must preach not only the general duties of all, but the duties of particular relations.
II. Paul here warns Timothy to withdraw from those who corrupted the doctrine of Christ, and made it the subject off strife, debate, and controversy: If any man teach otherwise (Ti1 6:3-5), do not preach practically, do not teach and exhort that which is for the promoting of serious godliness - if he will not consent to wholesome words, words that have a direct tendency to heal the soul - if he will not consent to these, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Observe, We are not required to consent to any words as wholesome words except the words of our Lord Jesus Christ; but to those we must give our unfeigned assent and consent, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness. Observe, The doctrine of our Lord Jesus is a doctrine according to godliness; it has a direct tendency to make people godly. But he that does not consent to the words of Christ is proud (Ti1 6:4) and contentious, ignorant, and does a great deal of mischief to the church, knowing nothing. Observe, Commonly those are most proud who know least; for with all their knowledge they do not know themselves. - But doting about questions. Those who fall off from the plain practical doctrines of Christianity fall in with controversies, which eat out the life and power of religion; they dote about questions and strifes of words, which do a great deal of mischief in the church, are the occasion of envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings. When men are not content with the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to godliness, but will frame notions of their own and impose them, and that too in their own words, which man's wisdom teaches, and not in the words which the Holy Ghost teaches (Co1 2:13), they sow the seeds of all mischief in the church. Hence come perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds (Ti1 6:5), disputes that are all subtlety, and no solidity. Observe, Men of corrupt minds are destitute of the truth. The reason why men's minds are corrupt is because they do not stick to the truth as it is in Jesus: supposing that gain is godliness, making religion truckle to their secular interest. From such as these Timothy is warned to withdraw himself. We observe, 1. The words of our Lord Jesus Christ are wholesome words, they are the fittest to prevent or heal the church's wounds, as well as to heal a wounded conscience; for Christ has the tongue of the learned, to speak a word in season to him that is weary, Isa 50:4. The words of Christ are the best to prevent ruptures in the church; for none who profess faith in him will dispute the aptness or authority of his words who is their Lord and teacher, and it has never gone well with the church since the words of men have claimed a regard equal to his words, and in some cases a much greater. 2. Whoever teaches otherwise, and does not consent to these wholesome words, he is proud, knowing nothing; for pride and ignorance commonly go together. 3. Paul sets a brand only on those who consent not to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to godliness; they are proud, knowing nothing: other words more wholesome he knew not. 4. We learn the sad effects of doting about questions and strifes of words; of such doting about questions comes envy, strife, evil surmisings, and perverse disputings; when men leave the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, they will never agree in other words, either of their own or other men's invention, but will perpetually wrangle and quarrel about them; and this will produce envy, when they see the words of others preferred to those they have adopted for their own; and this will be attended with jealousies and suspicions of one another, called here evil surmisings; then they will proceed to perverse disputings. 5. Such persons as are given to perverse disputings appear to be men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth; especially such as act in this manner for the sake of gain, which is all their godliness, supposing gain to be godliness, contrary to the apostle's judgment, who reckoned godliness great gain. 6. Good ministers and Christians will withdraw themselves from such. "Come out from among them, my people, and be ye separate," says the Lord: from such withdraw thyself.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–5. Public domain.
Copy as
Ignatius of AntiochAD 108
Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp
Let not those who seem worthy of credit, but teach strange doctrines, fill thee with apprehension. Stand firm, as does an anvil which is beaten. It is the part of a noble athlete to be wounded, and yet to conquer. And especially, we ought to bear all things for the sake of God, that He also may bear with us. Be ever becoming more zealous than what thou art. Weigh carefully the times. Look for Him who is above all time, eternal and invisible, yet who became visible for our sakes; impalpable and impassible, yet who became passible on our account; and who in every kind of way suffered for our sakes.
Clement of AlexandriaAD 215
The Stromata Book 1
With reason, therefore, the noble apostle, depreciating these superfluous arts occupied about words, says, "If any man do not give heed to wholesome words, but is puffed up by a kind of teaching, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh contention, envy, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, destitute of the truth."
TertullianAD 220
The Prescription Against Heretics
I might be thought to have laid down this position to remedy distrust in my case, or from a desire of entering on the contest in some other way, were there not reasons on my side, especially this, that our faith owes deference to the apostle, who forbids us to enter on "questions," or to lend our ears to new-fangled statements, or to consort with a heretic "after the first and second admonition," not, (be it observed, ) after discussion.
CyprianAD 258
Epistle XXXIX
The apostle instructs us, saying, "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ and His doctrine, he is lifted up with foolishness: from such withdraw thyself.".
Mindful of which precept, the blessed Apostle Paul himself also warns and instructs, saying, "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to His doctrine, he is proud, knowing nothing: from such withdraw thyself."
Alexander of AlexandriaAD 328
And also, "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing"
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on 1 Timothy 17
"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, he is proud, knowing nothing." Presumption therefore arises not from knowledge, but from "knowing nothing." For he that knows the doctrines of godliness is also the most disposed to moderation. He who knows sound words, is not unsound. For what inflammation is in the body, that pride is in the soul. And as we do not in the first case say that the inflamed part is sound, so neither do we here consider the arrogant. It is possible then to be knowing, and yet to know nothing. For he that knows not what he ought to know, knows nothing. And that pride arises from knowing nothing is manifest from hence. Christ "made Himself of no reputation," he therefore who knows this will not be high-minded. Man hath nothing except from God, therefore he will not be high-minded. "For what hast thou that thou didst not receive?" He washed the feet of His disciples, how can he who knows this be setting himself up? Therefore He says, "When ye have done all, say we are unprofitable servants." The publican was accepted only from his humility, the Pharisee perished by his boastfulness. He who is puffed up knoweth none of these things. Again, Christ Himself says, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou me?"
OecumeniusAD 990
COMMENTARY ON 1 TIMOTHY
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the teaching that accords with godliness, he is inflated with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, strife, blasphamies, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are immoral in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. Depart from such people.
If anyone teaches otherwise: that is, one different from what is right.
and to the teaching that accords with godliness. Paule said, "They are sound words," and he says, "And with the teaching accords with godliness," evidently concerning faith.
he is inflated with conceit and understands nothing. For he who does not know what he ought to know, knows nothing. But he who does not know the sound things, obviously knows the demonic things. Moreover, arrogance is a matter welcoming and proper to demons.
an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels. For if you do not believe, but craving for controversy, there must be debate and conflicts of reasoning. Since Christianity promises future things, and these cannot be shown to the eyes, faith is necessary. But see that to crave controversy is to be ill.
blasphemies. For it is necessary that human reasoning permit what pertains to God, and that blasphemy arises from questioning.
evil suspicions. These are opinions and contaminated doctrines.
friction. The transmission of the disease of bad doctrines, from the contact of miserable sheep. For those who come into contact are filled with the disease, along with the healthy ones.
imagining that godliness is a means of gain. Do you know that even battles of words produce shameful profit? It is no wonder, for those who contend with words attract more students, making a profit from them, whether monetary gain. They pretend virtue in order to amass wealth through it.
Depart from such people. Paul did not say, "Join with such men and fight," but "depart," after one and then a second warning. For how will you ever be able to persuade men fighting for money? Therefore, since they are persistent, turn away from them.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying 1 Timothy 6:3 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
1 Timothy 6:3 issues a profound warning against any teaching that deviates from the established truths of the Christian faith. It underscores the non-negotiable authority of the very words of Jesus Christ and insists that all true doctrine must inherently lead to a life characterized by genuine godliness. This verse serves as a critical standard for discerning authentic spiritual instruction from harmful falsehoods, emphasizing the vital connection between sound belief and righteous living.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices. Contrast is prominent, setting up a clear dichotomy between those who "teach otherwise" and those who adhere to "wholesome words" and "doctrine which is according to godliness." This highlights the stark choice between truth and error. The phrase "wholesome words" utilizes Imagery or Metaphor, drawing on the concept of physical health to describe spiritual well-being. Just as healthy food nourishes the body, sound doctrine nourishes the soul, leading to spiritual vitality. Conversely, false teaching is implied to be spiritually unhealthy or even poisonous. There is also an element of Emphasis through parallelism, as "the words of our Lord Jesus Christ" and "the doctrine which is according to godliness" are presented as two sides of the same indispensable coin, reinforcing the dual nature of true Christian teaching: its divine origin and its transformative outcome.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Timothy 6:3 profoundly connects to the broader biblical emphasis on the nature of truth, the authority of divine revelation, and the transformative power of God's Word. The "words of our Lord Jesus Christ" are not merely human pronouncements but divine truth, embodying the very character and will of God. This verse asserts that fidelity to Christ's teachings is paramount for the health and integrity of the church, reflecting a consistent biblical theme that God's people are called to walk in truth and righteousness. The linkage between "doctrine" and "godliness" underscores that Christian faith is never purely intellectual; it is always practical, shaping one's life to reflect the holiness of God. Rejecting sound doctrine is not a neutral act; it leads to spiritual sickness and ungodly living, demonstrating a departure from the very essence of what it means to follow Christ.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Timothy 6:3 serves as a timeless compass for believers in navigating the vast landscape of spiritual teaching. It calls us to cultivate a profound discernment, not merely accepting every idea presented as "truth," but rigorously testing it against the unchanging standard of God's Word, particularly the teachings and character of Jesus Christ. This verse challenges us to consider not only the intellectual coherence of a doctrine but, more importantly, its practical fruit in our lives. Does it foster genuine godliness—a deeper reverence for God, a greater love for others, and a more Christ-like character? If a teaching, no matter how appealing, fails to produce this spiritual health and moral transformation, it falls short of the "wholesome words" Paul describes. For those who teach, this verse is a solemn reminder of the immense responsibility to faithfully steward the truth of the Gospel, ensuring that every word proclaimed is both biblically sound and spiritually nourishing, leading hearers into a deeper walk with God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean to "teach otherwise"?
Answer: To "teach otherwise" (Greek: heterodidaskaléō) means to propagate doctrines that deviate from or are contrary to the established, apostolic teaching of the Christian faith. It refers to introducing novel, foreign, or unbiblical ideas that are not in harmony with the foundational truths revealed by Christ and passed down through His apostles. This is distinct from minor differences in interpretation; it implies a fundamental departure from orthodoxy, often leading to spiritual error or ungodly living.
Why are "wholesome words" important?
Answer: "Wholesome words" (Greek: hygiaínō logois) are crucial because they are spiritually healthy, nourishing, and life-giving. Just as healthy food sustains the physical body, sound doctrine sustains the spiritual life, promoting spiritual well-being, integrity, and growth. Conversely, unwholesome or unsound teachings are spiritually damaging, leading to sickness, confusion, and deviation from the path of righteousness. Paul emphasizes that true teaching builds up and preserves the spiritual health of believers and the church.
How does "doctrine" relate to "godliness"?
Answer: According to 1 Timothy 6:3, true "doctrine" is intrinsically linked to "godliness" (Greek: eusébeia). This means that authentic Christian teaching is not merely an intellectual exercise or a set of abstract propositions; it has a profound moral and practical outcome. Doctrine "according to godliness" is teaching that cultivates a life of reverence, devotion, and obedience to God. It transforms one's character, actions, and priorities, leading to a life that reflects the holiness and righteousness of God. If a doctrine does not lead to increased godliness, it is suspect, as true faith always impacts conduct.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Timothy 6:3 finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is not merely the subject of "wholesome words" but the very embodiment of them, for He Himself is the Word made flesh (John 1:14). His words are not just sound, but "spirit and life" (John 6:63), possessing the power to bring spiritual health and eternal life. The "doctrine which is according to godliness" is perfectly exemplified in Christ, who lived a life of perfect piety and obedience to the Father, ultimately laying down His life as the supreme act of godliness and love (Philippians 2:5-8). Therefore, to "teach otherwise" is to deviate from Christ Himself, who is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). The Gospel message, centered on Christ's atoning death and glorious resurrection, is the most wholesome and godliness-producing doctrine, transforming believers into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18). Any teaching that diminishes Christ's authority, corrupts His message, or fails to lead to Christ-like character is fundamentally at odds with the divine standard set forth in this verse.