1 Timothy 6:3
What does 1 Timothy 6:3 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 6:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 6:3 means
Paul draws a doctrinal line: anyone who teaches a different message and refuses the “sound words” of “our Lord Jesus Christ,” and the teaching that accords with godliness, is not to be followed. Christ’s words are the touchstone, and true doctrine promotes a life that pleases God. Error is not merely an alternative viewpoint; it is a turning away from health to disease. When a teacher resists the wholesome instruction handed down from Jesus and His apostles, the result is neither holiness nor love but spiritual decay. The church must therefore measure teaching by Christ’s standard and by its fruit in godliness, holding fast to what soundly nourishes the soul.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If 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;
KJV
King James Version · 1611If 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;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If 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;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If any man gives different teaching, not in agreement with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the teaching which is in agreement with true religion,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862if 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,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If any man teach otherwise and consent not to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to that doctrine which is according to godliness,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If any one teach differently, and do not accede to sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the teaching which [is] according to piety,
Context
After addressing servants’ conduct (verses 1–2), Paul moves to the heart of his concern in Ephesus: deviant teaching. Verse 3 states the test—alignment with Christ’s words and with godliness. Verses 4–5 will describe the character and effects of false teaching: pride, quarrels, suspicion, and a mercenary spirit. This background explains the next section (verses 6–10), where Paul exposes the love of money and commends contentment as the true spiritual “gain.” Thus behavior, doctrine, and motives are woven tightly together in Paul’s argument.
v.2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but let them serve them the rather, because they that partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. These things teach and exhort.
v.3This passage
v.4he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Timothy 1:3
As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine,
- Matthew 28:20
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
- 2 Timothy 1:13
Hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
- Titus 1:1
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,
- Matthew 22:21
They say unto him, Cæsar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
- Titus 3:8
Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that thou affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men:
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