The Pathology of a False Teacher (1 Timothy 6:3-5)

By Mark W. Christy, PhD

Paul, in 1 Timothy 6:3-5, offers his readers a profile of a heretic:

“If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain” (1 Timothy 6:3-5).

A false teacher is committed to his false doctrine which he proclaims to such an extent that he arrogantly holds to his wrong theology and refuses to agree with sound instruction. Such persons would be expected to spurn any and all attempts to lovingly and biblically rebuke and correct them in their error. Paul goes on to declare that a false teacher will prove unable to even understand sound teaching.

Instead of being focused on the truth and committed to it even in the case that they are found to be in error and need of correction, false teachers will further prove their identities by their persistence in sowing controversy and division instead of exemplifying the humility that comes from submission to God’s Word and the unity that would result from such humility. By sowing such division, one could fully expect the fruit of their ministry to include “envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction.” Their motivation in all of this according to Paul is their love of money.

In apparent agreement, John Macarthur ends his discussion on this passage in his commentary on 1 Timothy with the following summary: “The pathology of false teachers is clear. They deny the truth, and their teaching does not produce godly living. They are arrogant and ignorant of spiritual truth. They spend their time in foolish speculations that lead only to chaos and division. Having forsaken the truth, they face eternal destruction. And they serve money, not God. The church must take extreme care not to allow these men to spread their deadly disease. The resulting epidemic would be tragic.”