1 Timothy 6:4
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
Original Language Analysis
τετύφωται
He is proud
G5187
τετύφωται
He is proud
Strong's:
G5187
Word #:
1 of 17
to envelop with smoke, i.e., (figuratively) to inflate with self-conceit
ἐπιστάμενος
knowing
G1987
ἐπιστάμενος
knowing
Strong's:
G1987
Word #:
3 of 17
to put the mind upon, i.e., comprehend, or be acquainted with
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
νοσῶν
doting
G3552
νοσῶν
doting
Strong's:
G3552
Word #:
5 of 17
to be sick, i.e., (by implication, of a diseased appetite) to hanker after (figuratively, to harp upon)
περὶ
about
G4012
περὶ
about
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
ζητήσεις
questions
G2214
ζητήσεις
questions
Strong's:
G2214
Word #:
7 of 17
a searching (properly, the act), i.e., a dispute or its theme
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐξ
whereof
G1537
ἐξ
whereof
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
10 of 17
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
ὧν
G3739
ὧν
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
11 of 17
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
γίνεται
cometh
G1096
γίνεται
cometh
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
12 of 17
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
Cross References
2 Timothy 2:23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.1 Timothy 3:6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.2 Timothy 3:4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;2 Peter 2:12But 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 1:10But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.2 Timothy 2:14Of 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 2:18For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.1 Timothy 1:7Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.1 Timothy 1:4Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.Jude 1:16These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
Historical Context
The Greco-Roman world valued rhetoric, philosophical debate, and intellectual prowess. Some false teachers in Ephesus likely prided themselves on their sophistication—complex genealogies, elaborate myths, refined argumentation. Paul exposes their pretense: they're sick with pride, producing nothing but controversy and division. True wisdom produces peace and godliness (James 3:17-18).
Questions for Reflection
- How does intellectual pride ('knowing nothing') lead to obsession with controversies?
- What fruit distinguishes false teaching (strife, slander) from sound doctrine (love, peace)?
- How can churches avoid the trap of valuing intellectual sophistication over godly wisdom?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He is proud, knowing nothing (τετύφωται, μηδὲν ἐπιστάμενος, tetyphōtai, mēden epistamenos)—'he is puffed up with conceit, understanding nothing.' Typhoō means to be conceited, clouded with pride (used of elders in 3:6). Despite his arrogance, the false teacher knows nothing of real truth.
But doting about questions and strifes of words (ἀλλὰ νοσῶν περὶ ζητήσεις καὶ λογομαχίας, alla nosōn peri zētēseis kai logomachias)—'but having a morbid craving for controversies and quarrels about words.' Noseō means to be sick, diseased. Logomachia (only here in NT) means word-battles, semantic quarrels.
Whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings (ἐξ ὧν γίνεται φθόνος, ἔρις, βλασφημίαι, ὑπόνοιαι πονηραί, ex hōn ginetai phthonos, eris, blasphēmiai, hyponoiai ponērai)—from these come 'envy, strife, slander, evil suspicions.' False teaching produces relational poison, not godly love. The false teacher is intellectually sick, obsessed with disputes that breed division.