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No.9.
6: 1 - 16.
pp. 41 - 45
At the beginning of chapter 6:, the Apostle Paul turns from instructions that affect
the local church to those touching the household. The relationship of believing slaves to
Christian, or unbelieving masters raised problems. If a slave worked for a truly saved
master, he should count this a privilege and not lose his respect for such a master because
he had become a brother in Christ:
"Let as many as are servants (slaves) under the yoke count their own masters worthy
of all honour, that the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed. And 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" (I Tim. 6: 1, 2, R.V.).
The overriding consideration was the effect their conduct would have on Christian
witness as a whole. The `benefit' that would accrue could apply to either master of
servant in the increased goodwill on both sides.
The Apostles now reverts once more to the false teachers:
"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; he is
puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings, and disputes of words,
whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, wranglings of men corrupted in
mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain" (6: 3-5, R.V.).
"Those who teach a different doctrine" are referred to in 1: 3 and heterodidaskaleo is
used in both contexts. The `sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ' are
descriptive of the `good deposit' of truth which Paul had received from the ascended
Lord Jesus and had passed on to Timothy (6: 20; II Tim. 1: 12, 13; 2: 2). This is the
`doctrine' of the Pastoral Epistles around which these epistles revolve in its proclamation
and practice.
It is unlikely to refer to the Gospel records of the Lord's earthly ministry which did
not embrace the truth of the Mystery or the heavenly calling of the Body of Christ. It is
not even certain that they were in circulation at this time.
Paul's prison ministry formed the pattern ("form of sound words") to which all
teaching must conform. Those who refused to do this left a trail of havoc behind them.
The N.I.V. renders these verses:
"He (the false teacher) is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy
interest in controversies and arguments that result in envy, quarrelling, malicious talk,
evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed
of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain."