1. Accuser Opposes believers before God Rev. 12:10
1 TIMOTHY—NOTE ON 6:3 Paul identifies three characteristics of false teachers: 1) they teach "a different doctrine"—a different teaching that contradicts God's revelation in Scripture (see notes on Gal. 1:6–9); 2) they do "not agree with the sound words"—they do not accept sound, healthy teaching, specifically the teaching contained in Scripture (2 Pet. 3:16); and 3) they reject "teaching that accords with godliness"—teaching not based on Scripture will always result in an unholy life. Instead of godliness, false teachers will be marked by sin (see notes on 2 Pet. 2:10–22; cf. Jude 4, 8–16).
1 TIMOTHY—NOTE ON 6:4 controversy and for quarrels about words. "Controversy" refers to idle speculation; "quarrels about words" lit. means "word battles." Because proud, ignorant false teachers do not understand divine truth (2 Cor. 2:14), they obsess over terminology and attack the reliability and authority of Scripture. Every kind of strife is mentioned to indicate that false teachers produce nothing of benefit out of their fleshly, corrupt, and empty minds (1 Tim. 6:5).
1 TIMOTHY—NOTE ON 6:5 deprived of the truth. False teachers are in a state of apostasy; that is, although they once knew and seemed to embrace the truth, they turned to openly reject it. The Greek word for "deprived" means "to steal" or "to rob," and its form here indicates that someone or something was pulled away from contact with the truth (it does not mean they were ever saved; see note on 1:19; cf. 2 Tim. 2:18; 3:7–8; Heb. 6:4–6; 2 Pet. 2:1, 4–9). a means of gain. Almost always behind all the efforts of the hypocritical, lying (1 Tim. 4:2) false teachers is the driving motivation of monetary gain (cf. Acts 8:18–23; 2 Pet. 2:15).
1 TIMOTHY—NOTE ON 6:6 contentment. This Greek word means "selfsufficiency," and was used by Stoic philosophers to describe a person who was unflappable and unmoved by external circumstances. Christians are to be satisfied and sufficient, and not to seek for more than what God has already given them. He is the source of true contentment (2 Cor. 3:5; 9:8; Phil. 4:11–13, 19).
Names of Satan
Names of Satan 1. Accuser Opposes believers before God Rev. 12:10