1 Timothy 6:4 he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,

◄ 1 Timothy 6:4 ►

New International Version
they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions

New Living Translation
Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions.

English Standard Version
he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,

Berean Standard Bible
he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and disputes about words, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,

Berean Literal Bible
he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but unhealthy about controversies and disputes about words, out of which come envy, strife, slander, evil suspicions,

King James Bible
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

New King James Version
he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,

New American Standard Bible
he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a sick craving for controversial questions and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,

NASB 1995
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,

NASB 1977
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,

Legacy Standard Bible
he is conceited, understanding nothing but having a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, slander, evil suspicions,

Amplified Bible
he is conceited and woefully ignorant [understanding nothing]. He has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, which produces envy, quarrels, verbal abuse, evil suspicions,

Christian Standard Bible
he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
he is conceited, understanding nothing, but has a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions,

American Standard Version
he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

Contemporary English Version
Those people who disagree are proud of themselves, but they don't really know a thing. Their minds are sick, and they like to argue over words. They cause jealousy, disagreements, unkind words, evil suspicions,

English Revised Version
he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
is a conceited person. He shows that he doesn't understand anything. Rather, he has an unhealthy desire to argue and quarrel about words. This produces jealousy, rivalry, cursing, suspicion,

Good News Translation
is swollen with pride and knows nothing. He has an unhealthy desire to argue and quarrel about words, and this brings on jealousy, disputes, insults, evil suspicions,

International Standard Version
he is a conceited person and does not understand anything. He has an unhealthy craving for arguments and debates. This produces jealousy, rivalry, slander, evil suspicions,

Majority Standard Bible
he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and disputes about words, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,

NET Bible
he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in controversies and verbal disputes. This gives rise to envy, dissension, slanders, evil suspicions,

New Heart English Bible
he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,

Webster's Bible Translation
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, from which cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

Weymouth New Testament
he is puffed up with pride and has no true knowledge, but is crazy over discussions and controversies about words which give rise to envy, quarrelling, revilings, ill-natured suspicions,

World English Bible
he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions,

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
he is proud, knowing nothing, but unhealthy about questions and word-striving, out of which come envy, strife, slanders, evil-surmisings,

Berean Literal Bible
he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but unhealthy about controversies and disputes about words, out of which come envy, strife, slander, evil suspicions,

Young's Literal Translation
he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and word-striving, out of which doth come envy, strife, evil-speakings, evil-surmisings,

Smith's Literal Translation
He has been proud, knowing nothing, but sick about questions and disputes of words, of which is envy, strife, slanders, evil conjectures,

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
He is proud, knowing nothing, but sick about questions and strifes of words; from which arise envies, contentions, blasphemies, evil suspicions,

Catholic Public Domain Version
then he is arrogant, knowing nothing, yet languishing amid the questions and quarrels of words. From these arise envy, contention, blasphemy, evil suspicions:

New American Bible
is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes. From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions,

New Revised Standard Version
is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words. From these come envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions,

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
He is proud, knowing nothing, and dotes on an argument and quarrels on the use of a word and this is the cause of envy and controversy and blasphemy and evil premeditation,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
This one is lifted up as he knows nothing, but he is ineffective in disputes and debates of words, from which come envy, contention and blasphemy, and establishes evil thoughts,

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
he is mad with conceit, knowing nothing, but has a morbid fondness for questions and contentions about words, out of which come envy, strife, railing, evil suspicions,

Godbey New Testament
he has been inflated, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and controversies, from which come envy, strife, blasphemies, evil surmisings,

Haweis New Testament
he is conceited, knowing nothing, but delirious with disputes and quarrels about words, from whence come wrath, contentions, evil speakings, wrong suspicions,

Mace New Testament
he is full of pride and ignorance, touch'd with a spirit of chicanery and wrangling, productive of envy, contention, calumny,

Weymouth New Testament
he is puffed up with pride and has no true knowledge, but is crazy over discussions and controversies about words which give rise to envy, quarrelling, revilings, ill-natured suspicions,

Worrell New Testament
he has become puffed up, knowing nothing, but morbid about questions and word-battles, out of which come envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

Worsley New Testament
he is proud, knowing nothing, but is delirious about questions and strifes of words: from which cometh envy, contention, calumnies, wicked suspicions, perverse debates of men corrupted in mind,

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Reject False Doctrines
3If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions, 5and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

James 3:14-16
But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. / Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. / For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.

2 Timothy 2:23
But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.

Titus 3:9
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.

1 Corinthians 3:3
for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?

2 Corinthians 12:20
For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.

Romans 1:29-31
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. / They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless.

Colossians 2:18
Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind.

1 Corinthians 8:1
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

Proverbs 13:10
Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.

Proverbs 17:19
He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction.

Proverbs 18:6-7
A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. / A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Proverbs 26:21
Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Ecclesiastes 10:13
The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.

Treasury of Scripture

He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

He.

1 Timothy 1:7
Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

1 Timothy 3:6
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Proverbs 13:7
There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

proud.

1 Timothy 1:4
Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

2 Timothy 2:23
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

words.

Isaiah 58:4
Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

Acts 15:2
When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

Romans 2:8
But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

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Abusive Arguments Arise Battles Conceit Conceited Controversies Controversy Craving Crazy Discussions Disputes Dissension Doting Envy Evil Ill-Natured Interest Language Malicious Opinion Over-High Pride Produce Proud Puffed Quarrelling Quarrels Questions Railings Result Reviling Revilings Rise Slander Strife Strifes Talk True. Understands Whereof Word Words

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1 Timothy 6

1. Of the duty of servants.
3. Not to have fellowship with newfangled teachers.
6. Godliness is great gain;
10. and love of money the root of all evil.
11. What Timothy is to flee, and what to follow.
17. and whereof to admonish the rich.
20. To keep the purity of true doctrine, and to avoid godless ideas.

Berean Study Bible

He is conceited
The Greek word used here is "τυφόω" (tuphoō), which means to be puffed up or enveloped in smoke, suggesting a state of delusion or self-deception. In the context of 1 Timothy, Paul warns against those who are filled with pride, a sin that leads to a distorted view of oneself and one's importance. This pride is often rooted in a lack of true understanding and a failure to recognize one's dependence on God. Historically, pride has been seen as the root of many other sins, as it places the self above God and others.

and understands nothing
The phrase underscores the spiritual blindness that accompanies pride. The Greek "μηδὲν ἐπιστάμενος" (mēden epistamenos) implies a complete lack of true knowledge or insight. In the biblical context, true understanding comes from a relationship with God and a humble heart. This phrase serves as a stark reminder that intellectual knowledge without spiritual wisdom is ultimately empty.

He has an unhealthy interest
The Greek term "νοσέω" (noseō) is used here, which can be translated as "to be sick" or "to have a morbid craving." This suggests an obsession or fixation that is detrimental to one's spiritual health. In the historical context of the early church, such unhealthy interests often led to divisions and false teachings, as individuals pursued their own agendas rather than the truth of the Gospel.

in controversies and semantics
The word "ζητήσεις" (zētēseis) refers to disputes or debates, while "λογομαχίας" (logomachias) means battles over words. Paul warns Timothy about those who engage in endless arguments over trivial matters, which can distract from the core message of the Gospel. This is a timeless warning against getting caught up in debates that do not edify or build up the body of Christ.

out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions
This list of negative outcomes highlights the destructive nature of prideful disputes. "Φθόνος" (phthonos) is envy, a feeling of discontent or covetousness. "Ἔρις" (eris) is strife, indicating conflict and discord. "Βλασφημίαι" (blasphēmiai) refers to abusive or slanderous talk, and "ὑπόνοιαι πονηραί" (hyponoiai ponērai) are evil suspicions, suggesting a mindset of distrust and malice. These are the fruits of a heart not aligned with God's love and truth, and they serve as a warning of the spiritual decay that can result from pride and contentiousness.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(4) He is proud.--St. Paul, with righteous anger, flames out against these perverse men, who, using the name of Christ, substitute their short-sighted views of life for His, throw doubt and discredit upon the teaching of His chosen Apostles and servants, stir up discord, excite party spirit, barring, often hopelessly, the onward march of Christianity. The true Christian teaching is healthy, practical, capable of being carried out by all orders in the state, by every age or sex, by bond and free. The spurious Christian maxims of these men deal with subtle, useless, unpractical questions, which have no influence on ordinary life, and only tend to stir up strife and useless inquiry, and to make men discontented and rebellious. These unhappy men he first characterises as "proud:" literally, blinded with pride.

Knowing nothing.--Better rendered, yet without knowing anything; having no real conception of the office and work of Christ in the world.

But doting about questions.--While so ignorant of the higher and more practical points of Christian theology, the false teacher is "mad upon" curious and debatable questions, such as the nature of the ever blessed Trinity; God's purposes respecting those men who know not, have not even heard of the Redeemer; and the like--problems never to be solved by us while on earth--questions, the profitless debating of which has rent asunder whole churches, and individually has broken up old friendships, and sown the seeds of bitter irreconcilable hatred.

And strifes of words.--Verbal disputes, barren and idle controversies about words rather than things; such wild war as also has raged, not only in the days of Timothy and of St. Paul, but all through the Christian ages, on such words as Predestination, Election, Faith, Inspiration, Person, Regeneration, &c.

St. Paul was writing, then, in the spirit of the living God, and was warning no solitary pastor and friend at Ephesus of the weeds then springing up in that fair, newly-planted vineyard of his, but was addressing the Master's servants in many vineyards and of many ages; was telling them what would meet them, what would mar and spoil their work, and in not a few cases would break their hearts with sorrow.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 4. - Puffed up for proud, A.V.; questionings for questions, A.V.; disputes for strifes, A.V. He is puffed up (τετύφωται); see 1 Timothy 3:6, note. Doting (νοσῶν); here only in the New Testament, but found occasionally in the LXX. Applied in classical Greek to the mind and body, "to be in an unsound state." Here it means "having a morbid love of" or "going mad about." In this morbid love of questionings and disputes of words, they lose sight of all wholesome words and all godly doctrine. Questionings (ζητήσεις); see 1 Timothy 1:6, note. It corresponds nearly to our word "controversies." Disputes of words (λογομαχίας); found only here. The verb λογομαχέω is used in 2 Timothy 2:14. Would that the Church had always remembered St. Paul's pithy condemnation of unfruitful controversies about words! Surmisings (ὑπόνοιαι); only here in the -New Testament. In classical Greek it means "suspicion," or any under-thought. The verb ὑπονοέω occurs three times in the Acts - "to deem, think, or suppose." Here the "surmisings" are those uncharitable insinuations in which angry controversialists indulge towards one another.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

he is conceited
τετύφωται (tetyphōtai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5187: From a derivative of tupho; to envelop with smoke, i.e. to inflate with self-conceit.

[and] understands
ἐπιστάμενος (epistamenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1987: To know, know of, understand. Apparently a middle voice of ephistemi; to put the mind upon, i.e. Comprehend, or be acquainted with.

nothing.
μηδὲν (mēden)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3367: No one, none, nothing.

Instead,
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

[he has] an unhealthy interest
νοσῶν (nosōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3552: To be diseased, hence of mental or spiritual disease. From nosos; to be sick, i.e. to hanker after.

in
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

controversies
ζητήσεις (zētēseis)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2214: A question, debate, controversy; a seeking, search. From zeteo; a searching, i.e. A dispute or its theme.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

semantics,
λογομαχίας (logomachias)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3055: Contention about words, an unprofitable controversy. From the same as logomacheo; disputation about trifles.

out of
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

which
ὧν (hōn)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

come
γίνεται (ginetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

envy,
φθόνος (phthonos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5355: Envy, a grudge, spite. Probably akin to the base of phtheiro; ill-will, i.e. Jealousy.

strife,
ἔρις (eris)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2054: Contention, strife, wrangling. Of uncertain affinity; a quarrel, i.e. wrangling.

abusive talk,
βλασφημίαι (blasphēmiai)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 988: Abusive or scurrilous language, blasphemy. From blasphemos; vilification.

evil
πονηραί (ponērai)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4190: Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.

suspicions,
ὑπόνοιαι (hyponoiai)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5283: A supposition, suspicion. From huponoeo; suspicion.

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NT Letters: 1 Timothy 6:4 He is conceited knowing nothing but obsessed (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm)