Bible Strands
1 Timothy 6:4
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 Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Timothy in Ephesus, warning him about teachers who reject the sound words of Christ (v. 3) and slide into word-quarrels.
The words — τετύφωται (tetuphōtai), "puffed up," paints the person as inflated and hollow; νοσῶν (nosōn), "sick," reframes the dispute not as a debate but as a disease.
The thread — The same conceit appears in 1 Timothy 3:6 (a new convert who becomes puffed up and falls under condemnation) and 2 Timothy 3:4 (conceited among the last-day traits); 2 Timothy 2:23 warns that foolish speculation breeds quarreling.
Why it lands — The verse asks the reader to check whether their engagement with a text is producing understanding or producing envy, abuse, and suspicion—and if the latter, the problem is not the other person's argument but the reader's own inflation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
Cross-references
- 2 Timothy 2:23 But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
- 2 Timothy 3:4 traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
- 1 Timothy 3:6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.
- 2 Timothy 2:14 Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
- 2 Peter 2:12 These men are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, and like such creatures, they too will be destroyed.
- Jude 1:10 These men, however, slander what they do not understand, and like irrational animals, they will be destroyed by the things they do instinctively.
- 1 Timothy 1:4 or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.
- 1 Timothy 1:7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert.
- Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
- 2 Peter 2:18 With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error.