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"Obsessed with disputes and arguments..."

Text: 1 Timothy 6:4

A CANDID ASSESSMENT

The apostle Paul had come across many situations where people were promoting their own sets of ideas. What was his candid apostolic assessment after years of experience?

“He is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes
and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife,
reviling, evil suspicions.”
1 Timothy 6:4

1. From years of experience in dealing with people who liked to engage in disputes

a) He is proud

i) Pride is a difficult sin to deal with.

ii) It tends to assert itself time and again.

iii) Paul describes this person as one who is “swollen with pride”.

b) “Knowing nothing”

i) The disputer may seem to display knowledge.

ii) But the lack of full understanding was obvious to the apostle Paul.

c) “But is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words”

i) The word “obsessed” indicates an unhealthy desire with disputes.

ii) The disputer likes nothing better than to debate.

iii) He will engage in quibbling over “words” (“words that can lead to fights”).

2. Observable consequences

It is inevitable that bad consequences will occur. A few were listed to highlight the danger of false teachings!

a) “Envy”

Another word that could be used would be “spite”.

b) “Strife”

The picture here is one of people quarrelling because of “selfish rivalry”.

c) “Reviling”

The more straightforward word is “blasphemy!” People can end up blaspheming when they become heated in their disputes.

d) “Evil suspicions”

Inevitably people will have evil suspicions of their opponents!

A DANGER TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE CHURCH

Timothy needed to be warned of the dangers that can engulf the church if false teachers were not stopped. Wisdom and courage must be exercised to preserve the unity and health of the church.