Paul returned to instructions concerning the false teachers (cf. 1:3-11; 4:1-5) to alert Timothy to their underlying attitudes so he could deal with them effectively.
". . . Paul issues a kind of wanted poster.' It is the counterpart to the job description' given in chapter 3."206
6:3-5 The apostle first described the actions of the false teachers (v. 3), then their attitudes (v. 4a), third the fruits of their ministry (vv. 4b-5a), and then their motivation (v. 5b).
The false teachers in Ephesus advocated doctrine that was different from what Scripture and the apostles taught. They disagreed with the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ that fostered spiritual health in those who heard and responded to them. Furthermore they rejected the doctrine that conforms to and results in godly behavior. These are three overlapping rather than distinctly different activities (cf. 1:3, 10; 3:16; 4:6-10).
"When it meets the truth,' the corrupted mind sees and seeks only objections; when it meets what differs from this truth, it sees and seeks reasons for accepting this difference."207
"It is little wonder, then, that missionaries of the cults are so resistant to the gospel and so easily angered in theological discussions. Corrupt minds and argumentative dispositions go hand in hand with opposition to the gospel."208
Paul regarded these men as guilty and culpable. Their error was not an innocent one. It sprang from improper attitudes: the desires to exalt self and to hoard money selfishly.209Such motivation demonstrated that they really understood "nothing"(i.e., nothing that is truly important). This motivation also led them to an unhealthy interest in controversies and terminology. This interest produced all kinds of selfish and divisive behavior and attitudes that were not loving and edifying (1:5).210
"Conceit leads to a love for controversy. Those who think well of their opinions like to argue them with others. Where a spirit of controversy seizes a family, office, or institution, all sense of community and unity disappears."211
"The indictment of the false teachers is thus multifaceted and comprehensive. It begins with their heterodoxy (v. 3), which is correlated with their conceit and lack of real understanding (v. 4a) and their sick interest in mere controversy (v. 4b), turns to the maliciousness of life that flows from these characteristics (v. 4c), roots all this in spiritual blindness (v. 5a), and ends with their materialistic motivation (v. 5b). It is given to warn the church against such people.212
6:6-8 Paul urged Timothy to remember that real "gain"comes from the acquisition of godliness that includes an attitude of contentment with one's material possessions. It does not come from teaching godliness to others primarily to receive pay for doing so. That conduct demonstrates an attitude of discontent with one's material possessions.
The apostle further reminded Timothy that there is really no relationship between godliness and one's material possessions. Material things are transitory. As we entered the world without any, so we shall leave it (cf. Job 1:21; Eccles. 5:15). Possessions are simply tools we can use to bring glory to God (cf. 4:3-4; 6:17). Having the basic necessities of life, food and clothing, we can and should be content (cf. Matt. 6:24-34; Luke 12:16-32; Heb. 13:5-6).213Paul had learned this lesson of healthy detachment from material things in his own life (Phil. 4:10-13). We must learn it too.
"Materialism is a desire to possess things instead of a love for the God who made those things."214
"Contentment is one of the greatest assets of life."215
"How can the Christian learn to be content with simple living? Certainly not by accepting the standards set by this world. Paul suggests that an eternal perspective and an attitude of detachment toward things are prerequisites. As an eternal perspective develops, dependence on things material will decline."216
6:9-10 In contrast to contentment with the basics of life, greed for more opens the door to temptation. This solicitation to do evil comes in the form of unwise lustful desires that impede one's spiritual progress, as a trap holds an animal that gets tangled in it. Eventually the end of such a person is spiritual ruin and personal destruction if he or she does not escape its grip and turn from it.
Paul used a second figure to warn against greed (v. 10a). That root attitude bears all kinds of evil fruit in wicked actions. Note that it is the love of money, not money itself, that is the snare. It is possible to have very little money and yet to love it. Some people have much money yet do not love it. Love of money contrasts with love of God and neighbor, the two greatest commandments (Matt. 22:39; cf. Matt. 6:24; Luke 16:13; 1 John 2:15).
"The connotation in the love of money' (philaguria) is not the acquisition of wealth in order that it may be used in prodigal expenditure but rather the miserly accumulation and hoarding of money for the very love of it. That which should be a means to support life is made the end of life itself."217
Paul pictured a person wandering from the narrow path of truth as he pursues money. He gets caught in thorns that pierce his skin and cause him great pain (cf. Matt. 13:22).
"The sentiment is, that there is no kind of evil to which the love of money may not lead men, when once it fairly takes hold of them."218
As Christians who live in a materialistic world, we must cultivate Paul's attitude of contentment very deliberately. This is a specially difficult task in a society like the one in which we live in North America. We are constantly hearing through advertising and the media that we "need"all kinds of luxuries. According to Paul our personal needs as human beings are very few. His point was that we should seek godliness more diligently than we seek money and the things it can buy.
"If you are afraid that perhaps the love of money is getting a hold on your soul, start giving some of it away and see how you feel! If you feel really glad then you are still safe, but if it almost breaks your heart then it is time to get down on your knees and pray to be freed from this sin of covetousness! It is going to ruin you unless you are delivered from it."219
