Let those who have believing masters not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but serve them even better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.[a](A)

False Doctrine and Human Greed

Teach and encourage these things. If anyone teaches false doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord(B) Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness,(C) he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in disputes and arguments over words.(D) From these come envy,(E) quarreling,(F) slander,(G) evil suspicions, and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain.[b](H)

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Footnotes

  1. 6:2 Or because, as believers who are dearly loved, they are devoted to others’ welfare
  2. 6:5 Other mss add From such people withdraw yourself.

And those who have masters who are believers shouldn’t look down on them because they are brothers. Instead, they should serve them more faithfully, because the people who benefit from your good service are believers who are loved. Teach and encourage these things.

Warning about false teachers

If anyone teaches anything different and doesn’t agree with sound teaching about our Lord Jesus Christ and teaching that is consistent with godliness, that person is conceited. They don’t understand anything but have a sick obsession with debates and arguments. This creates jealousy, conflict, verbal abuse, and evil suspicions. There is constant bickering between people whose minds are ruined and who have been robbed of the truth. They think that godliness is a way to make money!

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Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers.(A) Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare[a] of their slaves.

False Teachers and the Love of Money

These are the things you are to teach and insist on.(B) If anyone teaches otherwise(C) and does not agree to the sound instruction(D) of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited(E) and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words(F) that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth(G) and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 6:2 Or and benefit from the service