Proud, Ignorant, Sick And Greedy
The apostle Paul described the teacher that "teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to doctrine which is according to godliness" as being "puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings, and disputes of words" (I Tim. 6:3,4). In other words such a teacher is proud, ignorant and sick.
He is doting (sick) about questions and disputes of words. The unhealthy appetite for speculations and strained meanings of words is still with us, and the same "envy, strife, railing, evil surmising" is being produced in our day as came from it in Paul's day.
Pride thrives on ignorance, the type ignorance which is not corrected by the wisdom of the world but is often aggravated by it. The Athenians ranked high in worldly learning, yet were ignorant in the most vital areas. The Greeks who sought after wisdom, were as men "knowing nothing"; to them the preaching of the cross was foolishness. (I Cor. 1:23) "Puffed up" and "knowing nothing" properly go together. These spiritually retarded teachers reflect their sickly state in their doting (excessive fondness) for "questionings and disputes of words."
This proud, ignorant, sickly teacher is further described as "corrupted in mind" and laboring under the erroneous supposition that "godliness is a way of gain." (II Tim. 3:5) Greediness plus the the supposition that godliness is a way of gain is sufficient motivation for teaching a different doctrine. (I Tim. 6:5). Those who suppose that godliness is a way of gain hold a "form of godliness" but regarding it as a way of gain, they deny its real power. "Godliness with contentment is great gain," but if one regards godliness as a way of gain, his form of godliness will be adjusted to circumstances — situational decisions will be made in favor of gain. The rate of gain will not be regulated by godliness; godliness will be adjusted to accelerate gain. Such teachers are described as "corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth."
The Holy Spirit's description of false teachers as proud, ignorant, sickly and greedy would shock all teachers into trying themselves whether they be in the faith.
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