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The BibleTexts.com Bible Commentary Copyright 1996-2005 Robert Nguyen Cramer FIRST LETTER TO TIMOTHY |
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In this verse [the author] proves his case against those who desire to be rich, by first of all quoting a popular proverb, and secondly, by noting that this desire for money has indeed led people to lose their faith and to experience unnecessary suffering.
This proverb is one of the most abused and misused parts of the New Testament. Some of the misunderstandings should be clarified in order that the verse may be properly translated and interpreted.
First of all, it is not money that is the root of evil, but love of money. Secondly, love of money is not the only source of evil, nor is it the source of all evil, as RSV would have us understand. The meaning of the verse is clearly depicted in the NRSV "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil," and TEV "For the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil."
1Ti 6:20 - KJV wording: science <1108, gnosis> - alternative translation: knowledge (or: Gnosis)
Martin Dibelius and Hans Conzelmann (The Pastoral Epistles, translated by Philip Buttolph and Adela Yarbro, Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1972, page 92) comment:
"Knowledge" (gnosis) is used here in the technical sense as the self-designation of the false teachers. The question as to what kind of Gnosis is represented by these people is not answered by this designation. But it certainly was a particular teaching which could be differentiated from that of the church.
Daniel C. Arichea and Howard A. Hatton (A Handbook on Paul's Letters to Timothy and to Titus, New York: United Bible Societies, 1995, page 164) comment:
The expression what is falsely called knowledge has given rise to some problems of interpretation. Some interpreters have claimed that what is being referred to here is a certain Gnostic movement, since the Gnostics claim to possess a certain kind of knowledge that enables them to have communion with the divine. Others maintain that it is not Gnosticism that is being referred to here but the teachings of the false teachers that are described in various ways in the letters (see especially 1.3-7 and 4.1-4). It is difficult to be sure, but the use of the word knowledge seems to indicate that some form of Gnosticism was present at that time; it is even possible that some of the false teachers were influenced in some way by Gnostic teaching, as for instance the emphasis on genealogies... Another way to express this clause is "that some people say is 'knowledge,' but it really isn't."
An alternative translation model for this verse is:
Timothy, you must keep safe what God has given you to look after. Don't listen to people who incessantly say stupid (or, empty) words that show no reverence for God, and argue stupidly. They call this "knowledge," but it really isn't.
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1996-2004 Robert Nguyen Cramer
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