They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in … evil suspicions…
Summary: It turns out that we have to be careful to avoid evil suspicions about what Paul’s phrase means.
Okay, I have to admit that when I first read this verse, the phrase “evil suspicions” caught my attention. I immediately wondered what an “evil suspicion” could be, and then my imagination fired up, and all sorts of “evil” thoughts came to mind.
As we often do in these meditations, after my first flurry of guesses at what “evil suspicion” might mean, I turned to the original Greek to see what Paul had actually said.
As it turns out, the meaning is a bit more nuanced than I had anticipated.
The first word, “evil,” is a translation of the Greek “poneros,” which means a ‘hurtful effect’ (Strong’s G4190). The word “evil” in English generally conveys a sense that something is immoral as well as harmful.
I mention this because it seems like “evil” is often associated with the word “bad,” but in fact it is a little more specific — it is “bad,” but in a way that is immoral, harmful, and involves causing pain.
The second word, “suspicion,” is also interesting when we look at the Greek.
Once again, the English word “suspicion” carries with it the connotation that something nefarious is afoot. The Greek version, not so much.
In Greek, the word “hyponoia” is defined as both suspicion and surmising. To surmise is to jump to a conclusion and assume your conclusion is true.
So let’s put the two words together again and see what we get. It sounds like “evil suspicions” are assumptions about others that cause pain and harm.
Now, the next question is, “How?” How do evil suspicions cause pain and harm?
The answer to that is subtle. We live in a world where things that can be measured objectively are considered “real,” and everything that can’t be measured is discounted as “in your mind.”
But things that are “in your mind” are real — to you.
This, I believe, is one of Satan’s principal tricks; he tries to subtly convince us that what he whispers in our ear isn’t “real.” But think of the damage he can do in our minds if we let him.
One “evil suspicion” can ruin a friendship forever. An “evil suspicion” can become gossip, and gossip can ruin a reputation. If evil suspicions can destroy friendships and reputations, they can destroy a church.
Do you see why Paul is insisting on strict adherence to his teachings?
Application: When evil suspicions hide in the mind, truth is the antidote.
Food for Thought: What is the difference between an ‘evil suspicion’ and a regular suspicion?
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Continue reading “1 Timothy 6:4f – Evil Suspicions”
