Tag: Judge

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1 Timothy 6:5c – Ka-Ching!

Picture of a 1940's style cash register (Grok)

… and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

Summary: Paul continues his warning about people who ‘teach otherwise’ and focuses on money as a motive.   

When you think of “financial gain,” what is the first thing that comes to mind? It probably isn’t standing on a street corner preaching the Gospel to people who are walking by. However, some people have figured out how to squeeze a nickel out of preaching, and Paul isn’t happy about it. 

When Paul was staying in Corinth, he made a point not to be a burden to them. He proudly refused any money so that no one could question his motives in preaching to them (2 Corinthians 11:5-11). 

Adhering to the pure Gospel is Paul’s highest priority. Peter is another who warns against false teachers and says, “ In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories” (2 Peter 2:3). 

Jude, also, warns about such people when he writes, “Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion” (Jude 1:11). 

So accepting money for preaching the Gospel is wrong. Right? 

Well, no. Not exactly. 

Remember Paul saying this: 

“For Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.’” (1 Timothy 5:18)

Jesus himself said almost the exact same thing (Luke 10:7). 

It is not the money that Paul objects to; it is the motive. 

People who see godliness as a means to financial gain are not looking at the “God” part of godliness. They are actually looking at the money. For them, godliness is just a means to an end. 

This is why Jesus’ words about judging others are so important:

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (Matthew 7:1)

We cannot see the heart; only God can. 

Does that mean we are not to make any judgments at all? 

No…

Jesus also said, “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?” (Luke 12:57). He also says, “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly” (John 7:24). 

Like Paul, we have to look past the money. What Paul is looking for is fidelity to the Gospel.

Application: Judge not [the heart], but instead judge correctly [what you see and observe]. 

Food for Thought: What is Paul’s real concern here? Is he worried about the money? 

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1 Timothy 6:4d – Judge Not

Picture of a courtroom with a red "NO" symbol over the judge's bench (Grok)

They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in … strife…

Summary: Controversies and quarrels about words are weapons that Satan uses to cause division.   

If we were talking about the best poisons to murder a Christian church with, strife would be among the top choices.

The Greek word Paul used is “eris,” which means quarreling. By implication, it means contention, debate, strife, variance;* in a word — disagreement.

(If you are interested, when Paul writes, “They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words …” the word he used for “quarrels about words” is “logomachia,” which Strong’s Lexicon defines as “strife of words.”†)

Words have meanings — oftentimes more than one. Words are used in a context that influences how we understand their meaning. We also provide context when we hear the words used. 

What does this mean? 

In short, it means that ten people can listen to the same sentence and come away with ten different understandings of what was said. 

What? 

Yes. Let me repeat that: Ten people can hear the exact same sentence, and each one can come away with a different understanding of what was said. They could, in fact, all be “right” from their own perspective. 

Of course, context changes how we understand the meaning of words. For ten people with different understandings of a sentence to agree on the meaning, they need to engage with the context and the other listeners. 

For example, the Bible says, “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1, KJV).  

The word Paul used for “judge,” “krinō,” is a word with many meanings. According to some, it can be used in almost a dozen distinctly different ways.** Add to that how we hear the word, and the differences multiply. 

A lawyer will hear the word differently than a plumber, and a politician will hear it differently than a pastor. You and I each have different backgrounds that affect how we feel about what we hear at a given time. The more they engage with each other about what they have read, the better they will understand the text. 

The point of all this is that hearing words differently is normal. Arguing about how we hear words is not productive. Practically speaking, controlling what others think is impossible. The person might say they agree, just to avoid conflict, but what is the context of their words? What do they really mean? 

God commands us to love (agapē) one another (Matthew 22:39). Forcing others to submit to our way of seeing things is not love. 

Application: Strive for mutual understanding instead of control.  

Food for Thought: What would happen to the churches of the world if we gave up striving about words?

*”G2054 – eris – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NIV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 15 Jul, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2054/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.

†”G3055 – logomachia – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NIV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 15 Jul, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3055/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.

**”G2919 – krinō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NIV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 15 Jul, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2919/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.

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1 Timothy 1:7 – Part III: Teachers of the Law

A college professor stands at the blackboard writing the word "LAW." (Grok)

They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

Summary: Teaching others is a wonderful calling and profession, if we are teaching God’s truth. For those who teach otherwise, there are consequences.     

Now that we have discussed what evil actually is and have a better understanding of what the law is, let’s look at what it means to be a “teacher of the law.” 

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1 Timothy 1:7 – Part I: What is the Law?

Picture is of a woodland trail with a sign beside it saying "Stay Out! Evil Ahead!" (Grok)

They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

Summary: The topic of the law opens the door to many related questions. The first one we will deal with has to do with the nature of the law itself.   

In our last meditation, we discussed the meaning of the verb “judge.” The Bible instructs us to make good judgments about the things we say and do, but warns us against making moral judgments about other people. 

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1 Timothy 1:6 – Our Struggle

A picture of a balance scale. On once side is a bright, pure, heart, and on the other a dark object (Grok)

Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk.

Summary: With this passage, Paul dives into the deep end of the pool and invites us to follow. As we consider his words, we pause and think about the nature of judging.   

At this point in his letter, Paul is quite blunt. He begins to call out the difference between people who “teach false doctrines” (1 Tim 1:3) and those whose lives reflect a “sincere faith” (1 Tim 1:5). 

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Philippians 1:28b – Things to Come

A picture of a simple road sign. I wooden post with a pointed wood board pointing right, marked "HEAVEN" and another wooden sign board pointing left marked "DESTRUCTION." A heavenly light shines from the heaven side of the picture and the glow of a raging fire radiates from the destruction side of the picture. (Grok)

This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 

Summary: The Bible often mentions signs and wonders meaning miraculous events. The kind of “sign” Paul refers to in this passage is a bit different. Paul considers it a proof of things to come. 

Generally speaking, Paul’s words about the Gospel are instructional. Yet, now and then, he makes an undeniably clear statement about good and bad, right and wrong. 

In this passage, Paul makes such a statement. 

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Philippians 1:18b – The Important Thing

Picture of a field of wheat with weeds growing in it. (Grok)

The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. 

Summary: Paul is pondering what is most important in life. In this passage, he shares his conclusion that at the end of the day, all that matters is that Christ is preached. 

How much Jesus is enough to save a soul? 

This question may sound silly, but it stems from the passage before us. What does Paul mean by “in every way?” Does it matter if I preach a little Jesus or a lot? Is how I preach Jesus more important than the fact that I preach Jesus? What if I preach Jesus, but I do it in a way that you don’t like?

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Colossians 4:5a – Wisdom

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders…

Summary: How we act towards people says a lot about us, and it says even more about who or what we serve. 

Unsurprisingly, this passage follows the one before rather closely. To proclaim the Gospel clearly, we need to be “wise” in how we interact with others. 

Notice that Paul doesn’t say, “Be wise in the way you talk to others.” 

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Colossians 2:16b – The Risk of Rules

… by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 

young man sitting in church, wearing a hat, drinking coffee and sporting tattoos.

Summary: In this passage, Paul gives us a rule about rules. 

Let’s review the entire verse before we start our meditation: 

“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.” 

Paul begins with “Therefore…” referring to his prior statement that God made us “alive in Christ” (Col 2:13) and has canceled our “legal indebtedness” (Col 2:14) by means of the cross, “do not let anyone judge you by legalistic requirements.“

This is not a mysterious statement or a confusing metaphor. Paul is speaking as plainly as humanly possible here. There is no chance that anyone would or could misunderstand his point. 

Except we do. 

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