1 Timothy 6:3

It seems that in those early days there were people who taught otherwise. They saw Christianity as only a way to improve people's social conditions and make this world a better, brighter place. They were probably teaching that a converted slave now came under the Lordship of Christ. So he could think of himself as free from his master on earth. Such views, however, were contrary to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the teaching which is according to piety.

Some may think it strange that the apostle speaks so firmly to Timothy. But weigh the moral judgment of this very sober servant of the Lord, made under the direct power of the inspiring Spirit. No one who fears God will accuse him of undue severity. Yet he condemns without reserve any man who taught a different teaching from what has been laid down. To undermine the relation of a servant to a master was wicked in his eyes. It was no less wicked because fine pretexts and high-sounding professions were put forward. The duty of submission flows from the relationship itself. The faith of those involved strengthens that duty; it does not relax it.

The word translated "sound" occurs again and again. It is the word from which we get "hygienic," so often on people's lips today. It means healthful. Sound doctrine really is teaching that makes for spiritual health.

We are custodians of the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and they are written here. But it is not enough to own a copy of the whole Scriptures. We need the sound and healthful words of our Lord Jesus Christ and His servants in our hearts. They have the power to keep us from evil. The words of our Lord Jesus Christ never become corrupt, because they are, as they are called here, "sound words."

What the Lord Jesus spoke carried the character of grace, truth and wisdom, and people marvelled at it. That was not all. He was a divine Person, so the very form of language His blessed words took was divinely perfect. Language with Him was what it could not be with anyone else. It was the means by which He perfectly conveyed what He wished to communicate.

Think what it is to be a sinner who owes every mercy to grace in Christ. Would such a person dare to keep on in direct opposition to His words? He is the Lord of all and the appointed Judge of the living and the dead. Would anyone be so satisfied with his own theories and arguments that he despises what the apostle says — that such teaching cannot stand with what is according to godliness?

Piety is confidence in the known and living God. That confidence leads the believer to walk in the holy fear of God through all the circumstances of life. It recognises and honours God. So it is the very opposite of the show of holiness that seeks to exalt self.

The Holy Spirit will not allow that "godliness", or Christian piety, can exist without the truth. Nor will He allow that the truth can be received in the love of it without producing godliness. The truth means living Godward.

The man who teaches otherwise is "puffed up": his own self-importance has inflated him. He has not learned self-judgment. He has never seen himself in the light of the cross of Christ, as a sinner condemned and worthless. He is "sick about questions and strifes of words." He has no spiritual health. He may love to argue about the logic and virtue of human rights, but he ignores the rights of God.