Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Timothy 6:4-5 (English Standard Version)

…he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

There are many, many “modern” translations of the Bible available today. I like the variety. I like to study the different English words chosen by the different translators. These two verses provide on example.

Paul is writing to Timothy about false teachers and how their own teaching leads them to ruin or brings them from ruin to teaching.

“depraved in mind and deprived of the truth” What poetry. What a turn of phrase. I love it. I love how it clearly states the ruin of the false teacher. What a curse. What a wretched state.

I think a lot (at least I think I think a lot). Clarity of mind is important to me, maybe more than it should be. What is “true,” the things that can be measured and proven, is important to me. I wince when I consider the poor souls that have lost those things. Bless me, O Lord. Continue to bless me.