Whoever teaches something different
and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ
and the religious teaching
is conceited, understanding nothing,
and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes.
Argumentation can be a strategy to arrive at the truth. But when it is turned against the teaching of the one who is himself the Truth what can we call it but conceited? How can one hope to understand when he places himself in a position of judgment over the source of his own understanding? In order for human reason to function it must not protest the only foundation on which it may hope to stand. If a computer decided its instructions meant something other than what the designer intended, what connection to reality would remain? Another common pitfall is what happens if our discourse is more of a hobby for entertainment than a strategy for seeking the truth in which we may finally rest. It then becomes no more than a distraction from that which really matters.
From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions,
and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds,
who are deprived of the truth,
supposing religion to be a means of gain.
Anywhere that the truth is said to be a priority we also find the situation Paul describes, where truth hobbyists are more interested in what they can get out of it, whether it be self-image, or wealth, or something else. When these conditions obtain we see envy, rivalry, and vitriol, rather than cooperation. Since it has become about the people and their egos and not about the truth it is natural that everyone approaches discourse as if it is a battlefield, if not a war zone. The risk is especially present when we consider the religious sphere. People with any kind of a professional interest in religious will be tempted to pursue sordid gain rather allowing themselves to be content to receive the benefits common to all. This is simply to say that when someone has a particular interest in something it is often in that area that they will experience particular temptation. There is often a decision to make about whether to monetize any hobby, gaining more than the mere pleasure of the thing itself. This isn't always immoral, but does necessary entail increased stress and potential temptation. And yet, though we may not be among those trying to profit by religion, it doesn't say anything especially good about us if we are indifferent to the truth either. Because of this we need to be careful to care about it by leaning into the contentment that comes from Jesus alone, and from taking him at his word.
What is the right posture for us as disciples, by which we may care deeply about our faith, and yet avoid the perils that come with being deeply invested in it? We can take the advice Paul offered to Timothy:
But you, man of God, avoid all this.
Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion,
faith, love, patience, and gentleness.
Compete well for the faith.
Lay hold of eternal life,
to which you were called when you made the noble confession
in the presence of many witnesses.
Additionally, we can take the example of the women who accompanied Jesus. They didn't fill the pages of Scriptures with their exploits, but were rather content to remain on the margins and in the shadows as long as they remain near to Jesus and did what they could within their own means, with their time, talent, and treasure, to provide for him and his disciples.
Accompanying him were the Twelve
and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities,
Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza,
Susanna, and many others
who provided for them out of their resources.
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