ACC ~ 1 Timothy 6 v4 - 5

DANGEROUS SOPHISTRY. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: Skill in sophistry, an enthusiasm of the Greeks, is a power operating on the imagination, using arguments to implant false opinions as if they were true. It produces rhetoric for persuasion and eristic for controversy. If the skills lack philosophy, then anyone at all would find them damaging. … So the admirable apostle was right to play down these appalling excesses in language skills. STROMATA 1.8.39.1—40.1.

THE MORBID CRAVING FOR CONTROVERSY. TERTULLIAN: The apostle forbids us to enter into hypothetical questions, or to lend our ears to newfangled statements or to consort with a heretic “after the first and second admonitions.” We do not enter into these discussions. Discussion has been inhibited in this way by designating admonition as the purpose of dealing with a heretic. The first reason, too, is because he is not a Christian. The instruction is given in order that he might not, after the manner of a Christian, seem to require correction again and again and “before two or three witnesses.” The impression could be created that he ought to be corrected, for the very reason that he is not to be disputed with. The second reason is that a controversy over the Scriptures can, clearly, produce no other effect than to upset either the stomach or the brain. PRESCRIPTION AGAINST HERETICS 16-17.

ACTIONS RATHER THAN ELABORATE WORDS. GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS: I shall address my words to those whose cleverness is in words. … “Strife of words” is the term given to all elaborate verbiage by Paul, who proclaims and confirms the “short and final account,”Paul, the pupil and teacher of fishermen. These people I speak of have versatile tongues and are resourceful in attacking doctrines nobler and worthier than their own. I only wish they would display comparable energy in their actions. ORATIONS 27.1.

1 Tim