In today's first reading from the letter to Timothy, Paul contrasts between two types of teachers of the faith, that is, false teachers and good teachers.

In the first part, he provides us with a checklist to discern the false teachers and good ones. Basically, a false teacher is one who does not adhere to the proper teachings of the faith. He is rather inclined to issues that are spectacular, controversial and superficial.

In addition, he also describes the root causes and results that arise due to false teachings. Paul states that since it is by the fruits that we will know them, false teachers are shown to be what they are based on the list of vices to which false teaching will eventually lead. The main motive of false teachers is self-gain. On this topic, Paul contrasts the greed of false teachers and anyone lusting for money with the correct Christian appreciation of moderation and sufficiency.

In the Gospel passage, we have the image of the teacher par excellent in the person of Jesus. Jesus teaches not for self-gain or personal but for the growth of the kingdom of God. In a world full of men and women who claim to be teachers of the faith, Jesus' life and his message are the best 'checklist' that we can use in discerning between false and genuine ones.