he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
but doting about questions and strifes of words: "Doting" (noson) signifies to be ill, whether it be physically or mentally. Such is Paul’s image of the false teacher’s obsession or morbid preoccupation for things that do not aid holiness, except in his own mind. He loves to debate or dispute questions (zeteseis) over semantic trivia and create a war of words over empty matters (1 Timothy 1:4; 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9).