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Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 1 Timothy 6:13–21. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
The apostle here charges Timothy to keep this commandment (that is, the whole work of his ministry, all the trust reposed in him, all the service expected from him) without spot, unrebukable; he must conduct himself so in his ministry that he might not lay himself open to any blame nor incur any blemish. What are the motives to move him to this?
I.He gives him a solemn charge:
I give thee charge in the sight of God that thou do this. He charges him as he will answer it at the great day to that God whose eyes are upon us all, who sees what we are and what we do: - God, who quickens all things, who has life in himself and is the fountain of life. This should quicken us to the service of God that we serve a God who quickens all things. He charges him before Christ Jesus, to whom in a peculiar manner he stood related as a minister of his gospel: Who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession. Observe, Christ died not only as a sacrifice, but as a martyr; and he witnessed a good confession when he was arraigned before Pilate, saying (Joh 18:36, Joh 18:37), My kingdom is not of this world: I am come to bear witness unto the truth. That good confession of his before Pilate, My kingdom is not of this world, should be effectual to draw off all his followers, both ministers and people, from the love of this world.
II.He reminds him of the confession that he himself had made:
Thou hast professed a good profession before many witnesses (Ti1 6:12), namely, when he was ordained by the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. The obligation of that was still upon him, and he must live up to that, and be quickened by that, to do the work of his ministry.
III.He reminds him of Christ's second coming:
"Keep this commandment - until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; keep it as long as thou live, till Christ come at death to give thee a discharge. Keep it with an eye to his second coming, when we must all give an account of the talents we have been entrusted with," Luk 16:2. Observe, The Lord Jesus Christ will appear, and it will be a glorious appearing, not like his first appearing in the days of his humiliation. Ministers should have an eye to this appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ in all their ministrations, and, till his appearing, they are to keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable. Mentioning the appearing of Christ, as one that loved it, Paul loves to speak of it, and loves to speak of him who shall then appear. The appearing of Christ is certain (he shall show it), but it is not for us to know the time and season of it, which the Father has kept in his own power: let this suffice us, that in time he will show it, in the time that he thinks fit for it. Observe,
1.Concerning Christ and God the Father the apostle here speaks great things.
(1.)That God is the only Potentate; the powers of earthly princes are all derived from him, and depend upon him. The powers that exist are ordained of God, Rom 13:1. He is the only Potentate that is absolute and sovereign, and perfectly independent.
(2.)He is the blessed and the only Potentate, infinitely happy, and nothing can in the least impair his happiness.
(3.)He is King of kings, and Lord of lords. All the kings of the earth derive their power from him; he gave them their crowns, they hold them under him, and he has a sovereign dominion over them. This is Christ's title (Rev 19:16), upon his vesture and his thigh; for he has a name higher than the kings of the earth.
(4.)He only has immortality. He only is immortal in himself, and has immortality as he is the fountain of it, for the immortality of angels and spirits derived from him.
(5.)He dwells in inaccessible light, light which no man can approach unto: no man can get to heaven but those whom he is pleased to bring thither, and admit into his kingdom.
(6.)He is invisible: Whom no man hath seen, nor can see. It is impossible that mortal eyes should bear the brightness of the divine glory. No man can see God and live.
2.Having mentioned these glorious attributes, he concludes with a doxology: To him be honour and power everlasting. Amen. God having all power and honour to himself, it is our duty to ascribe all power and honour to him.
(1.)What an evil is sin, when committed against such a God, the blessed and only Potentate! The evil of it rises in proportion to the dignity of him against whom it is committed.
(2.)Great is his condescension, to take notice of such mean and vile creatures as we are. What are we then, that the blessed God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, should seek after us?
(3.)Blessed are those who are admitted to dwell with this great and blessed Potentate. Happy are thy men (says the queen of Sheba to king Solomon), happy are these thy servants, who stand continually before thee, Kg1 10:8. Much more happy are those who are allowed to stand before the King of kings.
(4.)Let us love, adore, and praise, the great God; for who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy, Rev 15:4.
IV.The apostle adds, by way of postscript, a lesson for rich people, Ti1 6:17-19.
1.Timothy must charge those that are rich to beware of the temptations, and improve the opportunities, of their prosperous estate.
(1.)He must caution them to take heed of pride. This is a sin that easily besets rich people, upon whom the world smiles. Charge them that they be not high-minded, or think of themselves above what is meet, or be puffed up with their wealth.
(2.)He must caution them against vain confidence in their wealth. Charge them that they trust not in uncertain riches. Nothing is more uncertain than the wealth of this world; many have had much of it one day and been stripped of all the next. Riches make themselves wings, and fly away as an eagle, etc., Pro 23:5.
(3.)He must charge them to trust in God, the living God, to make him their hope, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. Those who are rich must see God giving them their riches, and giving them to enjoy them richly; for many have riches, but enjoy them poorly, not having a heart to use them.
(4.)He must charge them to do good with what they have (for what is the best estate worth, any more than as it gives a man an opportunity of doing so much the more good?): That they be rich in good works. Those are truly rich who are rich in good works. That they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate: not only to do it, but to do it willingly, for God loves a cheerful giver.
(5.)He must charge them to think of another world, and prepare for that which is to come by works of charity: Laying up in store a good foundation against the time to come, that they may take hold on eternal life.
2.Hence we may observe,
(1.)Ministers must not be afraid of the rich; be they ever so rich, they must speak to them, and charge them.
(2.)They must caution them against pride, and vain confidence in their riches: That they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches. Stir them up to works of piety and charity: That they do good, etc.
(3.)This is the way for the rich to lay up in store for themselves for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life; in the way of well-doing we are to seek for glory, honour, and immortality, and eternal life will be the end of all, Rom 2:7.
(4.)Here is a lesson for ministers in the charge given to Timothy: Keep that which is committed to thy trust. Every minister is a trustee, and it is a treasure committed to his trust, which he has to keep. The truths of God, the ordinances of God, keep these, avoiding profane and vain babblings; not affecting human eloquence, which the apostle calls vain babbling, or human learning, which often opposes the truths of God, but keep close to the written word, for that is committed to our trust. Some who have been very proud of their learning, their science, which is falsely so called, have by that been debauched in their principles and been drawn away from the faith of Christ, which is a good reason why we should keep to the plain word of the gospel, and resolve to live and die by that. Observe, [1.] Ministers cannot be too earnestly exhorted to keep what is committed to their trust, because it is a great trust lodged with them: O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust! as if he had said, "I cannot conclude without charging thee again; whatever thou doest, be sure to keep this trust, for it is too great a trust to be betrayed." [2.] Ministers are to avoid babblings, if they would keep what is committed to them, because they are vain and profane. [3.] That science that opposes the truth of the gospel is falsely so called; it is not true science, for if it were it would approve of the gospel and consent to it. [4.] Those who are so fond of such science are in great danger of erring concerning the faith; those who are for advancing reason above faith are in danger of leaving faith.
V.Our apostle concludes with a solemn prayer and benediction:
Grace be with thee. Amen. Observe, this is a short, yet comprehensive prayer for our friends, for grace comprehends in it all that is good, and grace is an earnest, yea, a beginning, of glory; for, wherever God gives grace, he will give glory, and will not withhold any good thing from him who walketh uprightly. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Historical interpretation
Six Centuries of Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
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"Which some professing have erred concerning the faith."
You see how again he commands Timothy not even to meet them. "Avoiding opposition." There are therefore oppositions to which we ought not to vouchsafe an answer, because they turn men from faith, and do not suffer one to be firmly established or fixed in it. Let us not then pursue this science, but adhere to faith, that unshaken rock. For neither floods nor winds assailing will be able to harm us, since we stand on the rock immovable.
O Timothy, guard what has been delivered to you, avoiding profane and vain babblings and oppositions of falsely called knowledge, which some professing have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
guard what has been delivered to you. Paul says the commandment of God, which he delivered to you through me; or the grace of the Spirit, which he received through the laying on of hands.
avoiding profane and vain babblings. The impure, the defiled. Vain babblings, however, are pointless words, therefore empty sound is not profane. But Blessed John called the recent admonitions novelties of voices, reading as it seems “vain babblings” [καινοφωνίας], through the diphthong and the written "και," as the first syllable.
and oppositions. Therefore, there is an opposition to which one must not respond, because of its nonsense.
of falsely called knowledge. For when there is no faith, there is no knowledge. And that which seems to be, is false.
which some professing. Paul says that the knowledge is false and forbidden. For perhaps some were claiming knowledge discovered from human reasoning, which was opposed to faith. And it is obvious from this that they have suffered shipwreck concerning the faith.
Grace be with you. Amen. Paul prays for the seal or signet of all things, namely the grace of God, from which all which is good is both given and preserved.
The end, with divine assistance, of the first Epistle to Timothy.
It was written from Laodicea, which is a metropolis of Phrygia and Pacatiana.
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Summary
Paul concludes his first letter to Timothy with a poignant warning and a pastoral benediction. He highlights the grave danger of those who, despite claiming to adhere to Christian truth, have fundamentally deviated from "the faith"—the body of revealed doctrine. This final admonition serves as a strong caution against doctrinal drift and speculative error, immediately followed by a heartfelt prayer for God's sustaining grace upon Timothy, affirming the divine enablement essential for faithful ministry amidst such challenges.
Context
Literary Context
This verse serves as the concluding statement of Paul's first epistle to Timothy, immediately following a series of urgent warnings against false teaching and worldly entanglements. In 1 Timothy 6:3-5, Paul explicitly condemns those who teach "other doctrine" and promote "disputes of words," leading to envy, strife, and corrupt minds. The preceding verse, 1 Timothy 6:20, specifically instructs Timothy to "guard the deposit" and avoid "profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called." Thus, 1 Timothy 6:21 acts as a summary indictment of those who have succumbed to these errors, reinforcing the letter's overarching theme of upholding sound doctrine and godly conduct within the church. The final "Grace [be] with thee. Amen." is a characteristic Pauline closing, providing a personal and encouraging benediction after the stern warnings.
Historical & Cultural Context
Timothy was ministering in Ephesus, a prominent Roman city in Asia Minor, known for its diverse religious practices and philosophical schools. The early church in Ephesus, like many nascent Christian communities, faced internal and external pressures. Internally, there were emerging heresies, often characterized by a blend of Jewish legalism, asceticism, and speculative Gnostic-like philosophies, as hinted at in 1 Timothy 1:4 and 1 Timothy 4:1-3. These "oppositions of science falsely so called" (KJV) refer to intellectual challenges or philosophical systems that claimed superior knowledge but ultimately undermined the simplicity and truth of the gospel. Paul's warnings reflect the pastoral necessity of equipping leaders like Timothy to discern and counter such deviations, preserving the purity of Christian belief and practice in a complex cultural milieu. The postscript in the KJV, though considered a later addition not found in the earliest manuscripts, reflects a historical understanding of Paul's movements and the geographical context of his ministry.
Key Themes
This verse encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout 1 Timothy. Firstly, the Danger of Spiritual Error is paramount. Paul consistently warns against those who depart from truth, whether through false doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3-7), worldly pursuits (1 Timothy 6:9-10), or speculative knowledge (1 Timothy 6:20). Secondly, the Importance of Sound Doctrine is underscored by the phrase "the faith," referring to the objective body of Christian truth that must be guarded and taught faithfully. This "deposit" (1 Timothy 6:20) is the foundation for healthy church life and individual piety. Finally, Paul's Pastoral Care and Benediction for Timothy is evident in the closing "Grace [be] with thee. Amen." This reflects Paul's deep affection and his reliance on God's divine enablement for Timothy to fulfill his challenging ministry, emphasizing that spiritual perseverance is ultimately sustained by divine favor.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb, derived from "to announce upon," implies engaging to do something or asserting something about oneself. Here, it refers to those who claim or declare themselves to be adherents of the Christian faith, or perhaps even teachers within it. Their error is particularly grievous because it comes from within the professing community, making their deviation more insidious and potentially damaging.
From a compound meaning "without an aim" or "to miss the mark," this term signifies a deviation from truth or a swerving from the correct path. It suggests a failure to hit the target of sound doctrine, implying a fundamental departure from the core tenets of belief. This error is not merely a minor misstep but a significant spiritual misalignment that can lead to profound consequences.
While pístis can refer to personal belief or trust, in this context, especially when preceded by the definite article "the," it refers to the objective body of Christian truth, the established doctrine, or the "faith once for all delivered to the saints." It is the system of religious truth derived from the Gospel, which these individuals have deviated from.
Verse Breakdown
"Which some professing have erred concerning the faith."
This clause identifies a specific group: individuals who outwardly claim adherence to Christian truth ("professing") but have, in reality, strayed from its essential doctrines ("erred concerning the faith"). The error is not a minor theological disagreement but a fundamental deviation from the core tenets of Christian belief, likely encompassing the "vain babblings" and "oppositions of science falsely so called" mentioned in the preceding verse. Their profession makes their error particularly dangerous, as it can mislead others within the community.
"Grace [be] with thee."
This is a standard Pauline benediction, a prayer and declaration of divine favor. It expresses Paul's deep pastoral concern and desire for God's unmerited favor and enabling power to be with Timothy. In the context of the warnings against error, this grace is understood as the divine strength and wisdom necessary for Timothy to stand firm, discern truth, and fulfill his ministry effectively, protecting him from succumbing to the very errors he is called to combat.
"Amen."
This Hebrew-derived word, meaning "truly," "so be it," or "firm," serves as a solemn affirmation. It expresses Paul's conviction in the truth of his preceding words—both the warning and the blessing—and his confidence in God's faithfulness to uphold Timothy and His church. It seals the letter with a powerful declaration of certainty and hope.
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. Warning is central to the first clause, serving as a final, urgent caution against doctrinal deviation, summarizing the epistle's recurrent theme. This warning is immediately followed by a Benediction, "Grace [be] with thee," which functions as a pastoral blessing and a prayer for divine enablement, characteristic of Paul's letter closings. The Juxtaposition of the warning against error and the prayer for grace highlights the twin realities of ministry: the constant threat of spiritual danger and the indispensable need for God's empowering presence. The use of "the faith" as a concise term for the entire body of Christian doctrine is an example of Metonymy, where a concept (faith) stands for the established system of belief. Finally, the concluding "Amen" acts as an Affirmation, lending solemnity and certainty to Paul's message and prayer.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The theological implications of 1 Timothy 6:21 are profound, underscoring the vital importance of doctrinal integrity and the sustaining power of divine grace in the life of a believer and the church. The "faith" here is not merely subjective belief but the objective, revealed truth of God, the "deposit" entrusted to the church. To "err concerning the faith" is to deviate from this divine standard, leading to spiritual shipwreck. Paul consistently emphasizes that genuine piety is inextricably linked to sound doctrine, and that guarding this truth is a primary responsibility for spiritual leaders. The concluding benediction reminds us that while vigilance against error is crucial, it is God's unmerited favor that empowers us to stand firm and fulfill our calling.
Reflection and Application
1 Timothy 6:21 serves as a timeless call to spiritual discernment and reliance on God's grace. In an age of diverse philosophies and shifting truths, the warning against "erring concerning the faith" remains acutely relevant. Believers are exhorted to be vigilant, to test all teachings against the unchanging standard of God's Word, and to guard against subtle deviations that can undermine the foundational truths of the Gospel. This requires a deep commitment to studying Scripture, engaging in sound theological reflection, and cultivating a discerning spirit. Simultaneously, the benediction "Grace [be] with thee" reminds us that this vigilance is not sustained by human effort alone. It is God's unmerited favor, His divine enablement, that empowers us to stand firm, to resist error, and to live out our faith faithfully in a challenging world. We are called to lean into this grace daily, recognizing our dependence on Him for wisdom, strength, and perseverance in the Christian walk.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does Paul mean by "the faith" in this context?
When Paul refers to "the faith" (Greek: hē pístis), especially with the definite article, he is not primarily speaking of subjective personal belief or trust, but rather the objective body of Christian truth and doctrine that was revealed through Christ and the apostles. It encompasses the foundational teachings of the Gospel, the system of Christian belief that was delivered once for all to the saints. This "faith" is the content of what Christians believe and teach, the "deposit" that Timothy was instructed to guard in 1 Timothy 6:20. To "err concerning the faith" means to deviate from or abandon these essential, revealed truths.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While 1 Timothy 6:21 is a direct pastoral charge, its theological undercurrents find ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "faith" that some have erred concerning is not merely a set of abstract doctrines, but the truth revealed in and through Christ Himself, who is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). To deviate from "the faith" is ultimately to deviate from Christ, the very embodiment of truth and the object of our saving belief. He is the one in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). Moreover, the "grace" that Paul prays for Timothy is poured out lavishly through Christ, for "from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace" (John 1:16). It is Christ's empowering grace that enables believers to stand firm against error, to discern truth, and to persevere in sound doctrine, guarding the precious deposit of the Gospel until His glorious return. Thus, the warning and the benediction of 1 Timothy 6:21 are deeply rooted in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the source and sustainer of all true faith and grace.