1 Timothy 6:20
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called "knowledge,"
O Timothy
The address "O Timothy" is deeply personal and affectionate, indicating the close relationship between Paul and his young protégé. The use of "O" adds an emotional and urgent tone, emphasizing the importance of the message. Historically, Timothy was a trusted companion of Paul, often left in charge of churches to ensure sound doctrine. This personal address underscores the responsibility and trust placed upon Timothy.

guard
The Greek word for "guard" is "φυλάσσω" (phylassō), which means to protect or keep watch over. This term conveys a sense of vigilance and active responsibility. In a historical context, guarding was a task given to soldiers or shepherds, indicating the preciousness of what Timothy is to protect. Spiritually, it suggests that the truth of the Gospel is a treasure that requires careful stewardship.

what has been entrusted to you
The phrase "what has been entrusted to you" refers to the deposit of faith and sound doctrine that Timothy received. The Greek term "παραθήκη" (parathēkē) implies something valuable given for safekeeping. This highlights the sacred duty Timothy has to preserve the integrity of the Gospel message amidst false teachings. Historically, this reflects the early church's struggle to maintain doctrinal purity.

Avoid
The word "avoid" comes from the Greek "ἐκτρέπω" (ektrepō), meaning to turn away from or shun. This implies a deliberate and conscious effort to distance oneself from certain behaviors or teachings. In the context of the early church, this was crucial for maintaining the purity of Christian doctrine and practice.

irreverent, empty chatter
"Irreverent, empty chatter" translates the Greek "βεβήλους κενοφωνίας" (bebēlous kenophōnias), which refers to profane and meaningless talk. This phrase warns against engaging in discussions that are devoid of spiritual value and can lead to ungodliness. Historically, such chatter could undermine the authority of the Gospel and distract believers from their faith.

and the opposing arguments
The phrase "and the opposing arguments" refers to the Greek "ἀντιθέσεις" (antitheseis), meaning contradictions or disputes. This suggests intellectual challenges to the faith that are contrary to the truth of the Gospel. In the early church, such arguments often came from Gnostic teachings or other heretical ideas that sought to distort Christian doctrine.

of so-called knowledge
The term "so-called knowledge" translates the Greek "ψευδωνύμου γνώσεως" (pseudōnymou gnōseōs), meaning falsely named knowledge. This is a direct critique of Gnostic beliefs that claimed secret knowledge beyond the Gospel. Paul warns Timothy that such knowledge is deceptive and not rooted in the truth of Christ. Historically, this reflects the early church's battle against heresies that threatened to dilute the core message of Christianity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Timothy
A young pastor and protégé of the Apostle Paul, Timothy was entrusted with the leadership of the church in Ephesus. Paul wrote this letter to guide and encourage him in his pastoral duties.

2. Paul
The Apostle Paul, a foundational figure in the early Christian church, wrote this epistle to Timothy. He was deeply concerned with the preservation of sound doctrine and the spiritual well-being of the church.

3. Ephesus
The city where Timothy was stationed as a church leader. Ephesus was a major center of commerce and culture in the Roman Empire, known for its diverse religious practices and philosophical debates.

4. False Teachers
Individuals in the early church who promoted teachings contrary to the gospel. Paul warns Timothy to be vigilant against their influence.

5. The Deposit
Refers to the gospel and sound doctrine that Paul entrusted to Timothy. It is a sacred trust that Timothy is charged to protect and preserve.
Teaching Points
Guarding the Faith
As believers, we are entrusted with the truth of the gospel. Like Timothy, we must be vigilant in preserving its purity against false teachings and worldly philosophies.

Discernment in Doctrine
It is crucial to discern between sound doctrine and teachings that are merely "empty chatter." This requires a deep understanding of Scripture and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

The Danger of False Knowledge
The "so-called knowledge" Paul refers to can lead believers astray. We must be cautious of teachings that contradict the core tenets of our faith.

The Role of the Church Leader
Church leaders, like Timothy, have a responsibility to protect their congregations from false teachings and to nurture them in sound doctrine.

Reliance on the Holy Spirit
Guarding the deposit is not a task we undertake alone. We must rely on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and strength in this endeavor.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some modern examples of "irreverent, empty chatter" or "so-called knowledge" that can infiltrate the church today?

2. How can we, as individuals and as a church community, actively guard the deposit of faith entrusted to us?

3. In what ways can we cultivate discernment to recognize and avoid false teachings?

4. How does the role of the Holy Spirit assist us in guarding the truth of the gospel?

5. Reflect on a time when you encountered teachings that challenged your faith. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Timothy 1:14
Paul again urges Timothy to guard the good deposit with the help of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the divine assistance available in this task.

Colossians 2:8
Paul warns the Colossians against being taken captive by hollow and deceptive philosophy, similar to his warning to Timothy about "so-called knowledge."

1 Corinthians 1:20
Paul questions the wisdom of the world, highlighting the futility of human knowledge compared to God's wisdom, which aligns with his warning against "irreverent, empty chatter."
Parting WordsR. Finlayson 1 Timothy 6:17-21
Concluding Exhortation and BenedictionT. Croskery 1 Timothy 6:20, 21
Peril and PreservationA. Rowland, LL. B.1 Timothy 6:20-21
Science and TheologyW. A. Snively, D. D.1 Timothy 6:20-21
The Guarding of the DepositG. Whittaker, M. A.1 Timothy 6:20-21
People
Paul, Philemon, Pilate, Timotheus, Timothy
Places
Ephesus
Topics
Arguments, Avoid, Avoiding, Babblings, Care, Chatter, Committed, Contradictions, Controversy, Deposit, Empty, Entrusted, Falsely, Falsely-named, False-named, Foolish, Frivolous, Godless, Guard, Ideas, Irreligious, Named, O, Opposing, Opposition, Oppositions, Profane, Science, Shunning, Talk, Timotheus, Timothy, Trust, Truths, Turn, Turning, Vain, Vain-words, Worldly, Wrong
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Timothy 6:20

     5330   guard
     5556   stewardship
     5802   care
     8251   faithfulness, to God
     8354   trustworthiness
     8468   renunciation
     8748   false religion

1 Timothy 6:20-21

     5293   defence, human
     5302   education
     5441   philosophy
     5933   restlessness
     6169   godlessness
     7944   ministry, qualifications
     8028   faith, body of beliefs
     8316   orthodoxy, in NT
     8353   tolerance
     8707   apostasy, personal
     8723   doubt, results of
     8724   doubt, dealing with
     8749   false teachers
     8750   false teachings
     8846   ungodliness

Library
The Conduct that Secures the Real Life
'Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.'--1 TIM. vi. 19. In the first flush of the sense of brotherhood, the Church of Jerusalem tried the experiment of having all things in common. It was not a success, it was soon abandoned, it never spread. In the later history of the Church, and especially in these last Pauline letters, we see clearly that distinctions of pecuniary position were very definitely marked amongst the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

One Witness, Many Confessors
'Thou . . . hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 13. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession, 14. That thou keep this commandment. . . .'--1 TIM. vi. 12-14. You will observe that 'a good confession,' or rather 'the good confession,' is said here to have been made both by Timothy and by Christ. But you will observe also that whilst the subject-matter is the same, the action
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

August the Thirty-First the Real Gains and Losses
"Godliness with contentment is great gain." --1 TIMOTHY vi. 6-16. And so I must go into my heart if I would make a true estimate of my gains and losses. The calculation is not to be made in my bank-books, or as I stride over my broad acres, or inspect my well-filled barns. These are the mere outsides of things, and do not enter into the real balance-sheet of my life. We can no more estimate the success of a life by methods like these than we can adjudge an oil-painting by the sense of smell. What
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Temporal Advantages.
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."--1 Tim. vi. 7, 8. Every age has its own special sins and temptations. Impatience with their lot, murmuring, grudging, unthankfulness, discontent, are sins common to men at all times, but I suppose one of those sins which belongs to our age more than to another, is desire of a greater portion of worldly goods than God has given us,--ambition and covetousness
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

Fighting Holiness
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life.' (1 Timothy vi. 12.) My object, in announcing 'Fighting Holiness' as my subject, is to make it quite clear that a Full Salvation does not mean a hot-house emotionalism or glass-case sanctity, but a vigorous, daring, aggressive religion, on the lines of the Saviour's words, 'The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force'. If this text, 'Fight the good fight of faith', means anything at all, it means you must
T. H. Howard—Standards of Life and Service

A Plain Description of the Essence and Attributes of God, Out of the Holy Scripture, So Far as Every Christian must Competently Know, and Necessarily Believe, that Will be Saves.
Although no creature can define what God is, because he is incomprehensible (Psal. cxliii. 3) and dwelling in inaccessible light (1 Tim. vi. 16); yet it has pleased his majesty to reveal himself to us in his word, so far as our weak capacity can best conceive him. Thus: God is that one spiritual and infinitely perfect essence, whose being is of himself eternally (Deut. i. 4; iv. 35; xxxii. 39; vi. 4; Isa. xlv. 5-8; 1 Cor. viii. 4; Eph. iv. 5, 6; 1 Tim. ii. 5; John iv. 24; 2 Cor. iii. 17; 1 Kings
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Final Settlement of the Church by St. John
A.D. 67-100 It seems probable that most of the Apostles had entered into rest before the Destruction of Jerusalem, A.D. 70, and that St. John the Divine was the only one of the Apostolic body who long survived that event. [Sidenote: St. Peter began to found the Church, St. John completed its foundation.] To St. Peter, one of the "pillars" of the Church, it had been given to begin the great work of laying the foundation of the Mystical Temple of God; to St. John, the other of the two, was allotted
John Henry Blunt—A Key to the Knowledge of Church History

Spoken in Antioch in the Old Church, as it was Called...
Spoken in Antioch in the Old Church, as it was called, while he was a presbyter, on the subject of the calamity that had befallen the city in consequence of the tumult connected with the overthrow of the Statues of the Emperor Theodosius, the Great and Pious. And on the saying of the Apostle, "Charge them that are rich that they be not high-minded," 1 Timothy vi. 17. And against covetousness. 1. What shall I say, or what shall I speak of? The present season is one for tears, and not for words; for
St. Chrysostom—On the Priesthood

Exposition of St. Paul's Words. --1 Tim. vi. 20.
Exposition of St. Paul's Words.--1 Tim. vi. 20. [51.] Such being the case, when I think over these things, and revolve them in my mind again and again, I cannot sufficiently wonder at the madness of certain men, at the impiety of their blinded understanding, at their lust of error, such that, not content with the rule of faith delivered once for all, and received from the times of old, they are every day seeking one novelty after another, and are constantly longing to add, change, take away, in religion,
Vincent of Lérins—The COMMONITORY OF Vincent of Lérins

A More Particular Exposition of 1 Tim. ...
A more particular Exposition of 1 Tim. vi. 20. [53.] But it is worth while to expound the whole of that passage of the apostle more fully, "O Timothy, keep the deposit, avoiding profane novelties of words." "O!" The exclamation implies fore-knowledge as well as charity. For he mourned in anticipation over the errors which he foresaw. Who is the Timothy of to-day, but either generally the Universal Church, or in particular, the whole body of The Prelacy, whom it behoves either themselves to possess
Vincent of Lérins—The COMMONITORY OF Vincent of Lérins

Continuation of the Exposition of 1 Tim. ...
Continuation of the Exposition of 1 Tim. vi. 20. [60.] But let us return to the apostle. "O Timothy," he says, "Guard the deposit, shunning profane novelties of words." "Shun them as you would a viper, as you would a scorpion, as you would a basilisk, lest they smite you not only with their touch, but even with their eyes and breath." What is "to shun"? Not even to eat [502] with a person of this sort. What is "shun"? "If anyone," says St. John, "come to you and bring not this doctrine. What doctrine?
Vincent of Lérins—The COMMONITORY OF Vincent of Lérins

The Light of Glory.
Having, in the foregoing chapters, endeavored to form an idea of heaven's happiness, we must now endeavor to understand something of the different degrees in which each one of the blessed enjoys that unspeakable beatitude. It is an article of faith that every one in heaven, except baptized infants, is rewarded according to his own personal merits, acquired in this life by the assistance of God's grace. Baptized children, who die before they reach the age of discretion, are admitted into heaven, in
F. J. Boudreaux—The Happiness of Heaven

Wherefore Even they which Having Relinquished or Distributed their Former...
33. Wherefore even they which having relinquished or distributed their former, whether ample or in any sort opulent, means, have chosen with pious and wholesome humility to be numbered among the poor of Christ; if they be so strong in body and free from ecclesiastical occupations, (albeit, bringing as they do so great a proof of their purpose, and conferring from their former havings, either very much, or not a little, upon the indigence of the same society, the common fund itself and brotherly charity
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

How Servants and Masters are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 6). Differently to be admonished are servants and masters. Servants, to wit, that they ever keep in view the humility of their condition; but masters, that they lose not recollection of their nature, in which they are constituted on an equality with servants. Servants are to be admonished that they despise not their masters, lest they offend God, if by behaving themselves proudly they gainsay His ordinance: masters, too, are to be admonished, that they are proud against God with respect
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

How the Poor and the Rich Should be Admonished.
(Admonition 3.) Differently to be admonished are the poor and the rich: for to the former we ought to offer the solace of comfort against tribulation, but in the latter to induce fear as against elation. For to the poor one it is said by the Lord through the prophet, Fear not, for thou shalt not be confounded (Isai. liv. 4). And not long after, soothing her, He says, O thou poor little one, tossed with tempest (Ibid. 11). And again He comforts her, saying, I have chosen thee in the furnace of
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Conflict and Comfort.
"For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ."--COL. ii. 1, 2. Although he was in prison the Apostle was constantly at work for his Master, and not least of all at the work of prayer. If ever the words
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God," &C.
Matt. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God," &c. O "seekest thou great things for thyself," says God to Baruch, (Jer. xlv. 5) "seek them not." How then doth he command us in the text to seek a kingdom? Is not this a great thing? Certainly it is greater than those great things he would not have Baruch to seek after, and yet he charges us to seek after it. In every kind of creatures there is some difference, some greater, some lesser, some higher, some lower; so there are some men far above
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Letter Xlvii to the Brother of William, a Monk of Clairvaux.
To the Brother of William, a Monk of Clairvaux. [74] Bernard, after having made a striking commendation of religious poverty, reproaches in him an affection too great for worldly things, to the detriment of the poor and of his own soul, so that he preferred to yield them up only to death, rather than for the love of Christ. 1. Although you are unknown to me by face, and although distant from me in body, yet you are my friend, and this friendship between us makes you to be present and familiar to
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

A Few Sighs from Hell;
or, The Groans of the Damned Soul: or, An Exposition of those Words in the Sixteenth of Luke, Concerning the Rich Man and the Beggar WHEREIN IS DISCOVERED THE LAMENTABLE STATE OF THE DAMNED; THEIR CRIES, THEIR DESIRES IN THEIR DISTRESSES, WITH THE DETERMINATION OF GOD UPON THEM. A GOOD WARNING WORD TO SINNERS, BOTH OLD AND YOUNG, TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BETIMES, AND TO SEEK, BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, TO AVOID, LEST THEY COME INTO THE SAME PLACE OF TORMENT. Also, a Brief Discourse touching the
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

"For to be Carnally Minded is Death; but to be Spiritually Minded is Life and Peace. "
Rom. viii. 6.--"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." It is true, this time is short, and so short that scarce can similitudes or comparisons be had to shadow it out unto us. It is a dream, a moment, a vapour, a flood, a flower, and whatsoever can be more fading or perishing; and therefore it is not in itself very considerable, yet in another respect it is of all things the most precious, and worthy of the deepest attention and most serious consideration;
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Age of the Apostles (Ad 33-100)
The beginning of the Christian Church is reckoned from the great day on which the Holy Ghost came down, according as our Lord had promised to His Apostles. At that time, "Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven," were gathered together at Jerusalem, to keep the Feast of Pentecost (or Feast of Weeks), which was one of the three holy seasons at which God required His people to appear before Him in the place which He had chosen (Deuteronomy xvi. 16). Many of these devout men there converted
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

"But we are all as an Unclean Thing, and all Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags,"
Isaiah lxiv 6, 7.--"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags," &c. This people's condition agreeth well with ours, though the Lord's dealing be very different. The confessory part of this prayer belongeth to us now; and strange it is, that there is such odds of the Lord's dispensations, when there is no difference in our conditions; always we know not how soon the complaint may be ours also. This prayer was prayed long before the judgment and captivity came
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Unchangeableness of God
The next attribute is God's unchangeableness. I am Jehovah, I change not.' Mal 3:3. I. God is unchangeable in his nature. II. In his decree. I. Unchangeable in his nature. 1. There is no eclipse of his brightness. 2. No period put to his being. [1] No eclipse of his brightness. His essence shines with a fixed lustre. With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.' James 1:17. Thou art the same.' Psa 102:27. All created things are full of vicissitudes. Princes and emperors are subject to
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Links
1 Timothy 6:20 NIV
1 Timothy 6:20 NLT
1 Timothy 6:20 ESV
1 Timothy 6:20 NASB
1 Timothy 6:20 KJV

1 Timothy 6:20 Commentaries

Bible Hub
1 Timothy 6:19
Top of Page
Top of Page