Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 73

Paul Urges Timothy to Guard 'The Faith'

1 Timothy 6:20-21 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. KJV

In closing this first letter to Brother Timothy, the Apostle Paul now sums up all the commands and exhortations that he has transmitted to Timothy by urging him with these very powerful words, "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:" (1 Timothy 6:20) (KJV). Paul has urged Timothy to wage war (1 Timothy 1:18) against the devil and his principalities and powers working in and through the human instruments to denigrate, defame, and disparage the Gospel of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. Now as he closes this first letter to Timothy (not knowing for certain that he would even have an opportunity to write to him again) he exhorts Timothy with these words, 'keep that which is committed to thy trust', and the little English word 'keep' that begins this phrase is translated by the Greek word phulassō which means (as it is used by Paul here) to watch, that is, be on guard (literally or figuratively); it is the aorist tense expressing action that is needed now and urgency in that action, also by implication to preserve past action) without indicating its completion or continuation.  The human family uses lots of manpower to guard the places, people, and property that is very valuable and important, therefore, how much more diligent should we believers be while here sojourning on the earth to guard and protect 'the faith' which was handed down to us by the Apostles received from our Lord Jesus Christ personally, just as Paul had also exhorted the Church @ Thessalonica to do likewise with these words written to them, "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions {and} instructions which you were taught by us, whether by our word of mouth or by letter." (2 Thessalonians 2:15) (Amplified Bible).

The somewhat lengthy phrase 'that which is committed to thy trust' is translated by one somewhat lengthy Greek word parakatathēkē (used only one other time in the New Testament) meaning something put down alongside, that is, a deposit (sacred trust): - that (thing) which is committed (unto trust). The Gospel of Christ is sacred, for it is the only way any human sinner can be forgiven of sin and reconciled to God the Father, there is no other way (John 14:6), therefore, 'the faith' that is given by our Lord Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit when a human sinner hears and believes the Gospel is likewise sacred and never to be compromised. Timothy then and we true believers today and of every era and generation must hold the Gospel of Christ as such a sacred deposit to mankind and guard it within our inner man and inner woman, then communicate it to others that they might be reconciled to God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about Timothy guarding what was committed to his trust, "That is, the Gospel, see 1 Timothy 1:11 which is a rich treasure put into earthen vessels, and ought to be kept pure and uncorrupt, and faithfully dispensed, and diligently preserved, that so it may be continued genuine and sincere, and not be either adulterated and depraved, or be taken away by false teachers. And it may also include his gifts for the ministration of it, which were to be kept in use, and stirred up, and not neglected, but cultivated and improved to the advantage of the Church, and of the interest of Christ."

When Paul writes 'avoiding profane and vain babblings', he means controversies produced by teachings that were in opposition to faith alone in Christ Jesus and promoted works of the old Mosaic law or of any kind. The English word 'avoiding' is translated by the Greek word ektrepō meaning to deflect, that is, turn away (literally or figuratively): - avoid, turn (aside, out of the way). The English word 'profane' is translated by the Greek word bebēlos meaning (as used here) that is, (by implication of Jewish notions) heathenish, wicked: - profane (person). The little English phrase 'vain babblings' is translated by the Greek word kenophōnia (used only one other time in the New Testament) meaning empty sounding, that is, fruitless discussion: - vain. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about such profane vain empty babblings, "About the law, and circumcision, and other things, which the false teachers insisted much on, and amused their hearers with; and which were vain, empty, useless, and unprofitable talk. Some copies, and so the Vulgate Latin version, read, 'profane newnesses of words'; or new words, which ought not to be introduced, for they often bring in new doctrines: the form of sound words, the wholesome words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, the words which the Holy Ghost teacheth, should be held fast; and especially all new words should be avoided, which are contrary to them, or in the least weaken them, or detract from them."

When Paul writes 'and oppositions of science falsely so called', he means the great swelling words written by many of the Greek philosophers in that day and before that day, from men like Plato, Aristotle (who learned under Plato and taught Alexander the Great and we know how it ended badly for him). The English word 'oppositions' is translated by the Greek word antithesis (also our English word) (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning opposition, that is, a conflict (of theories): - exact opposite. The English word 'science' is translated by the Greek word gnōsis meaning knowing (the act), that is, (by implication) knowledge: - knowledge, science. The little English phrase 'falsely so called' is translated by the Greek word pseudōnumos (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning untruly named: - falsely so called. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning science falsely so called, "The false teachers boasted of their science and knowledge, but it was not true, solid, spiritual, and saving; it was not an experimental knowledge of the Gospel; it was not the excellent knowledge of Christ, which has eternal life connected with it; it was merely notional and speculative; it was idle, empty, and useless, mere Pagan philosophy, and vain deceit, upon which they formed antitheses, or oppositions and objections to the truths of the Gospel; and even opposed themselves, and the Word of God, as well as the faithful ministers of it. (Knowledge is not determined by a 'show of hands'. Even though the majority of people believe something, that does not make it true. The majority today do not believe in Noah's flood, 2 Peter 3:4. It was so in Noah's day also, but the unbelievers all drowned! Many fervently believe in evolution and try to compromise the Scriptures with it. This verse stands as a stark warning to those who do not try everything through God's Word. Isaiah 8:20."

Paul warns Timothy of some in that day who had professed to believe in God by believing the Gospel of Christ, yet they were pretenders, that is, people who professed beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives, so Paul declares this to Brother Timothy with these words, "Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen." (1 Timothy 6:21) (KJV). The English word 'professing' is translated by the Greek word epaggellō which means to announce upon (reflexively), that is, (by implication) to engage to do something, to assert something respecting oneself. The little English phrase 'have erred' is translated by the Greek word astocheō meaning (as used here) (figuratively) deviate from truth: - err, swerve. In other words, some that had announced, asserted, and advertised their faith in Jesus Christ were proven to be liars, for instead their deviation from 'the faith' proved their salvation never happened, because those of us who have been truly redeemed, regenerated, and resurrected by the 'Blood of the Lamb' (Revelation 7:14 & Revelation 12:11) hold fast, firm, and forever to the truth of the Gospel and to the truth of the Word of God. Note: "Some of those pretenders today can be found in great cathedrals/churches, even preaching from the pulpit of such places, yet they don't believe in the Bodily Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the grave and they don't believe that He (Christ) was born of a virgin woman and they don't believe in the inerrancy of the Word of God and many other things they believe not as is recorded for us in the Word of God, yet they profess to be Christians! Please, hell is right now at this very moment filled with souls who professed to be a Christian on the earth, yet they never truly believed unto salvation as declared by Paul in Romans 10:9-10." Paul concludes this first letter to Timothy by imparting to him a blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ 'grace' unto him and this English word is translated by the Greek word charis meaning (as used here) the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude).

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…