1 Timothy 6:14 kjv
That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1 Timothy 6:14 nkjv
that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing,
1 Timothy 6:14 niv
to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Timothy 6:14 esv
to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Timothy 6:14 nlt
that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
1 Timothy 6 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Timothy 6:14 | Keep the commandment without blemish and without fault. | Foundation of obedience |
| 1 John 3:9 | Whoever is born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him. | Purity through new birth |
| Philippians 2:15 | That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish | Integrity and blamelessness |
| Hebrews 10:14 | For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being made holy. | Perfection through Christ's sacrifice |
| Romans 8:3-4 | For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending his own Son | God's provision for righteousness |
| Colossians 1:22 | Yet now he has reconciled you in his body of flesh by his death, to present you holy and blameless and above reproach | Reconciliation and holiness |
| 2 Peter 3:14 | Therefore, beloved, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. | Diligence in holiness |
| 1 Corinthians 1:8 | He will sustain you to the end, guiltless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. | Sustained to the end |
| Ephesians 5:27 | that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. | The church's purity |
| John 15:4 | Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine... | Dependence on Christ for fruit |
| Galatians 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control | The Spirit's work in believers |
| 1 Corinthians 15:57 | But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. | Victory over sin |
| 1 Peter 1:15-16 | but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. Just as it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” | Exhortation to holiness |
| Romans 12:1 | I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God... | Living sacrifice |
| James 1:4 | And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. | Perfect and complete life |
| 1 John 1:7 | But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. | Continual cleansing |
| 2 Timothy 2:19 | Nevertheless, the solid foundation of God stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his.” | God's assurance |
| Ephesians 1:4 | even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. | Predestined for holiness |
| Matthew 5:48 | You therefore must be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect. | Command for perfection |
| Hebrews 12:1 | Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely... | Running the race with endurance |
| Romans 6:12 | Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. | Resisting sin's reign |
1 Timothy 6 verses
1 Timothy 6 14 Meaning
This verse is an imperative, commanding believers to keep the commandment without blemish and without fault. It speaks to an ongoing state of obedience to God's commands, which is made possible through Christ's work. This spotless keeping of the commandment is not about achieving sinless perfection by one's own efforts, but rather about living a life surrendered to God's will, preserved by His grace.
1 Timothy 6 14 Context
This verse is found in the closing chapter of Paul's first letter to Timothy. Paul is giving Timothy final instructions, including strong warnings against false teachers and a robust exhortation regarding Christian conduct. The preceding verses (6:11-13) address Timothy personally, calling him to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness, and to fight the good fight of faith. In this specific verse, Paul amplifies the importance of maintaining an impeccable standard of obedience in light of this spiritual warfare and pursuit of godliness. The ultimate context is the believer's responsible stewardship of the Gospel and their personal walk with God, awaiting the glorious appearing of Christ.
1 Timothy 6 14 Word Analysis
- Σὺ (Su): You (singular, second person pronoun). Direct address to Timothy, emphasizing personal responsibility.
- τήρησον (tērēson): Keep, guard, observe. An imperative verb, second person singular, aorist active imperative. It demands an immediate and decisive action, implying diligence and faithfulness. This points to the ongoing necessity of obedience in the believer's life.
- τὴν ἐντολὴν (tēn entolēn): The commandment. Article "tēn" indicates definiteness, referring to a specific commandment or, more broadly, the whole body of Christ's commands. The singular form may encompass the overarching command to love God and neighbor, or the totality of God's will revealed in Scripture.
- ἄσπιλον (aspilon): Without blemish, spotless, unspotted. Adjective describing the state of the commandment or, more contextually, the manner in which it is to be kept. It implies purity, freedom from defilement or corruption. This refers not to the believer's inherent perfectness but to the purity of their obedience from wrong motives or compromise with sin.
- ἀνεπίλημπτον (anepilēmpton): Without fault, blameless, unrebukable. Another adjective reinforcing the standard of impeccability. It suggests an unassailable, unimpeachable quality of conduct or adherence to God's will, free from grounds for legitimate criticism or accusation. This points to a life that can withstand scrutiny without justifiable blame.
Words Group Analysis:
- "τὴν ἐντολὴν ἄσπιλον ἀνεπίλημπτον" (tēn entolēn aspilon anepilēmpton): This phrase encapsulates the high standard of obedience expected. It's not just about outward compliance, but about an inwardly pure and defensible adherence to God's will, reflecting the holiness of God Himself. The purity (aspilon) refers to the moral and spiritual cleanness, while the blamelessness (anepilēmpton) refers to the absence of fault in action or motive, such that no legitimate accusation can be made. This state is achievable not by human effort alone, but by divine enablement through Christ.
1 Timothy 6 14 Bonus Section
The Greek terms used, "ἄσπιλον" (aspilon) and "ἀνεπίλημπτον" (anepilēmpton), highlight the dual aspects of outward action and inward disposition required in Christian living. These terms are often used in contexts describing sacrifices in the Old Testament that were acceptable to God, emphasizing a sinless and perfect offering. For instance, in Exodus 12:5, the Passover lamb was to be "a male of the first year without blemish." This imagery points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is the "lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), and who perfectly fulfilled the law. Our ability to keep the commandment in this manner is therefore entirely dependent on His finished work and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit within us. The passage emphasizes that this is not an achievement but a condition of being, preserved by God and manifested through obedient living.
1 Timothy 6 14 Commentary
Paul's charge to Timothy is to "keep the commandment without blemish and without fault." This isn't a mandate for legalistic self-perfection but a call to a Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered life of obedience. The commandment is not a burden but a guide, reflecting God's perfect nature. "Without blemish" speaks to the purity of motive and heart, free from any sin or defilement. "Without fault" implies a life lived in such a way that it is unassailable, free from blame, even in the face of scrutiny. This state is possible because believers are "in Christ," whose perfect sacrifice makes them righteous. Our keeping of the commandment is therefore an outflow of our redeemed identity, sustained by His grace, and driven by love for Him. It calls for vigilance, unwavering commitment, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
- Practical Application: For believers, this means actively choosing to obey God's word in daily life, purifying our motives, and consistently living according to biblical principles. It is about pressing on in faith, striving for holiness not to earn salvation, but because we are saved. This involves regular self-examination in light of Scripture, seeking forgiveness when we fall short, and relying on the Holy Spirit's power to live a life that honors God.