1 Timothy 6:14

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Timothy 6:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “that thou keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

that thou keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1 Timothy 6:14 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Timothy 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14that thou keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“That thou keep this commandment, etc.] Meaning either what he had now last of all enjoined him, to fight the good fight of faith; or the whole of the orders he had given him throughout the epistle, relating both to the doctrine and discipline of the house of God; or rather the work and office of preaching the Gospel, which was committed to him by the Holy Ghost, and enjoined him by the commandment of the everlasting God: and this the apostle, before God and Christ, charges him to observe and keep, in the following manner, without spot, and unrebukeable; the sense is, that he would discharge his ministerial function with all faithfulness and purity; that he would sincerely, and without any…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“keep this commandment--Greek, "the commandment," that is, the Gospel rule of life (Ti1 1:5; Joh 13:34; Pe2 2:21; Pe2 3:2). without spot, unrebukeable--agreeing with "thou." Keep the commandment and so be without spot," &c. "Pure" (Ti1 5:22; Eph 5:27; Jam 1:27; Pe2 3:14). until the appearing of . . . Christ--His coming in person (Th2 2:8; Tit 2:13). Believers then used in their practice to set before themselves the day of Christ as near at hand; we, the hour of death [BENGEL]. The fact has in all ages of the Church been certain, the time as uncertain to Paul, as it is to us; hence, Ti1 6:15, he says, "in HIS times": the Church's true attitude is that of continual expectation of her Lord's…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“That thou keep this commandment - Referring particularly to the solemn injunction which he had just given him, to “fight the good fight of faith,” but perhaps also including all that he had enjoined on him. Without spot - It seems harsh, and is unusual, to apply the epithet, “without spot” - ἄσπιλος aspilos - to a command or doctrine, and the passage may be so construed that this may be understood as referring to Timothy himself - “That thou keep the commandment so that thou mayest be without spot and unrebukable.” See Bloomfield, Crit. Dig., in loc. The word here rendered “without spot,” occurs in the New Testament only here and in James 1:27; 1Pe 1:19; 2 Peter 3:14. It means without any…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:14 until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again (literally until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ): Christ’s comings, both past (2 Tim 1:10; Titus 2:11) and future (2 Tim 4:1, 8; Titus 2:13), are described in the letters to Timothy and Titus as “epiphanies” or “appearances.” An epiphany is a divine intervention in a particular historical moment. The church is positioned between these past and future appearances of Christ. Christ’s first, saving epiphany made possible a new life; his future epiphany will achieve final salvation. Though the present is evil (the “last times,” 1 Tim 4:1-3; 2 Tim 3:1-9), our anticipation of Christ’s appearance creates accountability for living a godly life in…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“keep: Ti1 6:20, Ti1 4:11-16; Ch1 28:9, Ch1 28:10, Ch1 28:20; Col 4:17 without: Sol 4:7; Eph 5:27; Heb 9:14; Pe1 1:19; Pe2 3:14 unrebukeable: Phi 2:15; Col 1:22; Jde 1:24 until: Co1 1:8; Phi 1:6, Phi 1:10; Th1 3:13, Th1 5:23; Th2 2:1; Ti2 4:1; Tit 2:13; Heb 9:28; Pe1 1:7; Jo1 3:2; Rev 1:7 1 Timothy 6:15”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification