1 Timothy 6

1 Timothy · Chapter 6

1 Timothy 6:14

1Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.6But godliness with contentment is great gain.7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;14That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:15Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:21Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
14That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:Keep this commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ,that thou keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

This verse sits in Paul's closing charge to Timothy (6:11-16). After warning against false teachers and the love of money, Paul tells Timothy to flee those things and fight the good fight of faith. He then charges him before God and Christ to keep this commandment faithfully until Jesus Christ appears. 1 Timothy 6:101 Timothy 6:111 Timothy 6:121 Timothy 6:131 Timothy 6:141 Timothy overview

SpeakingPaul the apostle, who names himself as the writer. Many critical scholars think a follower wrote the letter in Paul's name, while others defend Paul's authorship. 1 Timothy overview

ToTimothy, Paul's younger co-worker, whom Paul calls 'O man of God' and had left to lead the church at Ephesus. 1 Timothy overview1 Timothy 6:111 Timothy 6:20

Also involvedThe church at Ephesus is affected indirectly. Timothy's faithfulness shapes how he teaches and charges others, such as the rich (6:17). 1 Timothy overview1 Timothy 6:171 Timothy 4:16

Paul gives Timothy a solemn charge to keep 'this commandment' spotless and beyond reproach until Christ's appearing. The text does not spell out exactly what 'this commandment' covers. The nearest context is the call to flee evil, pursue godliness, and hold fast his profession of faith. 1 Timothy 6:111 Timothy 6:121 Timothy 6:131 Timothy 6:14

Timothy was in Ephesus, a wealthy port city and capital of the Roman province of Asia, known for its temple of Artemis. The text does not say where Paul wrote from, though he may have been in Macedonia. 1 Timothy overview

ACHAIAASIAGALATIAAegean SeaEphesusLaodiceaMiletusPhilippiThessalonicaCorinth

The eventsThe charge comes while Timothy is leading the church in Ephesus and Paul is away, having gone on to Macedonia. It looks ahead to a future time: the appearing of Christ, 'which in his times he shall shew.' 1 Timothy overview1 Timothy 6:15

WrittenTraditional: about AD 62-64, between Paul's two Roman imprisonments. Scholarly: many critical scholars date it around AD 80-110. 1 Timothy overview

HerePaul wants Timothy to stay faithful to the end, unlike those who 'erred from the faith' through love of money or empty talk. The charge carries extra weight because it is given 'in the sight of God' and before Christ, who made a good confession before Pilate. 1 Timothy 6:101 Timothy 6:131 Timothy 6:201 Timothy 6:21

In the whole of ScriptureThe letter teaches that sound belief and godly living belong together. Looking toward Christ's appearing is a reason to live faithfully now, a theme other New Testament letters share. 1 Timothy overviewTitus 2:131 Thessalonians 5:232 Peter 3:14

For readersFaithfulness is meant to last, not just to start well. Believers are called to live so that no charge against them would stick, with their eyes on Christ's return. 1 Timothy 6:142 Peter 3:141 Peter 1:7

  • commandmentἐντολή
    Greek · entolē · G1785

    The word can mean a general charge or order, not only a law code. Here it likely points to the charge Paul has just given Timothy rather than to a single rule. Strong's G17851 Timothy 6:13

  • unrebukeableἀνεπίληπτος
    Greek · anepilēptos · G0423

    This is the same word used for church leaders in 3:2. It is stronger than simply having a good name: it means being deservedly beyond reproach. Strong's G0423

  • without spotἄσπιλος
    Greek · aspilos · G0784

    The word means spotless or unstained. 2 Peter 3:14 uses it of believers found "without spot." Strong's G07842 Peter 3:14

  • appearingἐπιφάνεια
    Greek · epiphaneia · G2015

    In Greek of the time this word was often used for a god showing himself. Paul uses it for Christ's future visible coming, as in Titus 2:13. Strong's G2015Titus 2:13

Takeaway

Paul solemnly charges Timothy, and through him the church, to keep faith pure and blameless for the long haul. The sure hope of Christ's appearing is the reason to do so. 1 Timothy 6:131 Timothy 6:141 Timothy 6:15

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-22.

The world around the text

About AD 62-64. Roman emperor: Nero (AD 54-68). Where Timothy was when Paul wrote. A port city on the west coast of today's Turkey and the greatest market of the province of Asia.

Who ruled
  • Roman emperorNeroAD 54-68

    Emperor over the whole Roman world, including Ephesus, Macedonia and Judea. When Paul appealed to Caesar as a Roman citizen, the Caesar was Nero. Paul tells Timothy to have prayers made "for kings, and for all that are in authority." Acts 25:10-12Acts 28:161 Timothy 2:1-2Suetonius, NeroTacitus, Annals 13-16

  • Governor of the province where Ephesus stoodThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms

    Asia was governed by a proconsul, a former consul appointed by the Senate for a year at a time, who heard cases in the province's leading cities. During the riot in Ephesus the town clerk reminded the crowd that "the law is open, and there are deputies" (proconsuls). Acts 19:38-39Strabo, Geography 17.3.25

  • Jewish client kingHerod Agrippa IIc. AD 50-90s

    Ruled territories north and east of Galilee under Rome and had the right to appoint the high priest in Jerusalem. He heard Paul's defense with Festus and told him, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts 25:13Acts 26:28Josephus, Antiquities 20.179, 20.203

  • Roman governors of JudeaFestus, Albinus and Florusc. AD 59-66

    Porcius Festus sent Paul to Rome and died in office around AD 62. Lucceius Albinus (62-64) and Gessius Florus (64-66) followed; Josephus blames Florus's greed and brutality for pushing Judea into revolt. Acts 24:27Acts 25:12Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203, 20.252-258Josephus, Jewish War 2.271-308

  • King of ParthiaVologases Ic. AD 51-78

    Ruler of the Parthian empire east of the Euphrates, Rome's one great rival. He fought Rome over Armenia until a settlement in AD 63 let his brother Tiridates rule Armenia as Rome's client. Tacitus, Annals 15.1-17, 15.24-31Cassius Dio, Roman History 62.19-23

What was happening, AD 58 to AD 68
  1. AD 58-63
    WarRome and Parthia fight over Armenia

    Roman armies under Corbulo took the Armenian capitals Artaxata and Tigranocerta. In AD 62 a second Roman army under Paetus surrendered at Rhandeia, and in AD 63 the two empires made peace. Tacitus, Annals 13.34-41, 14.23-26, 15.1-17, 15.24-31

  2. AD 60
    DisasterEarthquake destroys Laodicea

    Laodicea, about 150 km (95 miles) east of Ephesus in the same province, was ruined by an earthquake and rebuilt from its own wealth without help from Rome. Paul's letters mention the church there, and Revelation later quotes the city's boast, "I am rich." Tacitus, Annals 14.27Colossians 4:13-16Revelation 3:17

  3. AD 60-61
    WarBoudica's revolt in Britain

    Boudica, queen of the Iceni, led a rising that burned Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London) and Verulamium before the Roman governor Suetonius Paulinus defeated her. Tacitus, Annals 14.29-39

  4. c. AD 60-62
    The churchPaul under guard in Rome

    Paul lived two whole years in Rome under house arrest, receiving visitors and preaching openly. The traditional date for 1 Timothy places it soon after his release. Acts 28:16Acts 28:30-31

  5. c. AD 61-63
    DiscoveryNero's expedition up the Nile

    Nero sent a party of soldiers to find the source of the Nile. They travelled far beyond Egypt and reached vast marshes they could not cross, likely the Sudd in today's South Sudan. The date is approximate. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.8.3-4Pliny, Natural History 6.181

  6. AD 62
    The churchJames, the Lord's brother, is killed in Jerusalem

    Festus died in office. Before the next governor arrived, the high priest Ananus had "James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ" and others stoned. Ananus was removed after three months. Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203Galatians 1:19Acts 15:13

  7. AD 62 or 63
    DisasterEarthquake hits Pompeii

    An earthquake badly damaged Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, seventeen years before Vesuvius buried them. Seneca dates it to AD 62; Tacitus to AD 63. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.1Tacitus, Annals 15.22

  8. c. AD 62
    DiscoveryHero of Alexandria's machines

    The engineer Hero of Alexandria, whose work is dated by an eclipse of AD 62 he describes, wrote up a steam-spun sphere (the aeolipile) and a coin-operated machine that dispensed water in temples. Hero, Pneumatics 1.21, 2.11Hero, Dioptra 35

  9. c. AD 63-64
    BuildingJerusalem's temple is finished

    Work on the temple Herod began around 20 BC was completed under Albinus, leaving some 18,000 workers without jobs. Six years later Roman armies destroyed it, as Jesus had foretold. Josephus, Antiquities 20.219-222John 2:20Luke 21:5-6

  10. July AD 64
    DisasterThe Great Fire of Rome

    Fire burned for days. Of Rome's fourteen districts, three were destroyed and seven badly damaged. Nero then built his vast Golden House on the cleared land. Tacitus, Annals 15.38-43Suetonius, Nero 31, 38

  11. AD 64
    The churchNero blames and kills Christians

    To end rumours that he had started the fire, Nero blamed the Christians of Rome. Tacitus records a "vast multitude" put to death, some torn by dogs and some burned as torches. Tacitus, Annals 15.44Suetonius, Nero 16.2

  12. AD 65
    RulersA plot against Nero fails

    The Pisonian conspiracy to kill Nero was betrayed. Among those forced to take their own lives was Seneca, Nero's former tutor and the brother of Gallio, the governor who dismissed the case against Paul in Corinth. Tacitus, Annals 15.48-74Acts 18:12-17

  13. AD 66
    WarThe Jewish revolt begins

    After Florus seized money from the temple treasury, Jerusalem rose against Rome and the daily sacrifice offered for the emperor was stopped. The war ended with Jerusalem and its temple destroyed in AD 70. Josephus, Jewish War 2.293-308, 2.409-410Luke 21:20-24

  14. AD 66-67
    BuildingNero tours Greece and starts a canal at Corinth

    Nero competed in the Greek games and broke ground for a canal across the Isthmus of Corinth. The work stopped after his death; the canal was finally cut in 1893. Suetonius, Nero 19, 22-24

  15. c. AD 67
    The churchPaul's death in Rome

    In his last letter Paul writes from prison that "the time of my departure is at hand." Early Christian tradition says he was beheaded in Rome under Nero. 2 Timothy 4:6-8Eusebius, Church History 2.25

  16. June AD 68
    RulersNero dies

    Facing revolt in the provinces and declared an enemy by the Senate, Nero took his own life. Four emperors ruled in turn during the following year before Vespasian took power. Suetonius, Nero 47-49Tacitus, Histories 1.2

The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then the ancient historians who wrote about these years (Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Seneca, Pliny the Elder, Strabo, Cassius Dio). Dates are as those writers give them; approximate dates say so. Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
to keepτηρῆσαίtērēsaiG5083G
to keep: observe

τηρέω (tēreō) τηρέω, -ῶ [in LXX for שָׁמַר, נָצַר, etc. ;] 1. to watch over, guard, keep, preserve: Mat.27:36, Act.16:23, al.; ἑαυτόν, 2Co.11:9, 1Ti.5:22, Jas.1:27, Ju 21; before εἰς, Jhn.12:7, Act.25:21, 1Pe.1:4, 2Pe.2:4 2:9 3:7, Ju 6; ἐν, Jhn.17:11-12, Ju 21; ἐκ, Jhn.17:15, Rev.3:10; τ. πίστιν, 2Ti.4:7, Rev.14:12; τ. ἑνότητα τ. πνεύματος, Eph.4:3. …

youσεseG4771
you

σέ (se) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; …

commandmentἐντολὴνentolēnG1785
commandment

ἐντολή (entolē) ἐντολή, -ῆς, ἡ (ἐντέλλω, which see), [in LXX chiefly for מִצְוָה; in pl. frequently in Pss for פִּקּוּד ;] 1. generally, a charge, injunction, order, command: Luk.15:29, Jhn.10:18 11:57 12:49-50 14:31, Act.17:15, Col.4:10; ἐ. σαρκίνη, Heb.7:16, 18 2. Esp. of religious precepts and commandments; …

without stain,ἄσπιλον,aspilonG0784
spotless

ἄσπιλος (aspilos) ἄ-σπιλος, -ον (ἀ- neg., σπῖλος) [in Sm.: Job.15:15 (LXX, καθαρός)* ;] spotless, unstained: 1Pe.1:19; metaphorically, 1Ti.6:14, Jas.1:27, 2Pe.3:14 (for exx., see MM, see word).† SYN.: ἀμίαντος, ἄμωμος (AS)

above reproachἀνεπίλημπτονanepilēmptonG0423
irreproachable

ἀνεπίληπτος (anepilēptos) ἀν-επί-λημπτος (Rec. -λμπτος; Bl., § 6, 8), -ον (ἀ- ἐπιλαμβάνω) without reproach: 1Ti.3:2 5:7 6:14.† SYN.: ἀμεμπτος, ἀνέγκλητος. It is stronger than these, for it implies not only that the man is of good report, but that he is deservedly so (cf. MM, VGT, see word). (AS)

untilμέχριmechriG3360
until

μέχρι (mechri) μέχρι (bef. consonants, exc. Luk.16:16, μέχρι Ἰωάνου) and μέχρις (bef. vowels, Mk, Ga, ll. with, Heb.12:4; see Bl., § 5, 4) 1. as prep., with genitive, as far as, even to, until; (a) of place: Rom.15:19; (b) of time : Mat.11:23 13:30 28:15, Luk.16:16, Act.10:30 20:7, Rom.5:14, 1Ti.6:14, Heb.3:6, 14 9:10; (with) of measure or degree : Php.2:8, 30, 2Ti.2:9, Heb.12:4 (μ. αἵματος, cf. 2Ma.13:14). …

appearingἐπιφανείαςepiphaneiasG2015
appearing

ἐπιφάνεια (epiphaneia) ἐπιφάνεια, -ας, ἡ (ἐπιφανής), [in LXX: 2Ki.7:23 (יָרֵא), Est.5:1, Amo.5:22, 2Ma.2:21 2Mac 3:24 2Mac 5:4 2Mac 12:22 2Mac 14:16 2Mac 15:27, 3Ma.2:9 3Mac 5:8 3Mac 5:51,* ;] (in late Gk. and Inscr., frequently of deities, see MM, Exp., xiv) a manifestation, appear­ance: 2Th.2:8, 1Ti.6:14, 2Ti.1:10 4:1 4:8, Tit.2:13 (cf. M, Th., 148 f.).† (AS)

LordκυρίουkuriouG2962G
lord: God

κύριος (kurios) κύριος, -α, -ον (also -ος, -ον), [in LXX (subst.) chiefly for יהוה, also for בַּעַל ,אָדוֹן, etc. ;] having power (κῦρος) or authority; as subst., ὁ κ., lord, master; 1. in general: with genitive of thing(s), Mat.9:38 20:8, Mrk.12:9 13:35, Luk.19:33; τ. σαββάτου, Mat.12:8, Mrk.2:28, Luk.6:5; with genitive of person(s), δούλου, etc., Mat.10:24, Luk.14:21, Act.16:16, al.; absol, opposite to οἱ δοῦλοι, Eph.6:5, 9 al.; of the Emperor (Deiss., LAE, 161), Act.25:26; θεοὶ πολλοὶ καὶ κ. πολλοί, 1Co.8:5; of a husband, 1Pe.3:6; in voc, as a title of respect to masters, teachers, magistrates, etc., Ma …

of usἡμῶνhēmōnG3165
me

μέ (me) 1. apostrophe for με. 2. rarely for μοι, (Homer) (ML)

JesusἸησοῦIēsouG2424G
Jesus

Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Ἰησοῦς, -οῦ, dative, voc. -οῦ, accusative, -οῦν (Heb. יֵשׁוּעַ ,יְהֹשֻׁעַ ,יְהוֹשׁוּעַ), 1. JESUS: Mat.1:21, al.; ὁ Ἰ, ib. 3:13, al.; Ἰ. Χριστός, ib. 1:1, Mrk.1:1, al.; Χρ. Ἰ., Rom.2:26, al.; κύριος Ἰ., Act.28:31, al.; Ἰησοῦ, voc., Mrk.1:24, al. 2. Joshua: Act.7:45, Heb.4:8. 3. Jesus, son of Eliezer: Luk.3:28. 4. Jesus, surnamed Justus: Col.4:11. 5. see: βαραββᾶς. (AS)

Christ,Χριστοῦ,ChristouG5547
Christ

Χριστός (Christos) χριστός (Χρ-), -ή, -όν (χρίω), [in LXX for מָשִׁיחַ and cogn. forms ;] 1. 1. as adj., (a) of things, anointing, to be used as ointment (Æsch., Eur., al.; τ. ἔλαιον τὸ χ., Lev.21:10); (b) of persons, anointed (ὁ ἰερεὺς ὁ χ., Lev.4:5; οἱ χ. ἰευρεῖς, 2Ma.1:10): ὁ χ. τοῦ κυρίου or Θεοῦ (1Ki.2:10, Psa.2:2, al.), of the Messiah (Aram., מְשִׁיחָא; cf. Dalman, Words, 289 ff.), Luk.2:11, 26 Jhn.1:41, Act.2:36 4:26, al. …

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.