1 Timothy 6:13 - Meaning and Application

The apostle here charges Timothy to keep this command, that is, to carry out the whole work of his ministry, all the trust given to him, and all the service expected from him, “without spot” and “above reproach.” He must live and serve in such a way that no fair blame or stain could be laid against him. The aim is clear: his life should not give anyone a reason to accuse him.

Paul gives Timothy this charge before God. He says, in effect, “I give you this command in the sight of God,” meaning Timothy must answer to God at the great day. God sees everything we are and everything we do. He is the one “who gives life to all things,” who has life in himself and is the source of all life. That should stir us to serve him with zeal, since we serve the God who gives life.

Paul also gives the charge before Christ Jesus, with whom Timothy had a special connection as a minister of the gospel. Christ “made the good confession before Pontius Pilate,” when he stood before the Roman governor. Christ did not die only as a sacrifice, but also as a witness. When he said, “My kingdom is not of this world” and “I came to testify to the truth” (John 18:36-37), he gave a noble confession. That confession should draw all his followers, both ministers and people, away from loving this world.

Paul then reminds Timothy of the confession he himself had already made. He had “made the good confession” before many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:12), likely at his ordination, when the elders laid hands on him. That promise was still binding on him. He must live up to it, and let it strengthen him in his ministry.

Paul also points him to Christ’s return: “Keep this command until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Timothy is to keep it all his life, until Christ comes at death to give him his release. He must keep it with an eye on the second coming, when all of us must give an account of the gifts we were entrusted with (Luke 16:2). The Lord Jesus will appear, and that appearing will be glorious, unlike his first coming in humiliation. Ministers should keep that appearing in view in all their work, and until then they must stay pure and blameless.

Paul speaks gladly of Christ’s appearing, because he loved to think and speak of it. Christ’s coming is certain, though the Father has kept the time in his own power. It is enough for us to know that he will show it at the right time.

Paul then speaks great truths about God and Christ. God is “the blessed and only Sovereign,” the one who rules absolutely and depends on no one. Earthly rulers have their authority from him and under him, for governing powers are appointed by God (Romans 13:1). He is also “the King of kings and Lord of lords.” All earthly kings receive their power from him, and he has authority over them all. This is also Christ’s title (Revelation 19:16), showing his greatness over every ruler on earth.

God alone has immortality in himself. He is the source of life that never ends, and even the immortality of angels and spirits comes from him. He lives in “unapproachable light,” a glory no human can reach by his own effort. No one can come into heaven unless God brings him there and receives him into his kingdom. God is also invisible. No one has seen him, and no one can see him with mortal eyes, because no one can bear the brightness of his glory and live.

After speaking of these glorious truths, Paul ends with praise: “To him be honor and power forever. Amen.” Since God has all power and honor in himself, it is right for us to give all honor and power to him. Sin becomes even more serious when it is committed against such a God, the blessed and only Sovereign. His greatness makes our rebellion worse, not smaller.

At the same time, his greatness makes his kindness more amazing. It is a great act of condescension that he should notice creatures as small and sinful as we are. What are we, that the blessed God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, should seek us out? Those who are allowed to live with him are truly blessed. “Happy are your men,” the queen of Sheba said to Solomon, “happy are these your servants” who stand before you continually (1 Kings 10:8). How much happier are those who are allowed to stand before the King of kings.

So we should love, worship, and praise this great God. As Revelation says, “Who will not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy” (Revelation 15:4).

Paul then adds a special word for rich people. Timothy must warn them about the dangers of wealth and help them use their position well. First, he must warn them against pride. Rich people are easily tempted to think too highly of themselves when the world smiles on them. They must not be “high-minded,” puffed up by their wealth.

Second, he must warn them against trusting in riches. Wealth in this world is uncertain. Many have had much one day and lost it the next. Riches can disappear quickly, as Proverbs says, they make wings and fly away like an eagle (Proverbs 23:5). So they must not rest their confidence there.

Instead, they must trust in God, the living God. He gives us richly all things to enjoy. Rich people must recognize God as the one who gives their wealth, and also the one who gives them the ability to enjoy it. Many have possessions but little real enjoyment because they do not know how to use them well.

They must also use what they have to do good. What is a large estate worth if it gives no chance to help others? Real wealth is being “rich in good works.” They should be ready to share and willing to give. They should not only do good, but do it gladly, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Finally, they must think about the world to come, and prepare for it through works of mercy and charity. In this way they are “laying up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future,” so they may take hold of eternal life.

From this we may learn that ministers must not be afraid of the rich. No matter how wealthy they are, ministers must still speak to them plainly and warn them. They must caution them against pride and trust in uncertain riches, and they must urge them to do good, to be generous, and to use their wealth for godly purposes.

This is the way for the rich to store up treasure for the life to come, so that they may lay hold on eternal life. In the path of doing good, we are to seek glory, honor, and immortality, and eternal life will be the end of all, as Romans 2:7 says.

This also gives a lesson for ministers in the charge given to Timothy: “Keep what has been entrusted to you.” Every minister is a trustee, and a treasure has been placed in his care. He must guard God’s truths and God’s ordinances, while avoiding godless and empty talk. He should not chase human eloquence, which the apostle calls empty talk, or human learning that often stands against God’s truth. Instead, he must stay close to the written word, since that is what has been entrusted to him.

Some people have been very proud of their learning, their “knowledge,” which is falsely called knowledge. Because of it, they have been corrupted in their thinking and drawn away from the faith of Christ. That is a strong reason to hold to the plain word of the gospel and resolve to live and die by it.

Notice a few things here. Ministers can never be warned too strongly to keep what has been entrusted to them, because it is such a great trust. “O Timothy, keep what has been entrusted to you” is as if he were saying, “I cannot finish without charging you again. Whatever else you do, be sure to guard this trust, because it is too important to fail.”

Ministers must also avoid empty talk if they want to keep what has been given to them, because such talk is vain and godless. That kind of “knowledge” that opposes the truth of the gospel is falsely called knowledge. If it were true knowledge, it would agree with the gospel, not fight against it.

Those who love that kind of knowledge are in great danger of wandering from the faith. Anyone who wants reason to stand above faith is in danger of leaving faith behind.

The apostle ends with a short but full prayer and blessing: “Grace be with you. Amen.” This is a brief prayer for our friends, yet it asks for everything good, because grace includes all that is good. Grace is also a promise and a beginning of glory, because wherever God gives grace, he will also give glory, and he will not withhold any good thing from the one who walks uprightly. “Grace be with you all. Amen.”