Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
1 Timothy 6:20 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 20. 20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse personally tells Timothy to guard the deposit and avoid empty speech and oppositions of falsely named knowledge.
Guard the entrusted deposit, and let grace rest on more than one man
This verse is one part of that explanation in 1 Timothy 6:20–21. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- 1 Timothy 6:20–21
Read 1 Timothy 6:20 with 6:20–21. This verse personally tells Timothy to guard the deposit and avoid empty speech and oppositions of falsely named knowledge. The complete unit establishes this movement: Timothy must guard the entrusted deposit, avoid empty and contradictory claims marketed as knowledge, learn from those who deviated, and receive grace with the wider community.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The conclusion returns to the opening charge and places guarding truth inside grace shared with more people than Timothy alone. Within that movement, this verse personally tells Timothy to guard the deposit and avoid empty speech and oppositions of falsely named knowledge.
Read 1 Timothy 6:20–21 together
Why these verses belong together: Guarding the deposit, testing falsely named knowledge, deviation, and plural grace conclude the letter together.
Verse 20. 20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
Verse 21. 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
Follow the Context
- Timothy is addressed personally and told to guard the deposit.
- Profane empty speech and oppositions of falsely named knowledge are avoided.
- Some who professed it deviated concerning the faith.
- Grace closes with a plural recipient.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“science falsely so called”
In plain language: In KJV English science means knowledge; the target is falsely named knowledge, not modern scientific method.
personally tells Timothy to guard the deposit and avoid empty speech and oppositions of falsely named knowledge. Entrusted truth is guarded through evidence and humility rather than anti-intellectual control.
Why it matters: The wording carries interpretive or ethical risk that requires the full unit and its stated limits.
How certain? probableWhat This Verse Is Not Saying
The verse does not condemn science, medicine, scholarship, education, or sincere questions.
What Remains True
Entrusted truth is guarded through evidence and humility rather than anti-intellectual control.
How It Can Shape Life
- Check sources, welcome correction, and distinguish claim from data.
Teach It Back
Explain how 1 Timothy 6:20 contributes to 1 Timothy 6:20–21. Include what the surrounding verses add, the stated uncertainty, and what this verse does not authorize.
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Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read 1 Timothy 6:20–21 — Guard the Deposit and End in Communal GraceSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? probable
Where care is needed
The exact identity of the oppositions is uncertain.
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing KJV wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: 1 Timothy 6:20–21, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, morphology targets, and base text for original-language discussion.
Exact location: Faithlife SBLGNT repository, data/sblgnt/text/1Tim.txt, 6:20–21
Open the 1 Timothy Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — 1 Timothy with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005–2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level syntax, KJV-era wording, textual alternatives, and interpretive notes.
Exact location: NET Bible official 1 Timothy PDF, 6:20–21 translation and attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open the official NET 1 Timothy PDF ↗