1 Timothy 6:20

International Standard Version

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the pointless discussions and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge.1 Timothy 1:4,6; 4:7; 2 Timothy 1:14; Titus 1:9,14, 6; 3:9; Revelation 3:3;">[xr]

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Timothy, God has trusted you with many things. Keep these things safe. Stay away from people who talk about useless things that are not from God and who argue against you with a "knowledge" that is not knowledge at all.

Revised Standard Version
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the godless chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge,

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
O Timothe save that which is geve ye to kepe and avoyde vngostly vanities of voyces and opposicios of sciece falsly so called

Hebrew Names Version
Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called;

New American Standard Bible
Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"—

New Century Version
Timothy, guard what God has trusted to you. Stay away from foolish, useless talk and from the arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge."

Update Bible Version
O Timothy, guard that which is committed to [you], turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called;

Webster's Bible Translation
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane [and] vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called;

English Standard Version
O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge,"

World English Bible
Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called;

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
O Timotheus, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding prophane, empty babblings, and oppositions of knowledge falsely so called: Which some professing have erred from the faith.

Weymouth's New Testament
O Timothy, guard the truths entrusted to you, shunning irreligious and frivolous talk, and controversy with what is falsely called `knowledge';

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Thou Tymothe, kepe the thing bitakun to thee, eschewynge cursid noueltees of voicis, and opynyouns of fals name of kunnyng;

English Revised Version
O Timothy, guard that which is committed unto [thee], turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called;

Berean Standard Bible
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called "knowledge,"

Contemporary English Version
Timothy, guard what God has placed in your care! Don't pay any attention to that godless and stupid talk that sounds smart but really isn't.

Amplified Bible
O Timothy, guard and keep safe the deposit [of godly truth] entrusted to you, turn away from worldly and godless chatter [with its profane, empty words], and the contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge"—

American Standard Version
O Timothy, guard that which is committed unto thee, turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called;

Bible in Basic English
O Timothy, take good care of that which is given to you, turning away from the wrong and foolish talk and arguments of that knowledge which is falsely so named;

Complete Jewish Bible
Oh, Timothy! Keep safe what has been entrusted to you. Turn away from the ungodly babblings and the argumentative opposition of what is falsely called "knowledge."

Darby Translation
O Timotheus, keep the entrusted deposit, avoiding profane, vain babblings, and oppositions of false-named knowledge,

Etheridge Translation
20 O Timothy, watch over that which is confided to thee, and fly from vain words, [fn] and the turnings of false knowledge.

Murdock Translation
O Timothy, be careful of that which is committed to thee; and shun vain words, and the oppositions of false science:

King James Version (1611)
O Timothie, keepe that which is committed to thy trust, auoyding prophane and vaine bablings, and oppositions of science, fasly so called:

New Living Translation
Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge.

New Life Bible
Timothy, keep safe what God has trusted you with. Turn away from foolish talk. Do not argue with those who think they know so much. They know less than they think they do.

New Revised Standard
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge;

Geneva Bible (1587)
O Timotheus, keepe that which is committed vnto thee, and auoide prophane and vaine babblings, and oppositios of science falsely so called,

George Lamsa Translation
O Timothy, be careful of that which is entrusted to you, flee from empty echoes and from the perversion of science:

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
O Timothy! that which hath been entrusted, do thou guard, avoiding the profane pratings and oppositions of falsely named knowledge, -

Douay-Rheims Bible
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding the profane novelties of words and oppositions of knowledge falsely so called.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
O Timotheus, saue that which is geuen thee to kepe, auoydyng prophane [and] vayne bablynges, and oppositions of science, falslie so called:

Good News Translation
Timothy, keep safe what has been entrusted to your care. Avoid the profane talk and foolish arguments of what some people wrongly call "Knowledge."

Christian Standard Bible®
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding irreverent and empty speech and contradictions from what is falsely called knowledge.

King James Version
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

Lexham English Bible
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Turn away from pointless empty talk and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge,

Literal Translation
O Timothy, guard the Deposit, having turned away from the profane empty babblings and opposing theories of the falsely named knowledge,

Young's Literal Translation
O Timotheus, the thing entrusted guard thou, avoiding the profane vain-words and opposition of the falsely-named knowledge,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
O Timothy, kepe that which is committed vnto the, and avoyde vngoostly vayne wordes, and opposicions of science falsly so called,

Mace New Testament (1729)
O Timothy, keep what is deposited in your care, avoiding the prophane empty declamations and objections of a spurious science, which some have profess'd,

THE MESSAGE
And oh, my dear Timothy, guard the treasure you were given! Guard it with your life. Avoid the talk-show religion and the practiced confusion of the so-called experts. People caught up in a lot of talk can miss the whole point of faith. Overwhelming grace keep you!

New English Translation
O Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and absurdities of so-called "knowledge."

New King James Version
O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge--

Simplified Cowboy Version
Timothy, protect the duty God has given you. Yes, people are going to argue with you and start fights, but don't fall for the bait. They may seem smart, but their wisdom is like mud stuck in a horse's hoof.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"—

Legacy Standard Bible
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, turning aside from godless and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called knowledge—

Contextual Overview

¹³ In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and in the sight of Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, I solemnly charge youDeuteronomy 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:6; Matthew 27:11; John 5:21; 18:37; 1 Timothy 5:21; Revelation 1:5; 3:14;">[xr] ¹⁴ to keep this command stainless and blameless until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ.Philippians 1:6,10; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 5:23;">[xr] ¹⁵ At the right time Godhe">[fn] will make him known. He is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.1 Timothy 1:11,17; Revelation 17:14; 19:16;">[xr] ¹⁶ He alone has endless life and lives in inaccessible light. No one has ever seen him, nor can anyone see him. Honor and eternal power belong to him! Amen.Exodus 33:20; John 6:46; Ephesians 3:21; Philippians 4:20; 1 Timothy 1:17; Jude 1:25; Revelation 1:6; 4:11; 7:12;">[xr] ¹⁷ Tell those who are rich in the present world not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, let them place their confidencelet them place their confidence">[fn] in God, who lavishly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.Job 1:31:24; Psalm 52:7; 62:10; Proverbs 23:5; Mark 10:24; Luke 12:21; Acts 14:17; 17:25; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 1 Timothy 3:15; 4:10;">[xr] ¹⁸ They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, and to share.Luke 12:21; Romans 12:13; Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:10; Titus 3:8; Hebrews 13:16; James 2:5;">[xr] ¹⁹ By doing this they store up a treasure for themselves that is a good foundation for the future, so that they can take hold of the life that is real.Matthew 6:20; 19:21; Luke 12:33; 16:9; 1 Timothy 6:12;">[xr] ²⁰ Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the pointless discussions and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge.1 Timothy 1:4,6; 4:7; 2 Timothy 1:14; Titus 1:9,14, 6; 3:9; Revelation 3:3;">[xr] ²¹ Although some claim to have it, they have abandoned the faith. May grace be with all of you!with you (pl.). Other mss. read you! Amen">[fn]1 Timothy 1:6,19; 2 Timothy 2:18;">[xr]

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

O Timothy: 1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:1

keep: 1 Timothy 6:14, 1 Timothy 1:11, Romans 3:2, 2 Thessalonians 1:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, 2 Timothy 1:13, 2 Timothy 1:14, 2 Timothy 3:14, Titus 1:9, Revelation 3:3

avoiding: 1 Timothy 6:4, 1 Timothy 6:5, 1 Timothy 1:4, 1 Timothy 1:6, 1 Timothy 4:7, 2 Timothy 3:14-16, Titus 1:4, Titus 1:14, Titus 3:9

oppositions: Acts 17:18, Acts 17:21, Romans 1:22, 1 Corinthians 1:19-23, 1 Corinthians 2:6, 1 Corinthians 3:19, Colossians 2:8, Colossians 2:18

Reciprocal: Leviticus 8:35 - keep Numbers 18:5 - And ye Ezekiel 40:45 - the keepers Luke 12:48 - For Romans 16:21 - Timotheus Colossians 4:17 - Take 1 Thessalonians 2:4 - to be 1 Timothy 1:18 - charge 2 Timothy 1:12 - keep 2 Timothy 2:16 - shun 2 Timothy 4:7 - I have kept Hebrews 13:9 - carried

Cross-References

John 5:40
But you are not willing to come to me to have life.John 1:11; 3:19;">[xr]

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Keep that which is committed to thy trust,.... That is, the Gospel, see 1 Timothy 1:11 which is a rich treasure put into earthen vessels, and ought to be kept pure and uncorrupt, and faithfully dispensed, and diligently preserved, that so it may be continued genuine and sincere, and not be either adulterated and depraved, or be taken away by false teachers. And it may also include his gifts for the ministration of it, which were to be kept in use, and stirred up, and not neglected, but cultivated and improved to the advantage of the church, and of the interest of Christ:

avoiding profane and vain babblings; about the law, and circumcision, and other things, which the false teachers insisted much on, and amused their hearers with; and which were vain, empty, useless, and unprofitable talk. Some copies, and so the Vulgate Latin version, read, "profane newnesses of words"; or new words, which ought not to be introduced, for they often bring in new doctrines: the form of sound words, the wholesome words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, the words which the Holy Ghost teacheth, should be held fast; and especially all new words should be avoided, which are contrary to them, or in the least weaken them, or detract from them.

And oppositions of science falsely so called; the false teachers boasted of their science and knowledge, but it was not true, solid, spiritual, and saving; it was not an experimental knowledge of the Gospel; it was not the excellent knowledge of Christ, which has eternal life connected with it; it was merely notional and speculative; it was idle, empty, and useless, mere Pagan philosophy, and vain deceit, upon which they formed antitheses, or oppositions and objections to the truths of the Gospel; and even opposed themselves, and the word of God, as well as the faithful ministers of it.

(Knowledge is not determined by a "show of hands". Even though the majority of people believe something, that does not make it true. The majority today do not believe in Noah's flood, 2 Peter 3:4. It was so in Noah's day also, but the unbelievers all drowned! Many fervently believe in evolution and try to compromise the scriptures with it. This verse stands as a stark warning to those who do not try everything through God's Word. Isaiah 8:20 Editor.)

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Keep that which is committed to thy trust - All that is entrusted to you, and to which reference has been particularly made in this Epistle. The honor of the gospel, and the interests of religion, had been specially committed to him; and he was sacredly to guard this holy trust, and not suffer it to be wrested from him.

Avoiding profane and vain babblings - Greek, “Profane, empty words.” The reference is to such controversies and doctrines as tended only to produce strife, and were not adapted to promote the edification of the church; see the notes on 1Ti 1:4; 1 Timothy 4:7.

And oppositions of science falsely so called - Religion has nothing to fear from true science, and the minister of the gospel is not exhorted to dread that. Real science, in all its advances, contributes to the support of religion; and just in proportion as that is promoted will it be found to sustain the Bible, and to confirm the claims of religion to the faith of mankind. See this illustrated at length in Wiseman’s Lectures on the connection between science and religion. It is only false or pretended science that religion has to dread, and which the friend of Christianity is to avoid. The meaning here is, that Timothy was to avoid everything which falsely laid claim to being “knowledge” or “science.” There was much of this in the world at the time the apostle wrote; and this, more perhaps than anything else, has tended to corrupt true religion since.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 20. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust — This is another repetition of the apostolic charge. (See 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Timothy 1:18-19; 1 Timothy 4:6-7; 1 Timothy 4:14-16; 1 Timothy 5:21; 1 Timothy 6:13.) Carefully preserve that doctrine which I have delivered to thee. Nothing can be more solemn and affectionate than this charge.

Avoiding profane and vain babblings — See note on 1 Timothy 1:4, and "1 Timothy 4:7".

And oppositions of science falsely so called — Και αντιθεσεις της ψευδωνυμου γνωσεως· And oppositions of knowledge falsely so named. Dr. Macknight's note here is worthy of much attention: "In the enumeration of the different kinds of inspiration bestowed on the first preachers of the Gospel, 1 Corinthians 12:8, we find the word of knowledge mentioned; by which is meant that kind of inspiration which gave to the apostles and superior Christian prophets the knowledge of the true meaning of the Jewish Scriptures. This inspiration the false teachers pretending to possess, dignified their misinterpretations of the ancient Scriptures with the name of knowledge, that is, inspired knowledge; for so the word signifies, 1 Corinthians 14:6. And as by these interpretations they endeavoured to establish the efficacy of the Levitical atonements, the apostle very properly termed these interpretations oppositions of knowledge, because they were framed to establish doctrines opposite to, and subversive of, the Gospel. To destroy the credit of these teachers, he affirmed that the knowledge from which they proceeded was falsely called inspired knowledge; for they were not inspired with the knowledge of the meaning of the Scriptures, but only pretended to it." Others think that the apostle has the Gnostics in view. But it is not clear that these heretics, or whatever they were, had any proper existence at this time. On the whole, Dr. Macknight's interpretation seems to be the best.