King James Version

What Does 1 Timothy 6:21 Mean?

1 Timothy 6:21 in the King James Version says “Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from L...” — study this verse from 1 Timothy chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.”

1 Timothy 6:21 · KJV

FaithGrace

Context

19

Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

20

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: science: Gr. knowledge

21

Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.

Read 1 Timothy 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Which some professing have erred concerning the faith (ἥν τινες ἐπαγγελλόμενοι περὶ τὴν πίστιν ἠστόχησαν, hēn tines epangellomenoi peri tēn pistin ēstochēsan)—'by professing it some have missed the mark concerning the faith.' Epangellomai means to profess, claim, announce. Astocheō means to miss the mark, deviate, wander. Those claiming superior knowledge have actually wandered from faith—their 'enlightenment' is spiritual darkness.

Grace be with thee. Amen (ἡ χάρις μετὰ σοῦ. ἀμήν, hē charis meta sou. amēn)—'Grace be with you. Amen.' Charis is grace, God's unmerited favor. Paul closes with this benediction, acknowledging that only God's grace enables Timothy to fulfill his charge. 'Thee' is singular (Timothy), but some manuscripts have plural 'you'—grace for the whole church.

The letter ends where it began: warning against false teaching. Those professing superior knowledge have missed the mark entirely. But grace sustains faithful ministers. Everything Paul has charged Timothy to do—confront error, teach truth, appoint leaders, care for the vulnerable, guard the deposit—requires divine grace. We cannot fulfill God's calling in our own strength.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Ephesian false teachers claimed special knowledge (gnōsis) superior to apostolic teaching. Paul's verdict: they've missed the mark. Their sophistication is actually deviation from faith. The closing grace benediction reminds Timothy and the church: faithfulness depends on God's unmerited favor, not human effort. Grace enables what commands require.

Reflection Questions

  1. How have those claiming superior 'knowledge' actually missed the mark of faith?
  2. Why does Paul close with 'grace be with you'—what role does grace play in faithful ministry?
  3. What encouragement does this benediction offer to ministers feeling inadequate for their calling?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 12 words
ἥν1 of 12

“Which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

τινες2 of 12

“some”

G5100

some or any person or object

ἐπαγγελλόμενοι3 of 12

“professing”

G1861

to announce upon (reflexively), i.e., (by implication) to engage to do something, to assert something respecting oneself

περὶ4 of 12

“concerning”

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

τὴν5 of 12
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πίστιν6 of 12

“the faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

ἠστόχησαν7 of 12

“have erred”

G795

to miss the mark, i.e., (figuratively) deviate from truth

Ἡ8 of 12
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χάρις9 of 12

“Grace”

G5485

graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart

μετὰ10 of 12

“be with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

σοῦ11 of 12

“thee”

G4675

of thee, thy

ἀμήν12 of 12

“Amen”

G281

properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Timothy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Timothy 6:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Timothy 6:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Timothy 2:18Romans 16:23Romans 1:7Romans 16:202 Timothy 4:22Colossians 4:18

Test Your Knowledge

1 Timothy 6 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Timothy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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