1 Timothy 6:21
Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
Original Language Analysis
ἥν
Which
G3739
ἥν
Which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 12
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐπαγγελλόμενοι
professing
G1861
ἐπαγγελλόμενοι
professing
Strong's:
G1861
Word #:
3 of 12
to announce upon (reflexively), i.e., (by implication) to engage to do something, to assert something respecting oneself
περὶ
concerning
G4012
περὶ
concerning
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστιν
the faith
G4102
πίστιν
the faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
6 of 12
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
ἠστόχησαν
have erred
G795
ἠστόχησαν
have erred
Strong's:
G795
Word #:
7 of 12
to miss the mark, i.e., (figuratively) deviate from truth
Ἡ
G3588
Ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χάρις
Grace
G5485
χάρις
Grace
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
9 of 12
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
Cross References
2 Timothy 2:18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.Colossians 4:18The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.1 Timothy 1:19Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How have those claiming superior 'knowledge' actually missed the mark of faith?
- Why does Paul close with 'grace be with you'—what role does grace play in faithful ministry?
- What encouragement does this benediction offer to ministers feeling inadequate for their calling?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.