Note 6 at 1 Tim. 6:20: The word "keep" was translated from the Greek word "PHULASSO" which means, "to watch, i.e. be on guard (literally or figuratively)..." (Strong). The word "committed" was translated from the Greek word "PARAKATATHEKE" which means, "something put down alongside, i.e. a deposit (sacred trust)" (Strong). This is speaking of Timothy guarding what had been deposited in him, or keeping his sacred trust.

There were many things that had been committed to Timothy's trust. Personally, he had been given salvation and gifts of the Spirit; however, this is probably speaking of his oversight over the church at Ephesus. Paul and the Holy Spirit had entrusted him with the leadership of the Ephesian church which could have been as many as 100,000 people (see note 3 at 1 Tim. 1:3, p. 1263). The rest of this sentence tells Timothy how to fulfill that trust.

Note 7 at 1 Tim. 6:20: Paul warned Timothy to guard (keep) the things that had been entrusted to him. This was most probably referring to the leadership of the Ephesian church (see note 6 at this v.). That's a big job. How could a young minister do that? Paul gives the answer here.

Paul told Timothy to avoid "profane and vain babblings and oppositions of science. . . ." This encompasses a large number of things, but it can be summed up by saying that Timothy was to stick to the preaching of God's Word (1 Tim. 4:12-16). He was not to be sidetracked into trying to answer every weird doctrine that the people concocted.

Many ministers cease to preach for God and instead preach against everything. No doubt, there are times when ministers need to comment on current events and relate that to the Gospel, but going off on a tangent is what Paul is warning against. We have to keep the main thing the main thing. Our most effective weapon against the lies of the devil is the truth of God's Word. There are times that even acknowledging the profane and vain things that people say against the Gospel gives opportunity to the devil.

Paul modeled what he meant. In Acts 17, Paul didn't address each of the thousands of gods who the people of Athens worshipped. He didn't try to systematically expose the deception of each deity. Instead, he found a way to present Christ to them. He bypassed all their profane and vain beliefs and got right to the heart of presenting the one true God to them.

We should do the same.

Note 8 at 1 Tim. 6:20: One of the meanings of the word "babble" is "to talk foolishly" (NAHD). Paul said the wisdom of this world was foolishness to God (1 Cor. 1:20, 23), so this could be speaking about any intellectual discussion that is contrary to God's truth. Paul is not discouraging Timothy from explaining the truth to any serious inquirer. He is instructing Timothy to turn away from arguing with anyone about the intellectual theories of the day.

Note 9 at 1 Tim. 6:20: The Greek word "ANTITHESIS," from which the English word "oppositions" was translated, means "opposition, i.e. a conflict (of theories)" (Strong). Paul is warning Timothy to not get caught up in debating theories. Just stick to preaching the Word of God.

Note 10 at 1 Tim. 6:20: The English word "science" was translated from the Greek word "GNOSIS" which means, "knowing (the act), i.e. (by implication) knowledge" (Strong). The NIV translated this verse, "Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge."

Note 11 at 1 Tim. 6:20: The word "falsely" was translated from the Greek word "PSEUDONUMUS" which means, "untruly named" (Strong). Paul is saying that the things people are arguing about are falsely named knowledge or science. Any theory or idea that is contrary to the revelation of God's Word is not science or knowledge. It's foolishness. God's Word is truth (Jn. 17:17).