Keep This Commandment

1Timothy 6:14-15 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords 

‘Keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ The commandment for obedience is the one key that most miss in the battle for salvation (1Pet. 1:2). We are commanded in James 1:22-25 to become doers of the Word, not just hearers. We must purify our souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit (1Pet. 1:22). Healing was promised on condition of obedience (Lev. 26:1-46; Deut. 28:1-68; Ex. 15:26; Ps. 91:1-16; Isa. 58:1-14; Jas. 5:14-15). Not one scripture teaches unconditional grace, or that God gives grace to men who disobey the gospel. If so, then God is under obligation to save all, even sinners who disobey if He saves even one (Rom. 2:11). God is under obligation to saints only when they walk in the light and remain true to the gospel (1Jn. 1:7). He is not under obligation to sinners until they come to full obedience of the gospel. Grace teaches men to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly here and now (Tit. 2:11-12). If people do not obey its teaching grace can go no further. ‘Unrebukeable’ Same as blameless (1Tim. 3:2; 5:7).

‘Until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ …’ This is the 2nd and last New Testament prophecy in 1Timothy (6:14-15). This is required of all saints until the rapture (1Thess. 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-17) and the second coming (Tit. 2:13; 1Tim. 4:1).

‘Which in his times he shall show.’ Which refers to the appearing when Christ will make known the only Potentate (Rev. 11:15; 19:11-21; Zech. 14:1-9; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-14; Isa. 9:6-7). ‘His times’ – The times that He will rule.

‘Potentate’ [Greek: dunastes] a mighty prince, a ruler. Used only here of God, but translated “mighty” (Luke 1:52) and “of great authority” (Acts 8:27).

‘King of kings, and Lord of lords.’ Used of God and Christ (6:15; Rev. 17:14; 19:16). Both are great Potentates and Kings. Literally, the Eternal your Creator is the Creator of creators, the Sovereign of sovereigns, the Strong One, the Mighty One, the Fearful One, who champions the cause of the fatherless and widows without respect of persons (Deut. 10:17-18).

‘Lord of lords’ [Hebrew: ’Adoniym] of the ’adoniym, Sovereign of sovereigns; Master of masters; and Ruler of rulers (Ps. 136:3).