John Calvin Commentary 1 Timothy 6:14

"that thou keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:" — 1 Timothy 6:14 (ASV)

That thou, keep the commandment. By the word commandment he means all that he has until now said about the office of Timothy, the sum of which was, that he should show himself to be a faithful minister to Christ and to the Church. What is the use of extending this to the whole law? But perhaps it will be thought preferable to view it as denoting the office which he had received by divine authority, for we are appointed to be ministers of the Church on no other condition than this, that God enjoins upon us whatever He wishes us to do. Thus, to “keep the commandment” would be nothing else than to discharge honestly the office committed to him. I certainly view it as referring altogether to the ministry of Timothy.

Spotless and unblameable. Whether we consider the case or the termination of the two Greek adjectives which are thus translated, they may apply either to the commandment given, or to the person of Timothy; but the meaning which I have assigned is much more appropriate. Paul informs Timothy that, if he wishes to discharge his office in a proper manner, he must be so.

Till the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is impossible to tell how necessary it was for all the godly at that time to have their minds entirely fixed on the day of Christ, because innumerable offenses existed everywhere in the world. They were assailed on every side, were universally hated and abhorred, were exposed to the mockeries of all, were oppressed every day with new calamities; and yet they saw no fruit of so many toils and annoyances. What then remained, but that in thought they should fly away to that blessed day of our redemption?

Yet the same reason is in force with regard to us in the present day, and indeed applies equally to almost every age. How many things Satan constantly presents to our eyes, which, but for this, would a thousand times draw us aside from the right course!

I say nothing about fires, swords, banishments, and all the furious attacks of enemies. I say nothing about slanders and other vexations.

How many things are within that are far worse! Ambitious men openly attack us; Epicureans and Lucianists jeer at us; impudent men provoke us; hypocrites murmur at us; those who are wise after the flesh secretly bite us; we are harassed by various methods in every direction.

In short, it is a great miracle that any man perseveres steadfastly in an office so difficult and so dangerous. The only remedy for all these difficulties is to cast our eyes towards the appearing of Christ and to keep them fixed on it continually.