Chapter
1 2 3 4
Verse

2 Timothy 4:1

ESV I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
NIV In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:
NASB I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
CSB I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing and his kingdom:
NLT I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom:
KJV I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

What does 2 Timothy 4:1 mean?

Paul begins this final chapter of his letter with a strong command to Timothy. He uses a Greek courtroom term which implies testimony, witness, or obligation: diamartyromai. This is a solemn, serious obligation which Paul is placing on his friend. The exact same word is found in 1 Timothy 5:21 where Paul wrote, "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality." In 1 Timothy 6:13 Paul used different Greek terminology, but a similar meaning, to say, "I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus." Paul's intent is to bring Timothy to close attention and obedience to an important instruction.

Paul refers to Jesus using a phrase also found in Acts 10:42 and 1 Peter 4:5. Two other attributes are also given regarding Jesus in this verse. First, Paul spoke of His appearing. Paul's later writings noted an emphasis on this idea of Christ's appearing or return (1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:8; Titus 2:13). Second, he spoke of Christ's kingdom. Paul believed he would soon live with Jesus in this heavenly kingdom (2 Timothy 4:18).
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