2 Timothy 4:1
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;
2 Timothy 4:1 in other translations
| BSB | I charge you 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: |
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| WEB | I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: |
| ASV | I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: |
| YLT | I do fully testify, then, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is about to judge living and dead at his manifestation and his reign-- |
| DARBY | I testify before God and Christ Jesus, who is about to judge living and dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom, |
| BBE | I give you orders, before God and Christ Jesus, who will be the judge of the living and the dead, and by his revelation and his kingdom; |
| Webster | I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; |
What does 2 Timothy 4:1 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
ANALYSIS OF THE CHAPTER.
THIS chapter comprises the following subjects:
1. A solemn charge to Timothy, to be faithful in preaching the gospel, and in the whole.work of the ministry, 2Ti 4:1-5. The particular reason given for this charge was, that the time was approaching when men would not endure sound doctrine, but would turn away from the truth. Hence, Timothy is exhorted to be faithful in his work, and to be prepared to endure the trials which, in such circumstances, a faithful minister must be expected to meet.
2. A statement of Paul that his own work was nearly done, and that the hour of his departure drew near, 2Ti 4:6-8. This statement, also, seems to be made in order to excite Timothy to increased fidelity in the ministry. His teacher, guide, father, and friend, was about to be withdrawn, and the great work of preaching was to be committed to other hands. Hence, in view of his own departure, Paul exhorts Timothy to fidelity when he himself should be removed.
3. An exhortation to Timothy to come to him as soon as practicable, 2Ti 4:9-15. Paul was then in bonds, and was expecting soon to die. He was alone. For various reasons, those who had been with him had left him, and he needed some companion and friend. He therefore exhorts Timothy to come to him as soon as possible.
4. Paul refers now to his first trial before the emperor, and to the fact that then no one stood by him, 2Ti 4:16-19. The reason of his referring to this seems to be, to induce Timothy to come to him in view of his anticipated second trial. The Lord, he says, then stood by him, and he had confidence that he would continue to do it; yet who is there that does not feel it desirable to have some dear earthly friend to be with him when he dies?
5. The epistle is closed, in the usual manner, with various salutations, and with the benediction, 2Ti 4:19-22.
Verse 1. I charge thee therefore before God. 1Timm 5:21.
Who shall judge the quick and the dead. That is, the Lord Jesus; for he is to be the Judge of men, Mt 25:31-46, 2Cor 5:10. The word quick means living, Acts 10:42; Eph 2:1; and the idea is, that he would be alike the Judge of all who were alive when he should come, and of all who had died. 1Thes 4:16, 1Thes 4:17. In view of the fact that all, whether preachers or hearers, must give up their account to the final Judge, Paul charges Timothy to be faithful; and what is there which will more conduce to fidelity in the discharge of duty, than the thought that we must soon give up a solemn account of the manner in which we have performed it?
At his appearing. That is, the judgment shall then take place. This must refer to a judgment yet to take place, for the Lord Jesus has not yet "appeared" the second time to men; and, if this be so, then there is to be a resurrection of the dead. On the meaning of the word rendered appearing, 2Thes 2:8. It is there rendered brightness. Comp. 1Timm 6:14, 2Ti 1:10, Tit 2:13.
And his kingdom. Or, at the setting up of his kingdom. The idea of his reigning, or setting up his kingdom, is not unfrequently associated with the idea of his coming. See Mt 16:28. The meaning is, that, at his second advent, the extent and majesty of his kingdom will be fully displayed. It will be seen that he has control over the elements, over the graves of the dead, and over all the living. It will be seen that the earth and the heavens are under his sway, and that all things there acknowledge him as their sovereign Lord. In order to meet the full force of the language used by Paul here, it is not necessary to suppose that he will set up a visible kingdom on the earth, but only that there will be an illustrious display of himself as a king, and of the extent and majesty of the empire over which he presides. Comp. Rom 14:11; Php 2:10.
(a) "charge" 1Timm 5:21, 6:13 (b) "judge" Rev 20:12,13
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Introduction
The apostle charges Timothy to be diligent, incessant, and faithful in his preaching; to watch, suffer patiently, and give full proof of his ministry, 2Tim 4:1-5. He predicts his own approaching death, and expresses the strongest confidence of being eternally happy, 2Tim 4:6-8. Desires Timothy to come and see him; shows that several had forsaken him, that others were gone to different districts, and that he had only Luke with him, 2Tim 4:9-12. Desires him to bring the cloak, book, and parchments, which he had left at Troas, 2Tim 4:13. Of Alexander the coppersmith's opposition, 2Tim 4:14, 2Tim 4:15. Tells Timothy how he was deserted by all when obliged to make his first defense before Nero; how God supported him, and the confidence with which he was inspired, 2Tim 4:16-18. Salutations to different persons at Ephesus, and from different persons at Rome, 2Tim 4:19-21. The apostolical benediction, 2Tim 4:22. Verse 1 I charge thee therefore before God - Whose herald thou art; and before the Lord Jesus Christ, whose salvation thou art to proclaim, and who is coming to judge the world - all that shall be found then alive, and all that have died from the foundation of the world.Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
2 Timothy 4:1 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for 2 Timothy 4:1
- Acts 10:42
And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
- 2 Timothy 4:8
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
- 1 Timothy 5:21
I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
- Matthew 16:27
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
- 2 Timothy 2:14
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
- 1 Peter 5:4
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
- Titus 2:13
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
- John 5:22-27
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. …
- Romans 2:16
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
- 1 Timothy 6:13-14
I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
- Revelation 20:11-15
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. …
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
6 certifies him of the nearness of his death;
9 wills him to come speedily unto him, and to bring Marcus with him, and certain things which he wrote for;
14 warns him to beware of Alexander the smith.
16 informs him what had befallen him at his first answering;
19 and soon after he concludes.
charge.
2:14; 1Ti 5:21; 6:13
who.
Ps 50:6; 96:13; 98:9; Mt 16:27; 25:31-46; Joh 5:22-27; Ac 10:42
Ac 17:31; Ro 2:16; 14:9-11; 1Co 4:4,5; 2Co 5:9,10; 2Th 1:7-10
1Pe 4:5; Re 20:11-15
at.
8; Col 3:4; 1Th 4:15,16; 1Ti 6:14; Tit 2:13; Heb 9:27,28; 1Pe 1:7
1Pe 5:4; 1Jo 2:28; Re 1:7
his kingdom.
Lu 19:12,15; 23:42; 2Pe 1:11,17
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- 2 Timothy 4:1
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;
- 2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:1 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | REQUIERO yo pues delante de Dios, y del Señor Jesucristo, que ha de juzgar á los vivos y los muertos en su manifestación y en su reino, |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Je t’en adjure devant Dieu et le christ Jésus, qui va juger vivants et morts, et par son apparition et par son règne: |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Ich bezeuge ernstlich vor Gott und Christo Jesu, der da richten wird Lebendige und Tote, und bei seiner Erscheinung und seinem Reiche: |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Testificor coram Deo, et Jesu Christo, qui judicaturus est vivos et mortuos, per adventum ipsius, et regnum ejus: |