1 Timothy 6:13
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;
Original Language Analysis
παραγγέλλω
I give
G3853
παραγγέλλω
I give
Strong's:
G3853
Word #:
1 of 20
to transmit a message, i.e., (by implication) to enjoin
τὴν
who
G3588
τὴν
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
5 of 20
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τὴν
who
G3588
τὴν
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ζωοποιοῦντος
quickeneth
G2227
ζωοποιοῦντος
quickeneth
Strong's:
G2227
Word #:
7 of 20
to (re-)vitalize (literally or figuratively)
τὴν
who
G3588
τὴν
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Χριστοῦ
before Christ
G5547
Χριστοῦ
before Christ
Strong's:
G5547
Word #:
11 of 20
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
12 of 20
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τὴν
who
G3588
τὴν
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μαρτυρήσαντος
witnessed
G3140
μαρτυρήσαντος
witnessed
Strong's:
G3140
Word #:
14 of 20
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
ἐπὶ
before
G1909
ἐπὶ
before
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
15 of 20
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὴν
who
G3588
τὴν
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 27:11And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.1 Timothy 5:21I 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.Revelation 3:14And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;Revelation 1:5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,John 5:21For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
Historical Context
Pontius Pilate governed Judea AD 26-36. Jesus' trial before Pilate is recorded in all four Gospels—He confessed He was King and witnessed to truth (John 18:37), even knowing it would lead to crucifixion. Paul holds up Jesus' fearless testimony as the model: Timothy must confess Christ faithfully regardless of consequences, following his Lord's example of costly obedience.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Paul invoke both God the life-giver and Christ the faithful witness?
- How does Jesus' confession before Pilate model faithful testimony under persecution?
- What 'good confession' might cost you in your current context?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things (Παραγγέλλω σοι ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ζῳοποιοῦντος τὰ πάντα, Parangellō soi enōpion tou theou tou zōopoiountos ta panta)—'I charge you before God who gives life to all things.' Parangellō is military command language. Zōopoieō means to make alive, give life. God is the life-giver and sustainer.
And before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession (καὶ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ μαρτυρήσαντος ἐπὶ Ποντίου Πιλάτου τὴν καλὴν ὁμολογίαν, kai Christou Iēsou tou martyrēsantos epi Pontiou Pilatou tēn kalēn homologian)—'and before Christ Jesus who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate.' Martyreō means to witness, testify. Jesus' confession before Pilate (John 18:33-37) demonstrated faithful testimony under threat.
Paul charges Timothy with solemn authority: before God the life-giver and Christ the faithful witness. Jesus' example before Pilate—standing firm for truth despite danger—models the faithfulness Paul requires of Timothy. Remain faithful to your charge even when threatened.