2 Timothy 4:1

Authorized King James Version

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;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Διαμαρτύρομαι
G1263
charge
to attest or protest earnestly, or (by implication) hortatively
#2
οὖν
G3767
thee therefore
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
#3
ἐγὼ
G1473
I
i, me
#4
ἐνώπιον
G1799
before
in the face of (literally or figuratively)
#5
τὴν
G3588
who
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
θεοῦ
G2316
God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#7
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#8
τὴν
G3588
who
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#9
κυρίου
G2962
the Lord
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
#10
Ἰησοῦ
G2424
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#11
Χριστοῦ
G5547
Christ
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
#12
τὴν
G3588
who
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#13
μέλλοντος
G3195
shall
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
#14
κρίνειν
G2919
judge
by implication, to try, condemn, punish
#15
ζῶντας
G2198
the quick
to live (literally or figuratively)
#16
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#17
νεκρούς
G3498
the dead
dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)
#18
κατὰ
G2596
at
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
#19
τὴν
G3588
who
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#20
ἐπιφάνειαν
G2015
appearing
a manifestation, i.e., (specially) the advent of christ (past or future)
#21
αὐτοῦ
G846
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#22
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#23
τὴν
G3588
who
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#24
βασιλείαν
G932
kingdom
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
#25
αὐτοῦ·
G846
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Analysis

This verse develops the kingdom of God theme central to 2 Timothy. The concept of kingdom reflects the development of kingdom of God within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show imperial and royal imagery familiar to subjects of ancient monarchies, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection