2 Timothy Chapter 4 · Verse 1

Authorized King James Version

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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;

Original Language Analysis

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

Cross References

Acts 10:42And 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 4:8Henceforth 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 5:21I 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.2 Timothy 2:14Of 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.Matthew 16:27For 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.Titus 2:13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;1 Peter 5:4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.1 John 2:28And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.1 Peter 1:7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:2 Thessalonians 2:8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Analysis & Commentary

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. Paul begins his final, solemn charge to Timothy. "I charge thee" (diamartyromai, διαμαρτύρομαι) means solemnly testify, adjure, command with utmost seriousness. "Therefore" (oun, οὖν) connects to chapter 3—because Scripture is God-breathed and sufficient, Timothy must faithfully proclaim it. The charge occurs "before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ" (enōpion tou theou kai Christou Iēsou, ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ). Enōpion (ἐνώπιον) means in the presence of, before the face of—Timothy answers to divine authority, not human opinion.

Christ is further identified as "who shall judge the quick and the dead" (tou mellontos krinein zōntas kai nekrous, τοῦ μέλλοντος κρίνειν ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς). Mellontos (μέλλοντος) indicates certainty of future action—He will judge. Krinō (κρίνω) means judge, evaluate, pronounce verdict. "Quick" (zōntas, ζῶντας) means living—those alive at Christ's return. "Dead" (nekrous, νεκρούς) means those who died before His return. All humanity will face Christ's judgment (Acts 10:42, 17:31, Romans 14:9).

This judgment occurs "at his appearing and his kingdom" (kata tēn epiphaneian autou kai tēn basileian autou, κατὰ τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ). Epiphaneia (ἐπιφάνεια) means appearing, manifestation—Christ's second coming. Basileia (βασιλεία) means kingdom, reign—the consummated kingdom Christ establishes at His return. The weight of eschatological judgment undergirds Paul's charge. Timothy serves under the One who will judge all, rendering eternal verdicts. This reality demands utmost faithfulness.

Historical Context

Paul writes facing imminent execution. This is his final letter, his pastoral last will and testament. The solemnity reflects the moment's gravity—a dying apostle charging his successor before divine Judge. Early Christians lived with urgent eschatological expectation. Christ's return wasn't distant speculation but imminent reality shaping daily decisions. Paul's appeal to final judgment motivated faithfulness: Timothy would answer to Christ, not merely Paul or churches. This eschatological orientation characterized apostolic Christianity and should inform contemporary ministry.

Questions for Reflection