Bible Strands
1 Timothy 5:21
I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses Timothy regarding church discipline and leadership appointments, following instructions on public rebuke and cautious ordination.
The words — Διαμαρτύρομαι (Diamarturomai) translates to "I earnestly testify" or "I solemnly charge," and ἐνώπιον (enōpion) means "before," establishing the command as a formal witness in the presence of God and Christ Jesus.
The thread — This charge before God and Christ Jesus also appears in 2 Timothy 4:1, while the mention of angels is cross-referenced with 2 Peter 2:4, which describes fallen angels rather than the elect.
Why it lands — The text commands impartial administration by forbidding bias and partiality, requiring leaders to apply decisions without favoritism or external pressure.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Timothy 6:13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate:
- 2 Timothy 4:1 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:
- 2 Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
- 2 Corinthians 5:16 So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
- 2 Timothy 2:14 Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
- Jude 1:6 And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, bound for judgment on that great day.
- Matthew 25:41 Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
- James 2:1 My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism.
- Leviticus 19:15 You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.