Bible Strands
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:
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Timothy from prison, near the end of his life, issuing a final charge that immediately leads into the command to preach (v. 2).
The words — Διαμαρτύρομαι (diamarturomai) carries the weight of the verse: a solemn, intensified declaration, stronger than a simple "I testify," marking this as a binding charge rather than a suggestion.
The thread — The formula "before God and Christ Jesus" echoes 1 Timothy 5:21 (where elect angels are added), and "judge the living and the dead" appears in Acts 10:42; Paul's own appeal to the righteous Judge in 2 Timothy 4:8 closes the same thought.
Why it lands — The verse strips preaching of its social or professional framing and places it under divine witness: the one who preaches does so while God and Christ look on, and the standard is their judgment, not the audience's response.
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 therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
Cross-references
- Acts 10:42 And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One appointed by God to judge the living and the dead.
- 2 Timothy 4:8 From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
- 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.
- Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.
- 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.
- 1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7 and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels
- Titus 2:13 as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
- John 5:22 Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son,
- Romans 2:16 on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.