2 Timothy 4:1
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;
Study Note
Study Note
'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's final solemn commission to Timothy is explicitly framed by eschatological accountability: the ministry is conducted under the gaze of the Judge of the living and the dead. The phrase 'at his appearing and his kingdom' (epiphaneia and basileia) links Christ's second advent to the arrival of his kingdom, making the final ministry charge an eschatologically charged mandate. The following commands — preach the word, reprove, rebuke, exhort — are grounded not in ecclesiastical authority or rhetorical skill but in the reality of divine judgment, anticipating a season (verse 3) when 'sound doctrine' will be refused in favor of comfortable teaching.
Other Translations
I chargetheein the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
I do fully testify, then, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is about to judge living and dead at his manifestation and his reign--
I give you orders, before God and Christ Jesus, who will be the judge of the living and the dead, and by his revelation and his kingdom;
Cross References
And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.
Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, …
Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people …
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall …
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he …
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to …
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: