1 Timothy 6:13
What does 1 Timothy 6:13 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 6:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 6:13 means
Paul binds Timothy with a solemn charge “in the sight of God, who giveth life to all things,” and “of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession.” God’s life-giving sovereignty undergirds Timothy’s courage; Christ’s faithful testimony under pressure models endurance. When Jesus confessed truth before Pilate, He held fast despite cost. Timothy must do likewise. Ministry is conducted coram Deo—before God’s face—and under the example of the Lord. This weighty appeal lifts obedience above human approval, rooting it in the character of God and the steadfastness of Christ, who is central to the gospel Timothy is charged to preserve and proclaim.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I charge thee in the sight of God, who giveth life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession;
KJV
King James Version · 1611I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I charge thee in the sight of God, who giveth life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I give you orders before God, the giver of life, and Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate gave witness to the faith,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I charge thee, before God, who is making all things alive, and of Christ Jesus, who did testify before Pontius Pilate the right profession,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I charge thee before God who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate, a good confession:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I enjoin thee beforeGod who preserves all things in life, and Christ Jesus who witnessed before Pontius Pilate the good confession,
Context
After urging Timothy to fight and lay hold of eternal life (verse 12), Paul elevates the seriousness of the task by calling God and Christ Jesus as witnesses in verse 13. This frames the next command (verse 14) to keep the commandment spotless until Christ’s appearing. The reference to Christ’s confession before Pilate connects Timothy’s role to Jesus’ faithful witness under trial. The sequence leads naturally into a doxology (verses 15–16) that magnifies God’s sovereign kingship and transcendent glory, situating Timothy’s ministry within the grand stage of God’s rule and the certain revelation of Christ in due time.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 21:6
And he said unto me, They are come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
- 1 Samuel 2:6
Jehovah killeth, and maketh alive: He bringeth down to Sheol, and bringeth up.
- Revelation 22:1
And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,
- 1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus,
- John 19:11
Jesus answered him, Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin.
- Revelation 3:14
And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:
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