2 Timothy 4:1
What does 2 Timothy 4:1 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Timothy 4:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Timothy 4:1 means
Paul places Timothy under the highest possible accountability: God and Christ Jesus, the Judge of all. Ministry is not a human enterprise but service conducted before the One who will judge the living and the dead. Paul also frames Timothy’s work by Christ’s appearing and kingdom, reminding him that the return of Christ and the reality of Christ’s reign give urgency and gravity to every pastoral task. This charge is not merely advice; it is a solemn commission in the light of final judgment. Timothy must measure his labor, not by ease or human approval, but by the Lord’s presence now and the certainty of standing before Christ then.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I chargetheein the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
KJV
King James Version · 1611I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I chargetheein the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I 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;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I 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--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I charge thee, before God and Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, by his coming and his kingdom:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I testify beforeGod and Christ Jesus, who is about to judge living and dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom,
Context
This opening verse establishes the solemn tone for Paul’s final directives. After warning in chapter 3 about difficult days and urging fidelity to Scripture, Paul now delivers a formal charge. By invoking God, Christ Jesus, judgment, appearing, and kingdom, he anchors Timothy’s ministry in eternal realities. This sets up the specific commands that follow in verse 2 and the rationale for urgency in verses 3–5, where Paul will describe a coming rejection of sound teaching. The frame helps readers feel the weight and permanence behind what might otherwise seem like routine pastoral counsel.
v.1This passage
v.2preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 19:12
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
- Titus 2:13
looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
- Matthew 16:27
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then shall he render unto every man according to his deeds.
- Psalms 98:9
Before Jehovah; for he cometh to judge the earth: He will judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with equity.
- Psalms 96:13
Before Jehovah; for he cometh, For he cometh to judge the earth: He will judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with his truth.
- 1 John 2:28
And now, my little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
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