1 Timothy 6:13

¶ I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and [before] Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

I give {G3853} thee {G4671} charge {G3853} in the sight {G1799} of God {G2316}, who {G3588} quickeneth {G2227} all things {G3956}, and {G2532} before Christ {G5547} Jesus {G2424}, who {G3588} before {G1909} Pontius {G4194} Pilate {G4091} witnessed {G3140} a good {G2570} confession {G3671};

I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and before the Messiah Yeshua, who in his witness to Pontius Pilate gave the same good testimony,

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:

I 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;

Context

In 1 Timothy 6:13, the Apostle Paul issues a solemn and weighty charge to his spiritual son, Timothy. This verse is part of Paul's concluding exhortations in the letter, reinforcing the gravity of Timothy's pastoral duties and the immense responsibility of his ministry in Ephesus. The preceding verses in 1 Timothy 6 discuss the dangers of false teaching, the pursuit of godliness, and the importance of contentment, setting the stage for this powerful commission. Paul’s charge here is a direct lead-in to his command for Timothy to "keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable" (1 Timothy 6:14), emphasizing the steadfastness required in Christian leadership. This profound instruction is not just for Timothy but serves as a foundational principle for all believers called to faithfulness and witness.

Key Themes

  • Solemn Charge and Divine Accountability: Paul's command, "I give thee charge," indicates a forceful, authoritative instruction given under the highest possible witness. By invoking "the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus," Paul underscores the eternal significance and accountability of Timothy's ministry. It's a reminder that all service is performed before a divine audience.
  • God as the Life-Giver: The phrase "who quickeneth all things" highlights God's supreme power as the source and sustainer of all life. This attribute reinforces His ultimate authority and the profound seriousness of the charge given in His presence. It signifies that the God who commands is also the God who empowers and gives life to His purposes.
  • Christ's Example of Truthful Witness: Jesus' "good confession" before Pontius Pilate serves as the ultimate model for Timothy. During His trial, Christ boldly affirmed His identity and mission, even knowing it would lead to His crucifixion. This act of unwavering truthfulness in the face of adversity is presented as the standard for Timothy's own witness and steadfastness in ministry. This momentous declaration is further detailed in passages like John 18:37, where Jesus tells Pilate, "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth."

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word for "quickeneth" is zoopoieō (ζωοποιέω), which means "to make alive," "to give life to," or "to impart life." It emphasizes God's active role as the Giver of life, both physical and spiritual.
  • "Good confession" translates the Greek phrase kalēn homologian (καλὴν ὁμολογίαν). Kalēn means "beautiful," "noble," or "excellent," suggesting that Jesus' confession was not merely true but also morally exemplary and fitting for His divine person. Homologian refers to an "agreement" or "confession," indicating a public declaration of truth.

Practical Application

1 Timothy 6:13 offers profound lessons for believers today:

  • Live with Divine Awareness: We are reminded that our lives, actions, and words are always "in the sight of God." This awareness should inspire integrity, faithfulness, and earnestness in all we do, knowing that we are accountable to the One who gives and sustains all life. Hebrews 4:13 affirms that "all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."
  • Embrace Steadfast Witness: Like Christ before Pilate, believers are called to bear a "good confession" of their faith. This means standing firm in truth, even when it is unpopular, challenging, or comes with personal cost. Our witness is not just in words but in a life lived consistently with the Gospel.
  • Courage in Adversity: Jesus' example teaches us courage. If the Lord Himself stood firm in truth before His accusers, we too can find strength to uphold our convictions and share the Gospel, trusting in God's power to "quicken all things."
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 18:36

    Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

  • John 18:37

    Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

  • Matthew 27:11

    ¶ And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

  • 1 Timothy 5:21

    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.

  • Revelation 1:5

    And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

  • Revelation 3:14

    And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

  • John 5:21

    For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth [them]; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

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