Survey of the Letters of Paul
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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;
The first section of Chapter 4 consists of five verses:

2 Timothy 4:1-5
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;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Let us begin with the Barclay

Paul’s Grounds of Appeal

2 Timothy 4:1–5 …paraphrased

I charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead – I charge you by his appearing and by his kingdom – herald forth the word; be urgent in season and out of season; convict, rebuke, exhort, and do it all with a patience and a teaching which never fail. For there will come a time when men will refuse to listen to sound teaching, but, because they have ears which have to be continually titillated with novelties, they will bury themselves under a mound of teachers, whose teaching suits their own lusts after forbidden things. They will avert their ears from the truth, and they will turn to extravagant tales. As for you, be steady in all things; accept the suffering which will come upon you; do the work of an evangelist; leave no act of your service unfulfilled.

As Paul comes to the end of his letter, he wants to encourage and to challenge Timothy to his task. To do so, he reminds him of three things concerning Jesus.

(1) Jesus is the judge of the living and the dead. Someday, Timothy’s work will be tested, and that by none other than Jesus himself. Christians must do every task in such a way that they can offer it to Christ. They are not concerned with either the criticism or the verdict of others. The one thing they long for is the ‘Well done!’ of Jesus Christ. If we all did our work in that spirit, the difference would be incalculable. It would save us from being so touchy that we are offended by criticism; it would save us from the self-importance which is concerned with personal rights and personal prestige; it would save us from being self-centered and demanding thanks and praise for everything we do; it would even save us from being hurt by people’s ingratitude.

(2) Jesus is the returning conqueror. ‘I charge you’, says Paul, ‘by his appearing.’ The word is epiphaneia. Epiphaneia was used in two special ways. It was used for the clear intervention of some god, and it was especially used in connection with the Roman emperor. His accession to the throne was his epiphaneia, and in particular – and this is the background of Paul’s thought here – it was used of his visit to any province or town. Obviously, when the emperor was due to visit any place, everything was put in perfect order. The streets were swept and decorated, and all work was brought up to date so that the town might be fit for epiphaneia. So, Paul says to Timothy: ‘You know what happens when any town is expecting the epiphaneia of the emperor; you are expecting the epiphaneia of Jesus Christ. Do your work in such a way that all things will be ready whenever he appears.’ Christians should order their lives in such a way that at any moment they are ready for the coming of Christ.

(3) Jesus is king. Paul urges Timothy to action by the remembrance of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. The day comes when the kingdoms of the world will be the kingdom of the Lord; and so Paul says to Timothy: ‘So live and work that you will have an honorable place on the roll of its citizens when the kingdom comes.’

Our work must be such that it will stand the scrutiny of Christ. Our lives must be such that they will welcome the appearance of the King. Our service must be such that it will demonstrate the reality of our citizenship of the kingdom of God.  ~Barclay Commentary

Now to the other commentaries.

We will begin with the general and go to the specific.

I want you to take notice that verse 1 is but one part of a longer sentence. This sentence is verses 1 and 2. Let us read it as one sentence:

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; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

I want you to have the entire sentence in your mind as we study the first part of the sentence.

Let us start now with the Matthew Henry and its commentary that covers verses 1-8. We will discuss here what it says on verse 1.

Observe,
I. How awfully [in a manner inspiring awe] this charge is introduced (2 Timothy 4:1): I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom. Observe, The best of men have need to be awed into the discharge of their duty. The work of a minister is not an indifferent thing, but absolutely necessary. Woe be to him if he preach not the gospel, 1 Corinthians 9:16. To induce him to faithfulness, he must consider,

Quoted Verse:
1 Corinthians 9:16
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

1. That the eye of God and Jesus Christ was upon him: I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ; that is, “as thou tenderest the favour of God and Jesus Christ; as thou wilt approve thyself to God and Jesus Christ, by the obligations both of natural and revealed religion; as thou wilt make due returns to the God who made thee and the Lord Jesus Christ who redeemed thee.”

2. He charges him as he will answer it at the great day, reminding him of the judgment to come [the moment of judgment], which is committed to the Lord Jesus. He shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom, that is, when he appears in his kingdom. It concerns all, both ministers and people [members-firstfruits], seriously to consider the account that they [are giving now] to Jesus Christ of all the trusts reposed in them. Christ shall judge the quick and the dead, that is, those that at the last day shall be found alive, and those who shall be raised to life out of the grave. Note,

(1.) The Lord Jesus Christ shall judge the quick and the dead. God hath committed all judgment unto the Son, and hath appointed him the Judge of quick and dead, Acts 10:42.

Quoted Verse:
Acts 10:42
And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

(2.) He will appear; he will come the second time, and it will be a glorious appearance, as the word epiphaniea signifies.

(3.) Then his kingdom shall appear in its glory: At his appearing and kingdom; for he will then appear in his kingdom, sitting on a throne, to judge the world. ~Matthew Henry

We will now go to an item in the Biblical Illustrator:

An ordination charge
I. Where faithful ministers stand—“Before God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
1. Before God.

(1) As a sinner saved by grace [calling to the Salvation Process]. Once far off, but brought nigh by the blood of Christ.

(2) As a servant. In prayer, how sweet to kneel at His footstool, no veil, no cloud between the soul and God. In preaching, how sweet to say, like Elijah, when he stood before Ahab, “I stand before the Lord God of Israel.”

2. Before Jesus Christ.
(1) The faithful minister has a present sight of Christ as his righteousness. He, like Isaiah, saw “His glory and spake of Him.”
(2) The faithful minister should feel the presence of a living Saviour (Jeremiah 1:8; Acts 18:10).

Quoted verses:
Jeremiah 1:8
Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

Acts 18:10
For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

(3) Within sight of judgment.

II. The grand business of the faithful minister.
1. Preach the Word.

(1) Not other matters [outside the gospel].
(2) The most essential parts especially [doctrine and the Salvation Process].
(3) More in the manner of God’s Word.

Note: On item (1) and the idea of "other items", we are speaking of sermons and Bible studies entirely without focus on the Word of God. Clearly reference can be made to history, science and

2. Reprove, rebuke, exhort. Most ministers [speaking of worldly ministers for the most part] are accustomed to set Christ before the people. They lay down the gospel clearly and beautifully, but they do not urge men to enter in. Now God says, exhort; not only point to the open door, but compel them to come in [this is what we do in God's true church.]

III. The manner.
1. With long-suffering. There is no grace more needed in the Christian ministry than this. This is the heart of God the Father towards sinners—“He is long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish.”

We just had a sermon on this subject: "Longanimity" [long-guh-nim-i-tee]

2. With doctrine—the clear and simple statement of the truth preceding the warm and pathetic [puh-thet-ik] exhortation.

3. With urgency. If a neighbour’s house were on fire, would we not cry aloud and use every exertion? If a friend were drowning, would we be ashamed to strain every nerve to save him?

4. At all times. Satan is busy at all times—he does not stand upon ceremony—he does not keep himself to Sabbath-days or canonical [kuh-non-i-kuh l] [authorized; recognized; accepted] hours. Death is busy. Men are dying while we are sleeping. The Spirit of God is busy [that is, God is using His power continually]. ~Biblical Illustrator

Now to the specific commentaries:

The commentaries I went to break the verse out in many different ways. We will use only Barnes Notes tonight.

I charge thee therefore before God
I charge thee therefore before God - See the notes on 1Timothy 5:21 [See Lesson].  ~Barnes Notes

Who shall judge the quick and the dead.
Who shall judge the quick and the dead - That is, the Lord Jesus; for he is to be the judge of men; Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Corinthians 5:10. The word “quick” means “living”; and the idea is, that he would be alike the judge of all who were alive when he should come, and of all who had died; see the notes on 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. In view of the fact that all, whether preachers or hearers, must give up their account to the final Judge, Paul charges Timothy to be faithful; and what is there which will more conduce to fidelity in the discharge of duty, than the thought that we must soon give up a solemn account of the manner in which we have performed it? ~Barnes Notes

Note: Understanding in the commentary text that judgment for everyone is in the Salvation Process. Firstfruits now and everyone else in the Millennium and Second Resurrection period.

Quoted verses:
Matthew 25:31-46
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

At his appearing
At his appearing - That is, the judgment shall then take place [the moment of judgment]. This must refer to a judgment yet to take place, for the Lord Jesus has not yet “appeared” the second time to men; and, if this be so, then there is to be a resurrection of the dead. On the meaning of the word rendered “appearing,” see 2 Thessalonians 2:8. It is there rendered “brightness”; compare 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 1:10; Titus 2:13. ~Barnes Notes

Note: With the appearing of Jesus on Earth, the remaining judgment is assured.

Quoted verses:
2 Thessalonians 2:8
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

1 Timothy 6:14 [See Lesson]
That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Timothy 1:10 [See Lesson]
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Titus 2:13
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

And his kingdom
And his kingdom - Or, at the setting up of his kingdom. The idea of his reigning, or setting up his kingdom, is not unfrequently associated with the idea of his coming; see Matthew 16:28. The meaning is, that, at his second advent, the extent and majesty of his kingdom will be fully displayed. It will be seen that he has control over the elements, over the graves of the dead, and over all the living. It will be seen that the earth and the heavens are under his sway, and that all things there acknowledge him as their sovereign Lord. In order to meet the full force of the language used by Paul here, it is not necessary to suppose that he will set up a visible kingdom on the earth, but only that there will be an illustrious display of himself as a king, and of the extent and majesty of the empire over which he presides: compare the Romans 14:11 note; Philippians 2:10 note. ~Barnes Notes

Quoted verses:
Matthew 16:28
Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Romans 14:11
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Philippians 2:10
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Every firstfruit has been charged before God and the Lord Jesus Christ regarding every aspect and element of the Salvation Process and this is the lesson of verse number 1.
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